Quixote_1
Active Member
Greetings all,
I am looking for help on interfacing some stepper motors that I found online to my Elk in the simplest, most cost effective way possible.
The goal is to control the motors using RS485 or RS232 commands, presumably with ASCII strings. The stepper motors (found here: http://www.anaheimautomation.com/products/...pt=t&cID=50 ), "include built-in microstep driver electronics, eliminating the need for motor wiring and hookup. The 17MDSI series also contains a simple indexer/controller with RS485 communications."
The same company sells an RS232 to RS485 converter that enables you to send commands straight to the motors through a computer's serial port. You can daisy-chain motors from one serial converter and control them individually by using an indexer command in the string.
I would like to know if I can use the ELK-MB485 RS-232 to RS-485 Data Converter ( http://elkproducts.com/products/elk-mb485.htm ) instead of the one sold by the motor manufacturer, attached to a ELK-M1XSP serial expander ( http://elkproducts.com/products/m1/M1XSP.htm ) in order to send RS232 commands with ASCII strings.
This would open up a world of Elk-driven robotics; from motorized spice racks -- think of the WAF :rofl: -- to automated blinds or sun-tracking solar panel racks.
I look forward to any pieces of knowledge you can contribute on how the aforementioned Elk components function and whether or not my plan is even possible.
I am looking for help on interfacing some stepper motors that I found online to my Elk in the simplest, most cost effective way possible.
The goal is to control the motors using RS485 or RS232 commands, presumably with ASCII strings. The stepper motors (found here: http://www.anaheimautomation.com/products/...pt=t&cID=50 ), "include built-in microstep driver electronics, eliminating the need for motor wiring and hookup. The 17MDSI series also contains a simple indexer/controller with RS485 communications."
The same company sells an RS232 to RS485 converter that enables you to send commands straight to the motors through a computer's serial port. You can daisy-chain motors from one serial converter and control them individually by using an indexer command in the string.
I would like to know if I can use the ELK-MB485 RS-232 to RS-485 Data Converter ( http://elkproducts.com/products/elk-mb485.htm ) instead of the one sold by the motor manufacturer, attached to a ELK-M1XSP serial expander ( http://elkproducts.com/products/m1/M1XSP.htm ) in order to send RS232 commands with ASCII strings.
This would open up a world of Elk-driven robotics; from motorized spice racks -- think of the WAF :rofl: -- to automated blinds or sun-tracking solar panel racks.
I look forward to any pieces of knowledge you can contribute on how the aforementioned Elk components function and whether or not my plan is even possible.