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IndustryArena Forum > OpenSource CNC Design Center > Arduino > replacing garage door motor with stepper
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    1414

    replacing garage door motor with stepper

    My local astronomy club came to me with a problem. The retractable 10' roof had a VERY old screw style garage door opener. We have gone back and forth with contractors to repair (because the motor was very old and we can't find a replacement. Also we ruled out replacing with conventional garage doors because we would have to do way more work.


    So I volunteered to mount a stepper motor to replace the other small motor. I have some experience in this style of motion control having build a CNC from scratch. However building the machine for me was the easy part, making it move was another. Mach 3 software was already out there, and to make a long story short I volunteered myself to solve the problem. I have also built an auto focuser from an arduino (again using others programming) so I have loaded an existing code into an arduino. In both instances (my CNC & Auto-focuser) computers/software control the stepper motors. I dont think anyone wants to have to donate a computer to act as a simple garage door opener.

    I am almost done mounting the Nema 23 stepper (which I had) to a helical coupler, and I have an arduino board. What I need is a power supply, and a motor controller. What we ultimately want, is to press a button and the stepper spins until it hits a limit switch to indicate the door is completely closed or opened.

    I was wondering if anyone would have any advice on how to accomplish this?

    The main reason I want to go this route, is steppers are cheap, easily found and replaceable. All components can fit in a project box and are replaceable. I can arguably get a few arduino's and pre-program them should that particular component fail.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    409

    Re: replacing garage door motor with stepper

    You need a stepper motor controller that acts on keys.

    grbl_ESP32 is a grbl based controller that can execute gcode macro's when a switch is activated. You could use 2 switches to activate 2 macros. A macro is a simple gcode command line that moves the stepper to a position at a defined rate like "G91 X100 F30" move the X-axis +100 mm at 30mm/min.

    Have a look at their WiKi https://github.com/bdring/Grbl_Esp32/wiki/Macro-Button-Feature


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    38

    Re: replacing garage door motor with stepper

    A pulse generator to send a signal to the stepper driver, limit switches, industrial door opener switch and some relays. No need for an audrino. How big of a stepper motor is needed to replace a 1/4-1/2 hp garage door motor?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: replacing garage door motor with stepper

    A PLC can do what you want.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    5717

    Re: replacing garage door motor with stepper

    Even better, look for 'stepper speed controller' on Amazon or eBay. <$15 These will do exactly what you want when combined with a power supply and stepper diver.
    Jim Dawson
    Sandy, Oregon, USA

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    1414

    Re: replacing garage door motor with stepper

    Quote Originally Posted by HCE View Post
    A pulse generator to send a signal to the stepper driver, limit switches, industrial door opener switch and some relays. No need for an audrino. How big of a stepper motor is needed to replace a 1/4-1/2 hp garage door motor?
    no idea. The door isn't lifting off the ground, its sliding off a roof. Its an observatory roof cover. I figure since my CNC motor can lift my tormach head vertical with no problems, it can slide a screw driven garage door along some rails.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Posts
    6248

    Re: replacing garage door motor with stepper

    Hi Nate- since your into Arduino try this... I suggest you put a torque wrench on the drive screw and estimate the torque required before you commit to the stepper system. Then you will know what torque you need to move the thing Peter

    https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/L...erSpeedControl

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