Using DC motors to replace steppers on x and y axis

Here is a new project of running a 3d printer with cheap DC servo motors. It was developed by misan from Spain and he used it successfully on x and y axis of his Prusa I3. Dc motors are controlled by Arduino Uno and the project is based on "servostrap" project. DC motors are cheap and can be found and salvaged in recyclable or scrap electronic device such as paper printers and others.

He made the code and bracket designs available. Thnx misan!

DC servo motor powering y axis of Prusa I3

You can find all the files and code here:

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/dc-motor-closed-loop-control-software

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:618042

Here are the files for y-axis DC motor drive:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:620183


Here is video of stepper motor and servo running together:




Here is a video of DC servo motor powering the x-axis:



Here is a video of DC servo motors powering the x- and y-axis:



Project description:

This program uses an Arduino for a closed-loop control of a DC-motor.

• Motor motion is detected by a quadrature encoder.

• Two inputs named STEP and DIR allow changing the target position.

• Serial port prints current position and target position every second.

• Serial input can be used to feed a new location for the servo (no CR LF).

Pins used:

• Digital inputs 2 & 8 are connected to the two encoder signals (AB).

• Digital input 3 is the STEP input.

• Analog input 0 is the DIR input.

• Digital outputs 5 & 6 control the PWM outputs for the motor (I am using half L298 here).

• Please note PID gains kp, ki, kd need to be tuned to each different setup.