Homebrew PCBs

Hello Everyone,

I need some help starting out with CNC.  I am going to build a CNC router 
type machine to route pcbs.  I need some help with the circuits.

I have 3-60oz in stepper motors I got from HobbyCNC.  They are marked 
STH-55D203-02 1.8 deg/step, 5.1V 1A. I believe they are unipolar from the 
docs and they have 6 leads coming from them. This is my first adventure 
with controlling stepper motors.  I have another project for CNC when I get 
finished with this one.  My mother (I am 34 as of Sunday) wants one of 
those embroidery sewing machines that cost $3000+.  She want's to do some 
sewing designs and monograms on clothes.  If I get my CNC router/driller 
working, I am going to attempt to build her one with the other group of 3 
unipolar stepper motors I have.

I went looking for ICs to control all of the stepper motors I have.  I have 
a total of 6 motors, 3 being of one make and spec, and the other 3 being of 
another make and spec.  Each group of 3 motors is the same spec, so I do 
not have to worry about trying to control motors of different 
characteristics.  I found the UCN5804B to be a good chip, but it will not 
meet the power specs of both stepper motor group I have.  They have 
different current ratings.  One group is 1A, the other 1.44A.  So, I will 
need some transistors that can interface with the 5804B so that no matter 
which motor group I am using, the circuit will power them.

I found the TIP 120 to be able to put out up to 3A, which is more than 
enough. Page 5 of this doc:http://www.alltronics.com/download/5804.pdf 
shows the circuit I would like to build.  I know that I will need the 
diodes as circuit protectors.  Can anyone show me how to hook up the Tip's.
I had lots of theory 12 yrs ago in college, but could not graduate do to 
not being able to pass calculus.  They blocked me from taking my Senior 
level classes.  So I wasted a lot of money!

I did an extensive search on the net and came across several chips, but 
would still need the extra transistors to power the more current hungry 
motor.  Also, these chips were more expensive.  It is not that I am being 
cheep, I could purchase a board which many on this group seem to sell, it 
is just that I wish to learn more about electronics.

I am looking to purchase the chips this week, so I anyone could help me 
out, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Brian G.

Brian,
      The Tip120s have a built in damper diode. You can find
some info at:

http://www.luberth.com/plotter/plotter.htm

    Check out GRANT's circuit in the left side box. 


                                      John






--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Brian Gracia <bgracia@b...> wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
> 
> I need some help starting out with CNC.  I am going to build a CNC 
router 
> type machine to route pcbs.  I need some help with the circuits.
> 
> I have 3-60oz in stepper motors I got from HobbyCNC.  They are 
marked 
> STH-55D203-02 1.8 deg/step, 5.1V 1A. I believe they are unipolar 
from the 
> docs and they have 6 leads coming from them. This is my first 
adventure 
> with controlling stepper motors.  I have another project for CNC 
when I get 
> finished with this one.  My mother (I am 34 as of Sunday) wants one 
of 
> those embroidery sewing machines that cost $3000+.  She want's to 
do some 
> sewing designs and monograms on clothes.  If I get my CNC 
router/driller 
> working, I am going to attempt to build her one with the other 
group of 3 
> unipolar stepper motors I have.
> 
> I went looking for ICs to control all of the stepper motors I 
have.  I have 
> a total of 6 motors, 3 being of one make and spec, and the other 3 
being of 
> another make and spec.  Each group of 3 motors is the same spec, so 
I do 
> not have to worry about trying to control motors of different 
> characteristics.  I found the UCN5804B to be a good chip, but it 
will not 
> meet the power specs of both stepper motor group I have.  They have 
> different current ratings.  One group is 1A, the other 1.44A.  So, 
I will 
> need some transistors that can interface with the 5804B so that no 
matter 
> which motor group I am using, the circuit will power them.
> 
> I found the TIP 120 to be able to put out up to 3A, which is more 
than 
> enough. Page 5 of this 
doc:http://www.alltronics.com/download/5804.pdf 
> shows the circuit I would like to build.  I know that I will need 
the 
> diodes as circuit protectors.  Can anyone show me how to hook up 
the Tip's.
> I had lots of theory 12 yrs ago in college, but could not graduate 
do to 
> not being able to pass calculus.  They blocked me from taking my 
Senior 
> level classes.  So I wasted a lot of money!
> 
> I did an extensive search on the net and came across several chips, 
but 
> would still need the extra transistors to power the more current 
hungry 
> motor.  Also, these chips were more expensive.  It is not that I am 
being 
> cheep, I could purchase a board which many on this group seem to 
sell, it 
> is just that I wish to learn more about electronics.
> 
> I am looking to purchase the chips this week, so I anyone could 
help me 

> out, I would appreciate it.
> 
> Thanks,
> Brian G.

