Uln2003 Stepper motor controller help

[Enns]

I just got a better look at the laptop and it does have a 25 pin connector!

 

[CDRIVE]

The board you ordered on Ebay will accept input data from an LPT or USB port, so it's not an issue either way..

Chris

 

[Enns]

The 25 pin connector is the same thing as an lpt

 

[CDRIVE]

LPT is an old term for a printer port. The DB25 was used for both Serial and LPT. If it's on a PC and it's Female it's a Printer Port. If it's Male then it's a Serial Port. Most PC's dropped the DB25 for Serial Port use in favor of the DB9 many years ago.

Chris

 

[Enns]

The laptop had a purple female connection

 

[CDRIVE]

Then it's a printer (LPT) port.

Chris

 

[Enns]

Hello, i have had an idea for the cnc for a while and it is a laser. i plan on using this schematic to run a laser that i got from a disk drive

 

[Enns]

And would it work to hook it up to the relay on the breakout board. (this is a diagram of the board)

 

[CDRIVE]

And would it work to hook it up to the relay on the breakout board. (this is a diagram of the board)

Are you saying that you received the board? If so is this the only info that was supplied with it?

Chris

 

[Enns]

No I found this on a website

 

[CDRIVE]

Let us know when you receive your board. In the interim you need something to occupy your mind. Perhaps you should spend some time learning how to communicate with the printer port.
Do you have a bunch of LEDs and 470 Ohm to 1KOhm resistors on hand?

Chris

 

[Enns]

I have 330 ohm and 100 5mm LEDs

 

[CDRIVE]

That will do fine. Do you have a protoboard?

Chris

 

[Enns]

Yes, i do indeed

 

[CDRIVE]

That's good. What's the OS on the PC?

Chris

 

[Enns]

It is windows xp but I know how to change it to Linux or any other. What do you think Is the best one for cnc? And another question is how do I program it to only go the steppers to only go the distance of my machine. I've already installed a limit switch but I'm still not aware how to do it.

 

[CDRIVE]

It is windows xp but I know how to change it to Linux or any other. What do you think Is the best one for cnc? And another question is how do I program it to only go the steppers to only go the distance of my machine. I've already installed a limit switch but I'm still not aware how to do it.

Josh, the first thing you want to do is garner an understanding of the LPT and how to communicate with it. I did a search for you and was fortunate to hit on this page first.
http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/qblpt.htm

Quick Basic runs in DOS. Perhaps Fish can give you some pointers on partitioning your drive to install true DOS. The DOS console that runs under Windows in XP has not worked well for me when running QB. It will also be a heck of a lot faster when running in true DOS.

The reason I asked you about the LEDs, Resistors and the Protoboard is because I think that learning some basic commands & control using Quick Basic is essential for you. Using the basics on that page should enable you to get your feet wet. The LEDs will be used as Status Indicators. You will be wiring a LED and resistor to each output pin.

You can also make or purchase a LoopBack Tester. It will enable you to send an output command and read the result as an input to the port. The result will be displayed in a Print Statement that you write in code.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/200964021114#

Chris