StepStick
- Please note: StepStick has 0.2 ohm sense resistors instead of Pololu stepper driver boards 0.05 ohm.
Release status: experimental
Description | Revision 0.1
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License | unknown
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Author | |
Contributors | |
Based-on | [[]]
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Categories | |
CAD Models | Eagle
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External Link |
Introduction
With the recent outage of Pololu stepper driver boards, I've been wanting to build my own, and break my dependency (no offense, I <3 you Pololu!). And after spending a lot of time designing the another board, I figured I could give this a go.
This is an Allegro A4983 / A4988 x4 breakout board for Sanguinololu. It can be snapped apart at the score in case of Allegro failure, and replaced with another or a Pololu. Snap all 4 apart and get a pin-compatible clones for use on boards like RAMPS or Gen7.
Now this is not for the iron wielding solderer. All parts are SMT, and somewhat small - there are some 0402 sized packages. Not to mention the Allegro's thermal pad - a solder pad on the bottom of the chip - can't be soldered without an iron of magic.
That being said, I believe this is an easy to solder board using a toaster oven or hotplate reflow method. There is not too many pads facilitating easy solder paste application using a syringe, and the components should be spaced out enough that a steady hand with fine tweezers can place them. If you've built Sanguinololu with success, perhaps this is the next challenge on your soldering skills adventures. (Take a look at youtube for oven and hotplate reflow methods - not hard at all!)
But if you're not up to the task, stay tuned and keep an eye on this place for a published list of places where you can get this pre-assembled.
Where to buy?
- ebay.com (tijnekind)[1]
- Ebay for all sellers
- UK based seller on eMAKERshop Boards right now, kits and fully assembled coming soon, contact through eMAKERshop
- Fully assembled and tested boards with heatsink at RepRap.me -- NOTE! 1/8 step only. These are NOT true StepSticks, they have been modified to use the less expensive (and less capable) A4984, not the A4988.
Schematic & Board Images
Not obvious from this schematics: the trimpot has 10 kΩ. See [2].
Herewith StepStick A4988 picture, its manufactured by SMD factory Unit now, I was tested by using Ramps1.2 + Arduino Atmage1280 + Sprinter Firmware. And it run very good.
Follows video shown that above hardware setup and using 80mm/s FeedRate running test cube printing test.
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