Brian,
Very often you can use the six wire more as a 4 wire motor, simple
ignore the "center tap"
I published a free stepper motor controller design complete with PCB
layouts. This design works with any Step and Direction software..
http://hans-w.com  check the CNC page and on it there is a link to the
Modular Design.
Best of luck.
Hans W

Brian Gracia wrote:

>  Hello Everyone,
>
> I need some help starting out with CNC.  I am going to build a CNC
> router
> type machine to route pcbs.  I need some help with the circuits.
>
> I have 3-60oz in stepper motors I got from HobbyCNC.  They are marked
> STH-55D203-02 1.8 deg/step, 5.1V 1A. I believe they are unipolar from
> the
> docs and they have 6 leads coming from them. This is my first
> adventure
> with controlling stepper motors.  I have another project for CNC when
> I get
> finished with this one.  My mother (I am 34 as of Sunday) wants one of
>
> those embroidery sewing machines that cost $3000+.  She want's to do
> some
> sewing designs and monograms on clothes.  If I get my CNC
> router/driller
> working, I am going to attempt to build her one with the other group
> of 3
> unipolar stepper motors I have.
>
> I went looking for ICs to control all of the stepper motors I have.  I
> have
> a total of 6 motors, 3 being of one make and spec, and the other 3
> being of
> another make and spec.  Each group of 3 motors is the same spec, so I
> do
> not have to worry about trying to control motors of different
> characteristics.  I found the UCN5804B to be a good chip, but it will
> not
> meet the power specs of both stepper motor group I have.  They have
> different current ratings.  One group is 1A, the other 1.44A.  So, I
> will
> need some transistors that can interface with the 5804B so that no
> matter
> which motor group I am using, the circuit will power them.
>
> I found the TIP 120 to be able to put out up to 3A, which is more than
>
> enough. Page 5 of this doc:http://www.alltronics.com/download/5804.pdf
>
> shows the circuit I would like to build.  I know that I will need the
> diodes as circuit protectors.  Can anyone show me how to hook up the
> Tip's.
> I had lots of theory 12 yrs ago in college, but could not graduate do
> to
> not being able to pass calculus.  They blocked me from taking my
> Senior
> level classes.  So I wasted a lot of money!
>
> I did an extensive search on the net and came across several chips,
> but
> would still need the extra transistors to power the more current
> hungry
> motor.  Also, these chips were more expensive.  It is not that I am
> being
> cheep, I could purchase a board which many on this group seem to sell,
> it
> is just that I wish to learn more about electronics.
>
> I am looking to purchase the chips this week, so I anyone could help
> me
> out, I would appreciate it.
>
> Thanks,
> Brian G.
>
>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I went to the Allegro site and liked the following chips:

1 - SLA7044M http://www.allegromicro.com/sf/97042/
2 - PG001M   http://www.allegromicro.com/sf/9001/

The SLA7044M is capable of driving 3A directly. It also has microstepping
capability, and if desired, can switch modes between microstepping and full
stepping on the fly.

With these two chips and a few discrete components you should be able to
create a pretty simple stepper driver.

I just received some samples that I'm going to try and use to drive my
milling machine.

I also saw a link for: http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
which are 4A bipolar stepper drivers for only $18 ea. I haven't used them,
so can't comment on their capabilities. You should be able to use your
unipolar motors in a bipolar fashion.

