Arduino Stepper Shield

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
21

Tony:

the 293D has the diodes, but the L298 doesn't.. which is too bad, because they're eeeexpeeeensive :slight_smile:

D

true, but the L298 can handle up to 2 amps per coil, vs 1 amp per coil on the 293D. is there a different chip in the 293 family that can handle higher current? that would be really cool.

22

yes
"the different chip in the same family" is the L298 :slight_smile:

23

just wanted to ping the group and let you know that i finished the first-go of routing this board. 4.5" x 6", which isnt too bad for a big board like this. its in the subversion repository above, so please check it out and let me know what you think.

thanks,
Zach

24

First of all, thank you so much for all the information provided in this post. I'm just getting started in electronics so I'm as green as they come. I appreciate your patience.

I am also currently developing a L297/L298 based motor controller. According to the schematic provided in the L279 Datasheet;

http://www.st.com/stonline/books/pdf/docs/1334.pdf

...the 8 x 2A Fast Diodes can be packaged as a L6210. I've found this part;

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&productId=1986060&catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&krypto=CMF4gzkADQxxj3r9%2BdbaPdGAfPQ%2F9w5y5mHx6WVfh4md%2Fp4psayu5P%2BllAkXr9zm&ddkey=https:StoreCatalogDrillDownView

It's reletively cheap and I want to use it for my application.

However, the diagram is for a "Two Phase Bipolar Stepper Motor Control Circuit." My question is, can I use this same circuit in a Four Phase Unipolar application? More specifically, are the motors connected to the L298N in the same configuration, allowing me to use the L6210 for the diode bridge?

If not, can someone please suggest a proper diode to be used in this application? I'm looking at this part;

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=177990&

...but I simply don't know if this will work.

25

Just in case you didn't already know, there's a kit available for a stepper/servo shield. If your interest is more in doing stuff with the steppers than learning how to design drivers, that will get you running faster.

I don't have a suggestion for the diode array, since I've always used the L293D (which has built-in diodes) for small motor driving. For loads like relays, I just grab whatever 1N4000-series diode is handy. Not as convenient when you need several, of course.

Ran

26

Thank you for the link. I'm looking for documentation on that kit to see what components they are using.

This is a, "Teach a man to fish" kind-of-thing. Unfortunately, I have to learn everything the hard way.

Thanks again for the help!

27

@Hoeken Hey, What is the status of this thing now? I know that you have got the MakerBot going, which looks great- Does it run off this, or did this get somewhat abandoned?

I was thinking about making an open source stepper driver, one that would have a bit better performance than the easydriver (also cheaper if possible). I was looking at allegro all in one chips, as opposed to the L297/L298 combo, but I was having a tough time picking between them.

That said, am I right in thinking that you opted for easydrivers in the end?

Anyway, I'd love to know what the status of this is. Thanks!

28

I've been doing so much stepper driver webbing today, that I've almost lost my mind! After re-browsing quite a bit, I realize that makerbot uses the reprap stepper drivers, presumably, the ones hoeken developed?