A Graphical User Interface for Programming Stepper Motors Used at Different Kinds of Applications

Stepper motors are a digital actuator whose input is in the form of programmed energization of the stator windings and whose output is in the form of discrete angular rotation. It is, therefore, ideally suited for use as an actuator in computer control systems, digital control systems and etc. Control systems employing stepper motors as actuators are known as incremental motion control systems. In this study both a GUI and a programming page driven from Matlab program are developed for programming and controlling different types of stepper motors at different drive modes. The parallel port of a PC is used to drive stepper motors. By means of this software, stepper motors having up to 8-separate-excitating signal can be programmable and controllable easily. In the software many different rotational motions are defined as built–in functions. In addition, it provides that the user can define new built-in functions, too. It can be, also, considered as a learning aid system for students to get a comprehensive understanding of stepper motors.