automation using steppers

Hi Sourabh,

If you intend to operate one stepper at a time, you only need a single DIRECTION pin and 1 STEP/PULSE per stepper (total of 21 outputs).

If you intend to run the motor at a specific speed, each STEP pin will need a PWM timer behind it.

We will contact our MCU group for recommendations.

Hello Sourabh,

in case of a simple stepper motor implementation, please check this E2E thread, there is an implementation example with MSP430FR2111. This is just one of many options.

Best regards

Peter

Hello Peter,

I went through this thread. My main concern is how can i connect 20 steppers to one MCU. As these MCUs don't have large quantity of GPIOs. And how to connect a HMI with it.

Hello Sourabh,

well of course you need to select a derivative which has respective resources, required to drive as many stepper motors, or use multiple MCUs. It depends also on the quality/requirements of the required stepper motor drive, e.g. should it be simultaneous or not.

In terms of the HMI, the question would be what kind of HMI do you have in mind. If it would be capacitive sensing HMI I'd recommend you looking for CapTIvate and MSP430 on our webpage.

Best regards

Peter

Hello Peter,

I have figured it out. And i am planning to use rs485 to control the stepper drivers. And I'll need. Human interface with 15 buttons and also it must show all the datas(graphically). So can you suggest any MCU that i should use for this application. Or will i have to use a single board computer for this sort of human interface.

Hello Sourabh,

if the HMI should be with capacitive sensing, e.g. MSP430FR2633, or MSP430FR2676 would be the currently biggest MSP430 with our modern capacitive sensing technology, called CapTIvate. If simple mechanical buttons should be the HMI elements, then of course any MSP430 with 15 GPIOs with interrupt capability would be sufficient, means basically every MSP430.

The more difficult question is the point on the graphical output. Here mainly the question is on the complexity, means resolution, color palett and number of different graphics defines the amount of memory, required for the job. But his question is rather something for the display supplier, to figure out the required memory size. With the knowledge of that value, you can then select the fitting MSP430. The other option would be using an external e.g. FLASH memory for the storage of the graphics, and connect the external memory e.g. by SPI to the MSP430.

Best regards

Peter