L297 or SLA7051? and some other things

[Konstantin]

Hello everyone.

Some time around 2004 I have built 3 discrete unipolar drives (as of 6/18/2004 revision) with the 3 axis chopper board, but since I got a 3axis commercial driver boards I used the latter in my cnc router.

Now I am making the "A" axis and I ve thought to use one of my descrete modular boards for that purpose and meanwhile I re read the documentation and re read the PMinMo website I learn that the discrete design have changed to the EVH layout. What the changes are?

I am thinking, maybe I should leave the 3 axis boards with the chopper board as is for another project or sell it, so it all rounds to this:

I need to build a driver board for a unipolar stepper 5,2v 1,4A phase, I am not sure which to choose if the L297 or the SLA7051. The SLA7051 webpage says it is a prototype design so I wonder if I should choose the L297 to be safe. Or any other board? I dont think I need to go over 2A.

Thanks in advance.

Konstantin.

[NC Cams]

The use of a legacy part like the L297 has a lot of charm.

First is cost, then availability then there is the fact that the designs derived of which it is part of have been worked out - they should work and you have the support of experienced folks who have used the part.

I'd go the "legacy" route - no need to devlop a new chip as part of a new design. Getting A to do what you want when you want it to is going to be hard enought without dealing with IC development bugs....

[pminmo]

The word Prototype on the 7051 webpage of mine: http://www.pminmo.com/sla7051/sla7051.htm is for the picture below. The design is tested, no issues. I must say I am impressed with the SLA7051 IC for being just a full/half step part.

The only difference in the HV version of the discrete is I changed voltage regultors to a LM317 which accepts DC voltage to 45V vs the 7805 35V. This would allow a higher power supply voltage for someone who chose FET's that handled a higher voltage.

I prefer to answer questions on the designs on my website these days on my bulletin board: http://www.pminmo.com/phpBB/ Nothing against the cnczone, just don't want to overlook a question on the cnczone, as their are so many threads.
Phil

[Konstantin]

Oh, sorry I mistook that "prototype".

Thanks Phil for designing those drivers.
Ill check the boards.


Konstantin.