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Stepper Module

DEV LOG

These are stepper drivers! They run:

  • ATSAMD51 Microcontrollers
  • 2x A4950 H-Bridges on 2x DACs to VREF
  • 1x AS5147 if you want to get closed-loop-fancy
  • RS485 input and 40W 24V into one 10-pin IDC

To build one w/ a motor, for closed loop stepping, I do:

  • N17 Motor 17HS19-2004S1
  • IDC, Plug, 2x15 609-5106-ND
  • IDC, Plug, 2x5 609-1746-ND
  • Magnet 469-1076-ND
  • Spacer 6mm Tall 94669A101
  • M3 SHCS 50mm 91292A026
  • DIP Switch 219-8LPSTRF
  • 2x5 Latching 732-2679-ND
  • Two Part Epoxy

The hardware is set up to run on the 'UCBus', a synchronous embedded protocol that establishes a bus clock and data lines on one RS485/UART Phy. Details are not documented anywhere ATM, but it w o r k s.

Closed Loop

Circuits have a land for an AS5147P encoder, with which they can run closed-loop stepper control:

cl

Melted Version V02

I revisioned this recently to skip the module and just build the whole circuit on one board. Schematic is identical to V01, but now is much smaller (can fit on a NEMA14 size motor) and all components are SMT on one side, i.e. the AS5047P is on the same side as the H-Bridges, Micro etc.

The IDC UCBus connector & DIP Switch are on the flipped surface.

schem routed

140 of these are out fab / assembly.

Module Version V01

Beneath the module.

Networked step driver (or) general purpose 2-H-Bridge ute. Uses module for micro / network drivers, all other parts are 0805 or similar to hand-solder easily.

fab routed schematic

Voltages / VREFs etc

The A4950 VREFs are hooked up to DAC0 and DAC1.

Current limiting will be set by:

`Imax = Vref / (10 * Rs) ``

Where Rs is the sense resistor value, in this circuit its 0.2 ohms. So maximum current is 1.65A at 3.3v full DAC, all else scales. I think I set it up this way in case I was unable to set the DACs up properly, and had to turn them on full all the time.