Stepper Driver

[girandola]

After searching for a while, I have found a stepper driver that is very reasonably priced. So much so that I would order some spares to keep on hand. You can see it here: http://www.alltronics.com/stepper_motors.htm

Scroll down towards the bottom and look for item 22M004.

The problem is that there is no documentation for this driver, only this datasheet which can be found here:

http://www.alltronics.com/download/22m004-stk6822h.pdf

I was wondering if someone who is electronically inclined and familiar with these things could tell me which leads to connect where? Or even a strategy to start experimenting with? Or a way to use my multimeter to figure it out? Even if I were to ruin a couple trying to get it right, I would still be way ahead.

[NC Cams]

This is my take on the system:

pin 1 = Power supply (+) all channels
pin 4 = output from 1 side of totem pole for that channel
pin 7 = other output from other side of totem pole for that channel
pin 10 = Power supply ground (-) for all channels
pin 9 = appears as current sense shutdown circuit output
pin 5 = contols the right side drive to the left side transistors on that channel

pin 17 is controlling the signal that is being given off by pin 11 - I dunno why.
Pin 18 appears to affect/regulate the voltage going to op amp that monitors output current.
pin 6 = same as 5 but for right side of drive, that channel
pin 8 = non inverting input to current sense circuit op-amp - appears to be ground reference for current sense resistor.

The other pins not listed are basically mirrored functions of the circuits listed above.

[Luslugger]

These are only $10.00 each. Does the 4 degree per step cause problems with 1.8 degree stepper motors? I would like to use something like this, but I would need more electrical explanation to get them hooked-up.

[MHINK]

I have found this place to have easy to use and cheap stepper kits.\
http://www.kitsrus.com/

I just bought several more from this distributor, got 5 kits for $68 (not including shipping) Pretty good deal!
sales@qkits.com
Look for kit 158 and 179. I have used lots of them and they work well.
Just make sure the PCB and the schematic agree, so you can get your computer to interface correctly.
If you have questions about how I easily use these drivers, contact me.
-Mark

[max_imum2000]

MHINK
about kit 158, whats its voltage and current rating ?
and does it have a current limiting option or not?

[MHINK]

The spec sheet says 5 to 35 volts, 3 amps without heat sinks, and I have seen 6 amps with heat sinks on some other sites describing the same kit.
-Mark

[max_imum2000]

thats seem to be a nice ratings
is the 3amp per phase ?
what about the current limiting ?

can you supple me the other sites you are reffering to ?
thanks

[girandola]

First of all thanks for taking the time to reply. Sorry, but I'm not understanding very well. From the webpage, this is a combination unipolar and bipolar board. But it appears that the circuit diagram is only the bipolar side. It does say equivalent circuit, so I'm not sure what that means. I'm looking for the pin numbers to connect step, dir, motor leads etc. It appears that you are saying that this only has one power supply connection. If this is the case, it wouldn't be useful for my application. I need to control with PC parallel port, but power with a much higher voltage. Not sure what you mean by totem pole either. Anyway, I'm not much smarter now than I was before, so if it's not to much trouble I need it more in language that an electronic newbie can understand.

This is my take on the system:

pin 1 = Power supply (+) all channels
pin 4 = output from 1 side of totem pole for that channel
pin 7 = other output from other side of totem pole for that channel
pin 10 = Power supply ground (-) for all channels
pin 9 = appears as current sense shutdown circuit output
pin 5 = contols the right side drive to the left side transistors on that channel

pin 17 is controlling the signal that is being given off by pin 11 - I dunno why.
Pin 18 appears to affect/regulate the voltage going to op amp that monitors output current.
pin 6 = same as 5 but for right side of drive, that channel
pin 8 = non inverting input to current sense circuit op-amp - appears to be ground reference for current sense resistor.

The other pins not listed are basically mirrored functions of the circuits listed above.

[girandola]

I have found this place to have easy to use and cheap stepper kits.\
http://www.kitsrus.com/

-Mark

Mark,
I have seen the kits as well. they are my second choice if I can't get a feeling of confidence that this preassembled board will work. I'm not the best at the electronics side of things, so I want to get that part working first before I ever attempt to build a machine. I built some simple electronic circuits while in college many years ago, so I suppose I can build the kits if necessary. But a preassembled board for $10 is still my first choice. With 25+ years as a machinist and manufacturing engineer, I have no worries that I can build a machine.

Thanks!

[MHINK]

at this site they cl;aim 6 Amps. Per phase, I am not sure .
Current limiting, (id you mean something like automatic thermal shutdown etc.) I do not think so, according to what I can see on the circuit diagram.

http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H1259.html

-Mark

[H500]

The kitsrus driver need big power resistors for current limiting. I would not recommend it for any serious cnc app. A home brewed allegro a3977 based board will likely cost less and will deliver some real power.

[MHINK]

If you are interested in using the a3977, This link might be useful
http://www.students.tut.fi/~kontkant/a3977.php.html
it shows how one guy built his drivers with it, diagrams and pcb tracings etc.
I have no idea if it is good or not, but it might not hurt to learn what he has done.
-Mark