Dave Hylands

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brian Gracia [mailto:bgracia@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 11:05 PM
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Need help with CNC
> 
> 
> Hello Everyone,
> 
> I need some help starting out with CNC.  I am going to build 
> a CNC router 
> type machine to route pcbs.  I need some help with the circuits.
> 
> I have 3-60oz in stepper motors I got from HobbyCNC.  They are marked 
> STH-55D203-02 1.8 deg/step, 5.1V 1A. I believe they are 
> unipolar from the 
> docs and they have 6 leads coming from them. This is my first 
> adventure 
> with controlling stepper motors.  I have another project for 
> CNC when I get 
> finished with this one.  My mother (I am 34 as of Sunday) 
> wants one of 
> those embroidery sewing machines that cost $3000+.  She 
> want's to do some 
> sewing designs and monograms on clothes.  If I get my CNC 
> router/driller 
> working, I am going to attempt to build her one with the 
> other group of 3 
> unipolar stepper motors I have.
> 
> I went looking for ICs to control all of the stepper motors I 
> have.  I have 
> a total of 6 motors, 3 being of one make and spec, and the 
> other 3 being of 
> another make and spec.  Each group of 3 motors is the same 
> spec, so I do 
> not have to worry about trying to control motors of different 
> characteristics.  I found the UCN5804B to be a good chip, but 
> it will not 
> meet the power specs of both stepper motor group I have.  They have 
> different current ratings.  One group is 1A, the other 1.44A. 
>  So, I will 
> need some transistors that can interface with the 5804B so 
> that no matter 
> which motor group I am using, the circuit will power them.
> 
> I found the TIP 120 to be able to put out up to 3A, which is 
> more than 
> enough. Page 5 of this 
> doc:http://www.alltronics.com/download/5804.pdf 
> shows the circuit I would like to build.  I know that I will need the 
> diodes as circuit protectors.  Can anyone show me how to hook 
> up the Tip's.
> I had lots of theory 12 yrs ago in college, but could not 
> graduate do to 
> not being able to pass calculus.  They blocked me from taking 
> my Senior 
> level classes.  So I wasted a lot of money!
> 
> I did an extensive search on the net and came across several 
> chips, but 
> would still need the extra transistors to power the more 
> current hungry 
> motor.  Also, these chips were more expensive.  It is not 
> that I am being 
> cheep, I could purchase a board which many on this group seem 
> to sell, it 
> is just that I wish to learn more about electronics.
> 
> I am looking to purchase the chips this week, so I anyone 
> could help me 
> out, I would appreciate it.
> 
> Thanks,
> Brian G.
> 
> 
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At 07:56 12/06/2002 -0700, you wrote:
>I also saw a link for: http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
>which are 4A bipolar stepper drivers for only $18 ea. I haven't used them,
>so can't comment on their capabilities. You should be able to use your
>unipolar motors in a bipolar fashion.

I believe the spec of this board to be a little misleading - the L298 
(which this board uses as its output stage) is rated at 2A/phase 
continuous. You won't be able to drive a 4A/phase motor with this! Also, 
you would be well advised to keep the voltage below 50V.

Check the L298 spec sheets out on the SGS Thompson site:

http://us.st.com/stonline/index.shtml

Use the product search on "L298" to find the datasheets.


Regards,
Tony

Tony,
I agree, the L298N has an absolute Max V or 50... That doe snot mean it
will work at 50V all day everyday !
http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
However even though they are liberal with interpretation of the spec's.
for $18.00 it is a very good price.

This fall I'm planning to re-do my design and will make it a 5 Amp
output stage and include my  "Smart Current Monitor" and RPM meter in
the same design.

for $18.. it's s steal... but keep the Voltage at 35-40V and expect the
current to be about 2Amps.

Hans W


Tony Jeffree wrote:

>  At 07:56 12/06/2002 -0700, you wrote:
> >I also saw a link for:
> http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
> >which are 4A bipolar stepper drivers for only $18 ea. I haven't used
> them,
> >so can't comment on their capabilities. You should be able to use
> your
> >unipolar motors in a bipolar fashion.
>
> I believe the spec of this board to be a little misleading - the L298
> (which this board uses as its output stage) is rated at 2A/phase
> continuous. You won't be able to drive a 4A/phase motor with this!
> Also,
> you would be well advised to keep the voltage below 50V.
>
> Check the L298 spec sheets out on the SGS Thompson site:
>
> http://us.st.com/stonline/index.shtml
>
> Use the product search on "L298" to find the datasheets.
>
>
> Regards,
> Tony
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hans -

You're right - $18 is still a good price.

What do you plan to use for the 5 amp output stage?

Regards,
Tony

At 12:57 12/06/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Tony,
>I agree, the L298N has an absolute Max V or 50... That doe snot mean it
>will work at 50V all day everyday !
>http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
>However even though they are liberal with interpretation of the spec's.
>for $18.00 it is a very good price.
>
>This fall I'm planning to re-do my design and will make it a 5 Amp
>output stage and include my  "Smart Current Monitor" and RPM meter in
>the same design.
>
>for $18.. it's s steal... but keep the Voltage at 35-40V and expect the
>current to be about 2Amps.
>
>Hans W
>
>
>Tony Jeffree wrote:
>
> >  At 07:56 12/06/2002 -0700, you wrote:
> > >I also saw a link for:
> > http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
> > >which are 4A bipolar stepper drivers for only $18 ea. I haven't used
> > them,
> > >so can't comment on their capabilities. You should be able to use
> > your
> > >unipolar motors in a bipolar fashion.
> >
> > I believe the spec of this board to be a little misleading - the L298
> > (which this board uses as its output stage) is rated at 2A/phase
> > continuous. You won't be able to drive a 4A/phase motor with this!
> > Also,
> > you would be well advised to keep the voltage below 50V.
> >
> > Check the L298 spec sheets out on the SGS Thompson site:
> >
> > http://us.st.com/stonline/index.shtml
> >
> > Use the product search on "L298" to find the datasheets.
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Tony
> >
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
> >
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Regards,
Tony

