Use a uni-polar stepper in place of a bi-polar stepper

Question

I have an instructables ( Frameless Laser Harp ) that I attempted to build about 6 months ago, but failed as it was too advanced for me then. Now I think I really understand what is happening and realized that I have a unipolar stepper when the instructables calls for what I can only assume is a 6 wire bi-polar stepper, as it uses a uln2003a(a bi-polar stepper driver). Is there any way to get this project to work with my 4-wire unipolar stepper? ( https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10551 ). I assumed I would need a different stepper driver, so what should I be looking for?

balearicdynamics · Accepted Answer

Gabriel, I think that you should try to find a scenario on how the stepepr motors (bipolar and unipolar) works. First of all, divide the problem in two smaller and easier problems. Just as I have done, google "arduino unipolar stepper ( https://www.google.nl/search?q=arduino+unipolar+stepper+four+wires&espv=2&biw=1429&bih=911&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa… ) and then try to understand by yourself what does it means. You should not limit yourself to copy and paste circuits and sources but use the project you want making changes and adjustments, just as the opportunity to understand something new. As you search for specific circuits with Arduino, you will find also some source code example. So try it and first of all solve the motor problem. Understand and discover how to move it, change direction, speed, etc. Then, get the project code and try to replace the motor management part with your code, that will move exactly your motor. IMHO it is better than try to find exactly what you need already done by someone else. Enrico

Use a uni-polar stepper in place of a bi-polar stepper

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