Stepper motor control via serial

[Carl Gilbert]

Hi
I have a stepper motor and PCB from www.milinst.com and have connect the
device to my PC through the serial. When using the downloadable application
for the device, I receive a comms error.

Does anyone know how to send data to the device to get the motor to turn?

Regards, Carl Gilbert



Device manual: http://www.milinst.com/gemodules/5_595.pdf

 

[hamilton]

Carl,

I have never used this device. However, some basics are needed.

Before we can even try to help you, you must tell us something about
your setup.

What OS are you using ?
Are you using the software that came with the unit ?
Are you trying to write your own PC software ?
Is everything plugged in ?

The manual you linked to says it communicated via a serial port.
Are you plugged into the correct serial port ?

How do you know you are getting a comm error ?
Whats the error message ?

Inquiring minds want to know........

 

[Tim Dicus]

Hi
I have a stepper motor and PCB from www.milinst.com and have connect the
device to my PC through the serial. When using the downloadable application
for the device, I receive a comms error.

Does anyone know how to send data to the device to get the motor to turn?

Regards, Carl Gilbert



Device manual: http://www.milinst.com/gemodules/5_595.pdf

Hi Carl,

A comms error is vague. Is there any other info with the error message? Which program is giving you the error?

What program are you using to attempt to turn the motor? HyperTerminal? Insure setting agree with the format below.

Check the following:

Insure you have it connected to the correct serial port (COM1 or COM2 for examples),

Insure the cable is not a null-modem cable,

Insure you have a good power supply to the board,

That flow control is disabled (no hardware or software flow control),

The format is 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.

Tim

 

[Carl Gilbert]

A comms error is vague. Is there any other info with the error message?
Which program is giving you the error?

What program are you using to attempt to turn the motor? HyperTerminal?

Insure setting agree with the format below.

Error message: "Comms Timeout 001" which accoring to the manual states that
no signal has been received to say that the device has received the command.

http://www.milinst.com >> General Modules >> Bipolar Stepper Driver Set

Device manual >> http://www.milinst.com/gemodules/5_595.pdf

Device SW >> http://www.milinst.com/admin/stepper.zip

The link to the software above is a very basic package that allows you to
define the settings of the comms port and then communicate with the device.

Insure you have it connected to the correct serial port (COM1 or COM2 for examples),
Insure the cable is not a null-modem cable,
Insure you have a good power supply to the board,
That flow control is disabled (no hardware or software flow control),
The format is 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.

Set to COM2 which the deice is plugged into, power is via a 13.8V 3A
(www.maplin.co.uk >> XM20W)
Flow control disabled, format is 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop
bit.

The only thing I am unsure of is the cable.

www.lindy.com
Serial Extension Cable (9DM/9DF), 2m. Part #31519
9 Way D Male to 9 Way D Female
Fully moulded
Also CGA/EGA monitor extension cable
10 year warranty

 

[Tim Dicus]

Which program is giving you the error?
Insure setting agree with the format below.

Error message: "Comms Timeout 001" which accoring to the manual states that
no signal has been received to say that the device has received the command.

http://www.milinst.com >> General Modules >> Bipolar Stepper Driver Set

Device manual >> http://www.milinst.com/gemodules/5_595.pdf

Device SW >> http://www.milinst.com/admin/stepper.zip

The link to the software above is a very basic package that allows you to
define the settings of the comms port and then communicate with the device.


Set to COM2 which the deice is plugged into, power is via a 13.8V 3A
(www.maplin.co.uk >> XM20W)
Flow control disabled, format is 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop
bit.

The only thing I am unsure of is the cable.

www.lindy.com
Serial Extension Cable (9DM/9DF), 2m. Part #31519
9 Way D Male to 9 Way D Female
Fully moulded
Also CGA/EGA monitor extension cable
10 year warranty

Hi Carl,

Your cable should be ok.

I would recommend using HyperTerminal for testing as the manual suggests. If you haven't used it before, it is a good thing to know.
I test most RS232 projects with it.

Let me know what HyperTerminal does when you try it. If you get the same error or similar, it could be a hardware or jumper
challenge on your project board. Check the jumpers. Insure they are correct.

Tim

 

[Carl Gilbert]

I would recommend using HyperTerminal for testing as the manual suggests. If you haven't used it before, it is a good thing to know.

I test most RS232 projects with it.

Hi Tim
Cheers for the quick reply.

So I go into run>>hypertrm, type my name for a new connection, select
COM2 which takes me to the COM2 Properties window.

BPS - 9600
Data bits - 8
Parity - none
Stop bits - 1
Flow control - none

Then click 'Ok'

And thats as far as I can get!

I have tried sending a .txt file but I don't know what to put in the
file.
There is also other options talking about X, Y & Z modems but I think
the sending of a .txt file should do it.

The only thing I can get this program to do is show a giant "S" prompt
when I turn the device on. This disappears when the device is turned
off.

Hopefully you know what i'm talking about as I don't!

Regards, Carl.