Why isn't there an Arduino shield to control sensored BLDC motors?

It's almost 2014 and it's hard to believe that nobody has developed an Arduino shield to control sensored BLDC motors yet. Why is that?

I assume that there is a market for it when Texas Instruments developed one for their LaunchPad ecosystem.

Unfortunately, they don't have something equivalent for the Arduino platform as a shield yet.

BTW, I'm talking about motors controlled using a commutation/modulation scheme like hall sensors or encoders so please don't reply suggesting to use an ESC for hobby motors.

This is a great example of evolution in action.

Treat it as an opportunity rather than a problem.

...R

cagiva:
It's almost 2014 and it's hard to believe that nobody has developed an Arduino shield to control sensored BLDC motors yet. Why is that?

Some one has to be first.
As Robin2 wrote "Treat it as an opportunity".

cagiva:
It's almost 2014 and it's hard to believe that nobody has developed an Arduino shield to control sensored BLDC motors yet. Why is that?

I assume that there is a market for it when Texas Instruments developed one for their LaunchPad ecosystem.

BOOSTXL-DRV8301 Evaluation board | TI.com

Unfortunately, they don't have something equivalent for the Arduino platform as a shield yet.

BTW, I'm talking about motors controlled using a commutation/modulation scheme like hall sensors or encoders so please don't reply suggesting to use an ESC for hobby motors.

Sensorless or sensored?

This boosterpack is ideal for those wishing to learn about sensorless brushless control techniques and drive stage design.

sensored

Robin2:
This is a great example of evolution in action.

Treat it as an opportunity rather than a problem.

...R

In that case and if Darwin was right, then one should have been developed years ago...

In my opinion sensored BLDC is a drying breed as sensorless controllers/motors need less hardware components and instead do the commutation timing function in software for 'free'.

retrolefty:
In my opinion sensored BLDC is a drying breed as sensorless controllers/motors need less hardware components and instead do the commutation timing function in software for 'free'.

Thanks for your opinion. However, the topic is not about sensorless vs sensored. The topic is about the plethoric enigma of why there is not a shield in market to control BLDC motors (neither for sensorless or sensored).

cagiva:

retrolefty:
In my opinion sensored BLDC is a drying breed as sensorless controllers/motors need less hardware components and instead do the commutation timing function in software for 'free'.

Thanks for your opinion. However, the topic is not about sensorless vs sensored. The topic is about the plethoric enigma of why there is not a shield in market to control BLDC motors (neither for sensorless or sensored).

Well that is a different question then. I suspect it's because there are so many different motors that require/run at vastly different voltages and current levels that if would be hard to design one shield that would have a big enough market to make the effort worthwhile. Me, I build what I need in the way of hardware stuff if I can.

retrolefty:

cagiva:

retrolefty:
In my opinion sensored BLDC is a drying breed as sensorless controllers/motors need less hardware components and instead do the commutation timing function in software for 'free'.

Well that is a different question then. I suspect it's because there are so many different motors that require/run at vastly different voltages and current levels that if would be hard to design one shield that would have a big enough market to make the effort worthwhile. Me, I build what I need in the way of hardware stuff if I can.

First, that was always the question. Read the Subject line.
Second, there are many different brushed DC motors too, however, there are shields in the market for them.

But, none for brushless motors.

Yes, I know some folks have built their own stuff based on their needs or requirements. However, I'd like to hear arguments on why there is not need in the market for this type of shield.

Texas Instruments seems to argue that though.

cagiva:
In that case and if Darwin was right, then one should have been developed years ago...

I don't understand ...

Of course Darwin was right ...
evolution doesn't involve "should have" ...

I simply meant that, like cows that can read, it just hasn't happened yet - hence the opportunity for you.

...R

Robin2:

cagiva:
In that case and if Darwin was right, then one should have been developed years ago...

I don't understand ...

Of course Darwin was right ...
evolution doesn't involve "should have" ...

I simply meant that, like cows that can read, it just hasn't happened yet - hence the opportunity for you.

...R

Okay!?!

I'll let you know when I see a cow reading your post.

Thanks for the out of topic answer though.

Or as they say down south, "that dog won't bark".

cagiva:
It's almost 2014 and it's hard to believe that nobody has developed an Arduino shield to control sensored BLDC motors yet. Why is that?

Because standard engineering grade BLDCs are $500 to $2000 new? Just a guess.

retrolefty:
In my opinion sensored BLDC is a drying breed as sensorless controllers/motors need less hardware components and instead do the commutation timing function in software for 'free'.

If you want a motor that can run slowly, reverse, push while stationary, you always
need sensors, whether it be hall-sensors or glean the position from an absolute shaft-encoder.

MarkT:

retrolefty:
In my opinion sensored BLDC is a drying breed as sensorless controllers/motors need less hardware components and instead do the commutation timing function in software for 'free'.

If you want a motor that can run slowly, reverse, push while stationary, you always
need sensors, whether it be hall-sensors or glean the position from an absolute shaft-encoder.

You are correct of course. I was limiting my mind/statements to typical hobbyist type budgets and applications. High precision motion controllers do require the best quality feedback sensing possible. Back EMF sensing has worked well for the typical R/C motor requirements even for hundreds of watts and more power, and the ESC used to drive them are very cost effective due to the high volume of users and of course the Asian economies.

cagiva:
Okay!?!

I'll let you know when I see a cow reading your post.

Thanks for the out of topic answer though.

... about the same time as someone develops the shield you wish for ??? :slight_smile:

...R

retrolefty:

MarkT:

retrolefty:
In my opinion sensored BLDC is a drying breed as sensorless controllers/motors need less hardware components and instead do the commutation timing function in software for 'free'.

If you want a motor that can run slowly, reverse, push while stationary, you always
need sensors, whether it be hall-sensors or glean the position from an absolute shaft-encoder.

You are correct of course. I was limiting my mind/statements to typical hobbyist type budgets and applications. High precision motion controllers do require the best quality feedback sensing possible. Back EMF sensing has worked well for the typical R/C motor requirements even for hundreds of watts and more power, and the ESC used to drive them are very cost effective due to the high volume of users and of course the Asian economies.

I should perhaps have said there are ways to sense position in a stationary motor,
some chip sets temporarily switch of drive current and then probe the winding
inductance with a short pulse and effectively compare the reluctance of the three
windings to sense position change... Will detract from performance but for light
duty motors saves on the sensor hardware. Not seen this for an RC ESC yet, but
wouldn't be surprised if it appears - then can have reverse :slight_smile:

I have found occasional bargains on remaindered stock (or really cheap chinese
copies?) of BLDC servo motors on eBay, and created a 3phase board to drive them
with success - although its so tedious working out the phasing for each motor!

The reason is , because ESC's for sensorless brushless motors are cheap and plentiful already. And they are designed for large currents, which you might not want actually sitting right on top of your arduino. It makes more sense, to get an ESC and use the arduino to control it.

michinyon:
The reason is , because ESC's for sensorless brushless motors are cheap and plentiful already. And they are designed for large currents, which you might not want actually sitting right on top of your arduino. It makes more sense, to get an ESC and use the arduino to control it.

But do you know of any ESC that can control a sensored BLDC motor (e.g with Hall sensors or quadrature encoder)?

I'm not talking about big $2K fat BLDC motors. Jus small and cheap like these ones:

http://www.faulhaber.com/uploadpk/EN_1608_BH_DFF.pdf

http://www.faulhaber.com/uploadpk/EN_1226_B_MIN.pdf