Joystick control of stepper(s), noob in over head

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the challenge of controlling the direction and speed of servos or stepper motors using a two-axis joystick for a remote control camera head application. Participants explore various motor types and their suitability for the task, as well as the necessary components for building the control system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a lack of experience in advanced electronics but is eager to learn how to control servos with a joystick.
  • Another participant suggests considering linear motors and relays to reverse polarity for direction control, questioning if the original poster has the servo motors already.
  • A participant raises the idea of using stepper motors instead of servos, expressing uncertainty about the functionality of linear motors.
  • There is a clarification that a stepper motor can function as a servo motor depending on its application, and the suitability of linear motors is discussed based on the required range of motion.
  • One participant notes that servos provide feedback for precise positioning, which may not be necessary for the original poster's application, suggesting that stepper motors might be more appropriate for controlling speed without losing torque.
  • Concerns are raised about the limitations of gear motors at low speeds and their load capacity compared to higher speeds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best type of motor to use (servos, steppers, or linear motors) and the implications of each choice for the application. There is no consensus on which motor type is definitively better for the intended use.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various motor types and their characteristics, but there are unresolved questions about the specific requirements for the camera head application and the original poster's familiarity with the components involved.

edinc90
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So I know I am getting in over my head here, which is why I haven't started anything. I have never done any advanced electronics work, but I know what resistors, capacitors, ICs, and the like are. I can't design a circuit aside from a switch and an LED, but I can build them. Ok, enough of that.
What I'm trying to do is control the direction and speed of 2 servos with a two axis joystick (most likely from a game controller, as joysticks are hard to find otherwise.) I have found designs for servo controllers that use a computer, but that won't work for me. The application will be a remote control camera head, and being tethered to a computer makes it too awkward to use.
I've looked through the forum, and this issue has been covered before, but nothing with any definitive answers. What I gather is that I need a joystick, a servo controller, and a way to have the joystick talk to the controller. I really don't know where to start, but am not opposed to learning stuff. Thanks in advance.
 
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Do you already have these servo motors in your possession? If you are just trying to pan and tilt a camera I would look for some linear motors and when you find something that mechanically suits you get back to us. Summarized, what will happen is you will use some relays to reverse the polarity to the linear motors to change direction. The relays will be controlled by your joystick.
 
I was originally thinking stepper motors, but would servos work better? Linear motors sound like an interesting idea, but I'm having a hard time visualizing how they would work...
 
I think you may need to look up a few definitions. A stepper motor can be a servo motor. A servo motor is defined as such by its application. Depending on how far you need to pan and tilt your camera a linear motor may or may not work. It could be configured as a rack and pinion type of thing or if you don't need to pan and tilt that far just a couple of levers. Also, look into gear motors.
 
So a servo just has a feedback circuit for exact positioning, right? I don't need exact positioning like a servo would give me, I just need to be able to control the speed of the motor without losing torque. By my understanding that's what steppers allow you to do. Also, servos only rotate so far, so I would have to open it up and remove the potentiometer. Wouldn't that just give me a regular old motor?
Gear motors I've read have a problem with slow speeds and not being able to move the same load that they can at higher speeds.
 

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