CNC Mill Conversion Part 6 - Arduino Joypad Control

A short video with detailed information on connecting up a Joypad/ Joystick to the Arduino (Sketch/program below and during the video).
I am using an old helicopter controller to control a CNC conversion project.
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This project developed through a need to speed up my Electric Vehicle Conversion Project.
This video goes through the following:
Connecting a Joypad to an Arduino Mega 2560.
Uploading a Sketch (Arduino Program) to the Arduino.
Isolating the joypad controls from the original circuit.
A circuit diagram of the Joypad and its new connections.
How to connect potentiometers (variable resistor) to an Arduino.
Reduce power consumption using high-value resistors in series.
Joypad values sent to the serial monitor for testing the controls.
Using an Arduino on a Breadboard with jumper wires.
Testing the circuit at each stage to prevent damage when switched on.
Here is a Simple Joypad joystick test Sketch that I use in the video: -
-----------------------------------------Arduino Sketch Begin---------------------------------------
int topPotPin = A0;
int topPotVal = 0;
int xAxisPin = A1;
int xAxisVal = 0;
int yAxisPin = A2;
int yAxisVal = 0;
int zAxisPin = A3;
int zAxisVal = 0;
int topSwtchPin = 46;
int topSwtchVal = 0;
int redLedPin = 50;
int yellowLedPin = 48;
void setup() {
pinMode(topSwtchPin, INPUT);
pinMode(topSwtchPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(redLedPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(yellowLedPin, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(115200);
while (!Serial) ;
}
void loop(){
topPotVal = analogRead(topPotPin);
xAxisVal = analogRead(xAxisPin);
yAxisVal = analogRead(yAxisPin);
zAxisVal = analogRead(zAxisPin);
topSwtchVal = digitalRead(topSwtchPin);
Serial.print("X-Val = ");
Serial.print(xAxisVal);
Serial.print(" Y-Val = ");
Serial.print(yAxisVal);
Serial.print(" Z-Val = ");
Serial.print(zAxisVal);
Serial.print(" Top Val = ");
Serial.println(topPotVal);
if (topSwtchVal == 0){
digitalWrite(yellowLedPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(redLedPin, LOW);
delay(500);
digitalWrite(redLedPin, HIGH);
delay(500);
digitalWrite(yellowLedPin, LOW);
digitalWrite(redLedPin, LOW);
delay(500);
digitalWrite(yellowLedPin, HIGH);
digitalWrite(redLedPin, HIGH);
delay(500);
}
}
----------------------------------------Arduino Sketch End-----------------------------------------
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[@steamskynoise]

This is a brilliant and inspirational series. I have the same mill. Whilst I suspect I'll never do anything as involved as this, it has been fascinating to watch and also some very useful techniques that I can apply to my own mill e.g. the procedure for tramming the mill properly (a few videos back in the series). Please keep going with the series and good luck with the rest of the build & coding!

[@TheSolarPoweredEngineer]

Hi Bob, thank you, there is a lot more to come 😀. I am currently working on the video for Friday and hopefully machining out some of the parts. They are very solid machines and when fully setup they are so accurate and repeatable. I measured the backlash yesterday with the new drive unit and it's only 0.12 mm. Feel free to suggest any content on the mill and I should be able to cover it 👍

[@Build_the_Future]

I know KZbin is slow going when you first start out but I hope you keep it up at least once a week.

[@TheSolarPoweredEngineer]

Hi Eric, same here I am currently working on another video that shows some milling with the Arduino and Joypad. All is working well, although it does take a while to set-up, film, do the work and edit it. I am getting faster though every time, this video should be out next Friday. Glad you are enjoying them.