arduino + 5 servos do I need controller chip?

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Bwallace
 
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arduino + 5 servos do I need controller chip?

Post by Bwallace »

Hi,

I'm looking to make a robotic hand with moving fingers and thumb.

I'm working with the Arduino duemilanova 386 + flex sensors and 5 micro servos. Having problem trying to find info on the parts I will need.

Do I need a chip or shield for this and if so which one?

If you have any info were I might find info on this project then please do let me know.

Thanks for your help,

Paul

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: arduino + 5 servos do I need controller chip?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

You do not need a chip. You can drive servos from any digital pin using the Servo library included with the Arduino IDE.
This tutorial shows how to hook up a single servo. But for 5 servos you will want to power them separately from the Arduino to avoid problems with 'brownouts' and electrical noise from the motors.

You can cannibalize some servo extension cables to build a wiring harness, but the protoshield will make a neater package (and probably be cheaper). The power and ground strips down the center are perfect for setting up a row of servo connection headers.

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