Originally Posted by lietuvys Hi all,
recently I found stepper controller Linistepper which called my attention.
I think that Linistepper controller would eliminate resonance problems while using microstepping.
I see that it will be necessary to modify Linistepper - place more powerfull transistors, resistors and tune it up... I have skills and work with electronics, and want to do it myself. I have a scope which will be useful there. |
I sell and support the Linistepper in the USA. Just wanted to note that it IS an open source design: Although we do sell a PCB and a full kit with a pre-programmed micro controller; the circuit, source code, and PCB layout are all on the web site for anyone to see.
Linear drivers are very good at elminiating resonance and related issues. The motors run cooler (although the controller runs hotter) and turn smoothly.
The kit (or standard components) should work for up to about 1.5 amps per phase and 3 is very doable with a little fine tuning and... and REALLY big heat sink on the controller! 5 amps is really pushing it.
If you were just doing full step or half step, the higher power requirements would be easy, but the combination of microstepping and high power is difficult to do at low cost.
One thing I should mention is that we are doing a promotion for a limited time: If you purchase a kit or set of kits, build then hook up to your device (mill, lathe, telescope, etc..) and send me a picture of it (clearly showing the Linistepper) I will refund $10 of your purchase price. I will refund an additional $10 for a picture of any item showing the difference between linear microstepping and any of the standard stepping modes. The second refund is only available after the first has been qualified. It can be a picture of two items made by your device or, if you are using the linistepper to control a telescope mount, it might show the difference in clarity between two identical long exposure photos of the stars. Finally, a third $10 refund, available after the first two have been qualified, is offered for temperature readings of the motor and controller after 1 hour of operation in full step mode and again after an hour in linear microstepping mode.
Then end result is that, at least for one channel, the controller will be totally free.