Unlocking the Power of the MG995 Continuous Servo Motor with Arduino

Introduction to the MG995 Continuous Servo Motor

When it comes to robotics and DIY projects, motors are the heartbeat of the system, powering everything from wheels to arms. Among the many types of motors available, the MG995 continuous servo motor stands out due to its powerful torque, precision, and ease of integration with platforms like Arduino. In this article, we’ll explore the MG995 continuous servo motor, how to control it using Arduino, and how you can apply this knowledge to create exciting and innovative projects.

What is the MG995 Continuous Servo Motor?

The MG995 is a high-performance continuous rotation servo motor, designed specifically for applications that require precise movement control. Unlike standard servos that rotate within a limited range (usually 180°), the MG995 is capable of continuous rotation in either direction. This makes it an ideal choice for projects where you need to achieve rotational movement, such as moving wheels on robots or controlling mechanical arms.

A continuous servo differs from a traditional servo in that it uses a standard PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal to determine its speed and direction of rotation rather than an angle. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for autonomous projects, such as robots, cameras, and even drones.

The MG995 is known for its robust torque and reliability, making it suitable for a variety of applications. It typically operates at a voltage of 4.8V to 6.0V and can produce a torque of around 9-10 kg/cm, depending on the voltage applied. This makes it suitable for light to medium-duty tasks, where high torque is necessary to handle loads or carry out heavy tasks.

Understanding the Basics of Servo Motors

Before diving deeper into the specifics of controlling the MG995, it’s important to have a general understanding of how servo motors work. At its core, a servo motor is an electromechanical device that uses a feedback system to precisely control its position, speed, and direction. The motor is typically controlled by an external controller, such as an Arduino, which sends PWM signals to the servo’s control wire.

For standard servo motors, the pulse width of the PWM signal corresponds to the desired angle of rotation. However, for continuous rotation servos like the MG995, the PWM signal controls the motor’s speed and direction instead. The longer the pulse, the faster the motor will rotate in one direction; conversely, a shorter pulse will make the motor rotate in the opposite direction.

One of the key features of the MG995 is its ability to perform well in a variety of conditions, making it suitable for use in both hobbyist and professional robotic applications. Whether you’re building a simple wheeled robot or a complex mechanical arm, the MG995 offers the reliability and power necessary to execute smooth, continuous motion.

Why Use the MG995 with Arduino?

The Arduino platform is a popular choice for DIYers and hobbyists due to its simplicity and flexibility. With its easy-to-use IDE and vast community of developers, Arduino has become the go-to option for controlling electronic devices, including motors. When combined with the MG995 continuous servo motor, Arduino allows for precise control over the motor’s speed and direction, making it ideal for robotic applications.

Using an Arduino board to control the MG995 is straightforward. The Arduino can send PWM signals to the motor, adjusting the speed and direction based on the code you write. Additionally, since the MG995 is a standard servo motor, you don’t need complex circuitry or additional drivers to make it work—just a few jumper wires and a basic power supply are all that’s needed.

With that said, let’s dive into the practical side of using the MG995 continuous servo motor with Arduino, where we will show you step-by-step how to get it up and running.

How to Control the MG995 Continuous Servo Motor with Arduino

Materials Needed

To get started with controlling the MG995 continuous servo motor with an Arduino, you’ll need the following materials:

1x MG995 continuous servo motor

1x Arduino board (e.g., Arduino Uno)

Jumper wires

External power supply (optional but recommended for more consistent performance)

Breadboard (optional)

The power supply is important to note because the MG995 servo motor can draw quite a bit of current, especially when operating under load. If you’re using the Arduino’s 5V pin to power the servo, you might experience brownouts or insufficient power. To avoid this, consider using an external 5V power supply or battery pack to power the motor.

Wiring the MG995 Servo Motor to the Arduino

Wiring the MG995 to the Arduino is a straightforward task. The servo has three wires: power (usually red), ground (usually black or brown), and signal (usually yellow or orange).

Power (Red): Connect the red wire from the servo to the positive terminal of your power supply (5V).

Ground (Black or Brown): Connect the black (or brown) wire from the servo to the ground (GND) of the Arduino and the ground of your power supply.

Signal (Yellow or Orange): Connect the signal wire from the servo to one of the PWM-capable pins on your Arduino (e.g., pin 9 or 10).

Once your hardware is wired up, you can move on to writing the code that will control the servo motor.

Writing the Arduino Code

Here’s an example of simple Arduino code to control the speed and direction of the MG995 continuous servo motor:

#include

Servo myServo; // Create a Servo object to control the motor

void setup() {

myServo.attach(9); // Attach the servo signal to pin 9

}

void loop() {

// Rotate clockwise at full speed

myServo.write(180);

delay(2000); // Rotate for 2 seconds

// Stop the servo

myServo.write(90);

delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second

// Rotate counterclockwise at full speed

myServo.write(0);

delay(2000); // Rotate for 2 seconds

// Stop the servo again

myServo.write(90);

delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second

}

How the Code Works:

Library Inclusion: We use the Servo.h library to simplify the code for controlling the servo motor. The library provides easy-to-use functions like attach() and write(), which allow for precise control over the motor.

Servo Object: We create a Servo object named myServo to represent the motor. This object will control the motor’s behavior.

Setup Function: In the setup() function, we attach the servo to pin 9 of the Arduino. This tells the Arduino which pin the servo’s signal wire is connected to.

Loop Function: The loop() function runs repeatedly. Here, we use the write() function to send a PWM signal to the servo:

180: Full clockwise rotation

90: Stop (neutral position)

0: Full counterclockwise rotation

The delay() function is used to pause the program between actions, allowing you to see the motor move in one direction, stop, and then reverse.

Advanced Servo Control

While the basic code above is perfect for simple movement, you can modify it for more advanced control. For example, you can adjust the speed of the motor by gradually changing the PWM signal from 0 to 180 instead of jumping directly to those values. This technique gives you smoother acceleration and deceleration for more realistic motion in robotic applications.

Additionally, you can add sensors or inputs (such as a joystick or potentiometer) to control the motor dynamically, enabling interaction between your servo and the environment. For example, you could build a robot that moves based on sensor feedback or use the motor to control a pan-and-tilt mechanism for a camera.

By understanding the MG995 continuous servo motor and how to control it with Arduino, you’re equipped to tackle a wide range of robotic and automation projects. Whether you’re building a simple wheeled robot, a camera gimbal, or a more advanced robotic arm, the MG995 offers the power and reliability you need to bring your creations to life.

Kpower has delivered professional drive system solutions to over 500 enterprise clients globally with products covering various fields such as Smart Home Systems, Automatic Electronics, Robotics, Precision Agriculture, Drones, and Industrial Automation.