MG996R 360° Continuous Rotation Metal Gear Servo Motor – Arduino Compatible

The MG996R 360° Continuous Rotation Servo Motor is a high-torque metal gear servo designed for robotics, mobile robots, RC applications, and automation projects requiring continuous rotational movement.

Unlike standard 180° positional servos, this version supports continuous clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. Standard servo PWM control signals are used to control the rotation speed and direction rather than a specific angular position.

Featuring an all-metal gear transmission, double ball bearings, and a standard 3-wire servo connector, the MG996R is suitable for robot wheels, rotating platforms, mechanical drive systems, and Arduino-compatible robotics projects.

The supplied product specifications list stall torque values of 13kg·cm at 4.8V and 15kg·cm at 6V.

Key Features

• 360° Continuous Rotation: Supports continuous clockwise and counterclockwise movement.
• High-Torque Design: Listed stall torque of up to 15kg·cm at 6V.
• All-Metal Gear Transmission: Designed for durability in demanding mechanical applications.
• Double Ball Bearings: Support the output shaft and mechanical operation.
• PWM Speed Control: Controls rotation speed and direction using standard servo control pulses.
• Bidirectional Operation: Supports forward, reverse, and stop commands.
• Wide Operating Voltage: Listed operating range of 4.8V to 7.2V DC.
• Integrated Motor Control: Does not require a separate H-bridge motor driver.
• Arduino Compatible: Can be controlled using the Arduino Servo library.
• Standard 3-Wire Connector: Simple integration with microcontrollers and servo controllers.
• 300mm Cable: Provides convenient wiring for robotics and RC applications.

Technical Specifications

Note: The torque and speed figures above are taken from the supplied product specifications. The listed speed values are commonly used for positional servos and should be verified for this continuous-rotation version. Actual continuous-rotation speed depends on supply voltage, load, and servo configuration.

Wire Configuration

Arduino UNO Connection Example

Connection Instructions:

1. Connect the servo's red wire to a suitable external regulated power supply.
2. Connect the ground wire to the external power supply ground.
3. Connect the signal wire to Arduino digital pin D9.
4. Connect Arduino GND to the external power supply ground.
5. Use the Arduino Servo library to generate the required control signals.
6. Begin with a neutral pulse and gradually adjust the pulse width to control rotation speed and direction.

Important: Do not power the MG996R directly from an Arduino GPIO pin. Use a power supply capable of handling the servo's startup and peak current.

Arduino Example Code

#include <Servo.h>

Servo motor;

void setup() {
  motor.attach(9);
  motor.writeMicroseconds(1500);
}

void loop() {
  // Rotate in one direction
  motor.writeMicroseconds(1700);
  delay(2000);

  // Stop
  motor.writeMicroseconds(1500);
  delay(1000);

  // Rotate in the opposite direction
  motor.writeMicroseconds(1300);
  delay(2000);

  // Stop
  motor.writeMicroseconds(1500);
  delay(1000);
}

Note: The actual stop point and rotation direction may vary between servo versions. Adjust the pulse widths according to the servo's response.

Understanding Continuous Rotation Control

A continuous rotation servo interprets PWM pulses as speed and direction commands rather than angular positions.

These values are typical examples and may require adjustment depending on the servo's calibration.

Applications

• Mobile robot drive systems
• Arduino robotics projects
• Robot wheel mechanisms
• RC vehicle prototypes
• Educational robotics
• Automated rotating platforms
• Small conveyor mechanisms
• DIY automation projects
• Robotic drive systems
• Continuous motion mechanisms
• ESP32 and Raspberry Pi robotics
• Mechanical engineering prototypes
• Embedded motion control projects

Important Notes

• This is a 360° continuous rotation servo, not a standard 180° positional servo.
• PWM commands control rotation speed and direction rather than a specific angular position.
• The servo cannot move to a precise commanded angle without additional position feedback and control.
• The typical neutral pulse is approximately 1500µs, but calibration may be required to achieve a complete stop.
• The listed torque ratings represent stall torque, not continuous operating torque.
• The listed speed specifications should be verified for the continuous-rotation version.
• Continuous operation under excessive load can cause overheating and gear damage.
• Use a suitable regulated external power supply with sufficient current capacity.
• The servo and microcontroller must share a common ground.
• Avoid blocking the output shaft during operation.
• Do not exceed the specified operating voltage.
• The servo is not waterproof or dustproof unless explicitly certified by the manufacturer.
• For accurate wheel speed or distance control, an external encoder or other feedback sensor is recommended.
• The servo does not require a separate H-bridge motor driver for basic PWM control.
• MG996R continuous-rotation servos may vary in performance depending on the manufacturer and internal modifications.

Package Includes

The product image shows:

• 1 × MG996R 360° Continuous Rotation Metal Gear Servo Motor
• Servo Horn Attachments
• Mounting Screws and Hardware