How To Control A Servo With A Switch?

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Read this article, and you will be able to learn the tricks of controlling the servo. Do not miss the point till the end of the article!

A Servo Motor

A servo motor is mainly a rotary or linear actuator designed to control precise angles, velocity, linear position, or acceleration. A sensor is used for these motors to take position feedback. It also needs a sophisticated controller to maintain its closed-loop system. Typically, motor manufacturers are known for using them in robotics, automated manufacturing, or CNG machinery.

Types of Control

You heard about controlling the servo motors, but what type of control do you want? First of all, you have to know the variations of the control system.

1. You can control the servo with a pair of buttons. The buttons will be used to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise separately.
2. You can press and hold the button, which will direct the motor clockwise until it reaches its limit.
3. Also, you can do it similar way to direct the motor counterclockwise until the motor reaches its limit.
4. You can set the amount of particular direction, which means you can select the angles. All you need to do is to tap a button and release it.
5. The Arduino can be used to reset the servo motor’s position in the middle of its arc of movement.

Tools You Will Need

Before you get control of a servo motor, you will need some tools to do the tricks. Here are the lists of the tools which is necessary to build the control the system of servo motor:

• 10K Ohm resistors (amount-06)
• Push-button switches (amount-06)
• Standard servo motors (amount-03)
• 4 AA battery (one pack)
• Breadboard (amount-01)
• Arduino Uno (amount-01)
• USB cable (amount-01)
• Male to male jumper cables (amount- based on your design)
• Male to female jumper cables (amount-based on your design)
• Breakaway header pins

You will easily find these tools in any e-commerce website or electronics shop. Now let’s get to the control system.

How to Control a Servo with a Switch?

To build up the control system, you will need to follow these steps in a sequence.

Step 1 – Choose the Variation of Switch

The first thing you need to do is get the breadboard, insert the resistors, and push buttons. The button configuration differs from 3:1 or 4:2 variations.

Step 2 – Insert the Resistors

The resistors need to connect pin 3 of push buttons to the Arduino line. On the other hand, the black cables should be connected to pin 1 of the pushbuttons to the ground. There is no need for any sequence as long as it goes into the correct hole.

Step 3 – Install Servo Motors

Now, you have to install the servo motor. Use the male-to-male wires with male-to-female wires to connect the motor with the circuit. You can also expand the length of the circuit using these jumper cables if you want to. Typically, they come in handy while working on robotics.

Step 4 – Secure Cable Connection

The power and ground cables from the motor need to connect to the bottom power rails. That is because the servo motors will be powered by external batteries.

Step 5 – Connect Arduino

It’s time to connect the Arduino with the circuit and with the servo motors. Get a male-to-male jumper cable and connect it to the servo motor’s signal pin. The other end should be connected with the Arduino at digital in pin. Then get another two cables to connect the Arduino with the breadboard.

Step 6 – Connect Pushbuttons with Arduino

Then get some jumper wires to connect the pushbuttons with the Arduino. The number connection will depend on which type of command you want. For example, you want the motor will direct only clockwise and stop at its limit. Therefore, one switch button is enough for the circuit.

Step 7 – Check the Cables

In this step, the circuit might seem a little bit messy. You have to ensure that the cables are hooked up properly. Otherwise, you will notice some unexpected things by pressing the buttons.

Step 8 – Power Up the Circuit

Configure the batteries you will need in a series and connect them with the circuit to power up.

Step 9 – Install the Program to The Arduino

Now, you have to install the software program into the Arduino. It will be better if you set the Arduino before you connect it to the circuit. Well, even if you install the program, it will not make a difference. First of all, you have to choose the type of control and then find the program according to it. The program is available online.  You can program it by yourself, or a friend can help you with that.

Step 10 – Confirm the Program of Main Loop

By Arduino programming, you have to set the variables, digital pins, and the main loop. After that, your motor is ready to roll. You should check by doing some test runs before you install it in your projects.

Some Precautions You Need to be Aware of

When you see the servo motor is at its limit, please do not force it in that direction, or it will be damaged. Always use an external power source for the servo motors, or it can damage the Arduino. Another thing to notice is the flexibility of the wire connections. If not, then the circuit may break anytime.

Final Words

A servo motor is handy for industrial or personal projects. If you can control it properly, it will give you efficient results.

The discussion of the article should clear the concept of how to control a servo with a switch. Be careful while you are completing the circuits and follow the rules—best of luck to you!