Well I have not decided yet... However it will not be 2 X L298 !
hansw

Tony Jeffree wrote:

>  Hans -
>
> You're right - $18 is still a good price.
>
> What do you plan to use for the 5 amp output stage?
>
> Regards,
> Tony
>
> At 12:57 12/06/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >Tony,
> >I agree, the L298N has an absolute Max V or 50... That doe snot mean
> it
> >will work at 50V all day everyday !
> >http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
> >However even though they are liberal with interpretation of the
> spec's.
> >for $18.00 it is a very good price.
> >
> >This fall I'm planning to re-do my design and will make it a 5 Amp
> >output stage and include my  "Smart Current Monitor" and RPM meter in
>
> >the same design.
> >
> >for $18.. it's s steal... but keep the Voltage at 35-40V and expect
> the
> >current to be about 2Amps.
> >
> >Hans W
> >
> >
> >Tony Jeffree wrote:
> >
> > >  At 07:56 12/06/2002 -0700, you wrote:
> > > >I also saw a link for:
> > > http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
> > > >which are 4A bipolar stepper drivers for only $18 ea. I haven't
> used
> > > them,
> > > >so can't comment on their capabilities. You should be able to use
>
> > > your
> > > >unipolar motors in a bipolar fashion.
> > >
> > > I believe the spec of this board to be a little misleading - the
> L298
> > > (which this board uses as its output stage) is rated at 2A/phase
> > > continuous. You won't be able to drive a 4A/phase motor with this!
>
> > > Also,
> > > you would be well advised to keep the voltage below 50V.
> > >
> > > Check the L298 spec sheets out on the SGS Thompson site:
> > >
> > > http://us.st.com/stonline/index.shtml
> > >
> > > Use the product search on "L298" to find the datasheets.
> > >
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Tony
> > >
> > >
> > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
> files:
> > >
> > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
> files:
> >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> >
> >To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> >Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
> Regards,
> Tony
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
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>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

That is certainly true (only good for 3A/phase if I recall correctly).

Regards,
Tony

At 13:35 12/06/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Well I have not decided yet... However it will not be 2 X L298 !
>hansw
>
>Tony Jeffree wrote:
>
> >  Hans -
> >
> > You're right - $18 is still a good price.
> >
> > What do you plan to use for the 5 amp output stage?
> >
> > Regards,
> > Tony
> >
> > At 12:57 12/06/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> > >Tony,
> > >I agree, the L298N has an absolute Max V or 50... That doe snot mean
> > it
> > >will work at 50V all day everyday !
> > >http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
> > >However even though they are liberal with interpretation of the
> > spec's.
> > >for $18.00 it is a very good price.
> > >
> > >This fall I'm planning to re-do my design and will make it a 5 Amp
> > >output stage and include my  "Smart Current Monitor" and RPM meter in
> >
> > >the same design.
> > >
> > >for $18.. it's s steal... but keep the Voltage at 35-40V and expect
> > the
> > >current to be about 2Amps.
> > >
> > >Hans W
> > >
> > >
> > >Tony Jeffree wrote:
> > >
> > > >  At 07:56 12/06/2002 -0700, you wrote:
> > > > >I also saw a link for:
> > > > http://www.futurlec.com/StepperMotorController.html
> > > > >which are 4A bipolar stepper drivers for only $18 ea. I haven't
> > used
> > > > them,
> > > > >so can't comment on their capabilities. You should be able to use
> >
> > > > your
> > > > >unipolar motors in a bipolar fashion.
> > > >
> > > > I believe the spec of this board to be a little misleading - the
> > L298
> > > > (which this board uses as its output stage) is rated at 2A/phase
> > > > continuous. You won't be able to drive a 4A/phase motor with this!
> >
> > > > Also,
> > > > you would be well advised to keep the voltage below 50V.
> > > >
> > > > Check the L298 spec sheets out on the SGS Thompson site:
> > > >
> > > > http://us.st.com/stonline/index.shtml
> > > >
> > > > Use the product search on "L298" to find the datasheets.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > > Tony
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
> > files:
> > > >
> > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > > >
> > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> > Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
> > files:
> > >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > >
> > >To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > >Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> > Regards,
> > Tony
> >
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
> >
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
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>
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Regards,
Tony

Here's a driver chip to consider:
http://www.infineon.com/cmc_upload/documents/008/707/tle5206-2_1.pdf

Dave Hylands