Project 3: Controlling Stepper Motor Using Push Button STPB-1 – 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor

This article is part of the 8-project tutorial series demonstrating how to control the 28BYJ-48 stepper motor with Arduino. In Project 3, we introduce the first push-button-based control using a momentary button labeled STPB-1. The button is used to trigger motor rotation with a single press.

All source code and the wiring diagram for this project can be found below the article.

📘 Introduction

This project builds on the previous ones by incorporating physical input through a push button. When the user presses the button once, the motor executes one full revolution. This technique is essential in scenarios requiring manual activation of a motion process, such as moving a platform, feeding a component, or advancing a mechanical stage.

⚙️ Wiring Diagram

In addition to the ULN2003 and stepper motor wiring from Projects 1 and 2, the following new connection is added:

• One terminal of the push button (STPB-1) connects to Arduino pin 2

• The other terminal connects to GND

• A pull-up resistor is configured internally in code

Caption: Wiring diagram showing ULN2003 motor control and STPB-1 push button input to pin 2.

💻 Code Explanation

The code uses digital input to detect a button press and trigger motor movement:

1. Stepper and Pin Setup:

#include <Stepper.h>
const int stepsPerRevolution = 2048;
Stepper myStepper(stepsPerRevolution, 8, 10, 9, 11);
const int buttonPin = 2;

2. Setup Function:

void setup() {
  myStepper.setSpeed(10);
  pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

• Uses INPUT_PULLUP to simplify wiring (no external resistor needed).

3. Loop Function:

void loop() {
  if (digitalRead(buttonPin) == LOW) {
    myStepper.step(stepsPerRevolution);
    delay(1000); // Prevent accidental double trigger
  }
}

• Detects a button press (LOW state due to pull-up logic)

• Rotates motor one full revolution forward per press

🎬 Timestamps from Full Video

To watch this project in the tutorial video, use the timestamps below:

• 35:48 – Project 3: Wiring explained

• 37:45 – Project 3: Code explained

• 39:59 – Project 3: Demonstration

📁 Download Section

You’ll find the source code and wiring diagram for this project below the article. This setup is a great starting point for triggering motion in user-controlled applications.

Next up is [Project 4: Push Button STPB-2 – Hold to Run Mode].