Hello all and apologies in advance if this is in the wrong forum section.

I'm an apprentice and have been asked to create a 3 axis machine which will be used for teaching/innovation events in the future but is also being used for my own learning.

The system will pick up a ball bearing, move to a drop off position, drop off the ball and then once that ball has rolled to another position it will pick it up from there and place in another until it rolls to the home and the cycle will be repeated. 

I've been asked to use stepper motors and use sensors for the system rather than using servos with encoders as they want us to the learn the basics of controls systems. I've been told to use a Siemens PLC which I've chosen a Siemens 1214 DC/DC/DC with 3 analogue output modules each with 4 outputs for the 3 stepper motors.

Am I right in thinking you can control the steppers via the analogue modules or is a stepper drive required? (apologies if this seems a stupid question as it's something our college didn't cover). 

If I'm totally off on this can anyone advise please?

Robster

I guess you need a stepper drive with analogue input control or PTI

Thanks for your response