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A4988 G3D Stepper
Drivers
Release status: working
Description New generation stepper
motor driver
License GPL
Author GADGETS3D
Based-on (nothing)
Categories Electronics
CAD
Model(s)
none
External
Link
none
G3D driver
This is the new innovative stepper motor driver for your 3D printer or any task involved stepper motors! It is a
new generation as replacement for Pololu/StepStick.
Professional design ensure stable operation of this driver - it contain 2oz copper PCB for better heat dissipation
and 0.1ohm sense resistors which let it working up to 2A (heatsink and additional air cooling is needed for
operating over 1A).
Using standard A4988 drivers you face the problem of vibration / shaking stepper motors and frame when
stepper motors are moving (most noticeable on Z stage). These drivers solves this problem by using an
additional 30k trimpot to correctly select the off-time settings.
Contents [hide]
1 FAQ
2 Where to get it?
3 VREF Calculation Formula
4 Pictures
5 Design Files
FAQ
Is it complicated to use?
No, you only need to turn second trimpot (OSC) fully counterclokwise and that's all - you can enjoy
smoother and quieter stepper motors operation and no more lost motor steps because of non-optimal off-
time settings.
For what we need second trimpot ?
This is just 30k trimpot which turned fully counterclokwise pulling ROSC pin into ground and turning it clockwise let you to choose reference.
Quotet from A4988 datasheet
"By pulling the ROSC pin to ground (second trimpot turned fully counter clockwise in our driver), mixed decay is set to be active 100% of the time,
for both rising and falling currents, and prevents missed steps. If this is not an issue, it is recommended that automatically-selected mixed decay be
used, because it will produce reduced ripple currents. Refer to the Fixed Off-Time section for details."
You can check A4988 datasheet for more informations.
Where to get it?
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Printable version
Permanent link
4pcs or 5pcs G3D Drivers fully soldered and assembled and ready to use:
4pcs GADGETS3D.com
5pcs GADGETS3D.com
Fabster3D Ebay
Robots3D (Russia)
Makershop.co.nz (New Zealand)
You can also build it by yourself design files you can find at bottom of page.
VREF Calculation Formula
VREF = I_TripMax * 8 * 0.1
I_TripMax = Peak current through one winding of your motor (A)(other winding will be off)
Note that the current rating shown on your stepper motor is usually for current in both windings.
The peak current through both windings simultaneously will be 70.71% of I_TripMax.
To avoid excessive heating of the stepper motor, particularly if it is bolted to a PLA component, you should set I_tripMax to no more than your steppers
Rated current.
This will result in approximately half the temperature rise and 70% of the rated torque.
Example: 0.4A * 8 * 0.1 = 0.32V
VREF can be measured with a voltmeter between the metal top of the trimpot and GND.
Pictures
Design Files
Note: The schematic linked below shows Sense resistors as 0.2 ohm.
The I trip calculation above and the products being shipped use 0.1 ohm sense resistors.
This is a change from the common Pololu design, which uses 0.05 ohm for sense resistors.
Schematic
Gerber files
Category: Working developments
This page was last modif ied on 26 July 2013, at 17:14. This page has been accessed 7,021 times. Content is available under GNU Free Documentation License
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