ExternalStepperDriver

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External Stepper Driver

Release status: Working

Extstep.jpg
Description
External Stepper driver slot
License
Author
Contributors
Based-on
Categories
CAD Models
External Link


Summary

The Megatronics boards allows you to connect extra stepper drivers to an axis. This board can take advantage of that feature and allows you to run 2 stepper motors on one axis using two stepper drivers. Or 3. Or 4. Or how much you like, they can be connected in series.

Major features

  1. You can connect (theoretically) unlimited amount of stepper motors to one axis.
  2. Compatible with Megatronics 1.0 and Megatronics 2.0
  3. Compatible with Pololu 498X, Pololu DRV8825 and Stepstick
  4. Easy to assemble and connect

Connectors

ExtStepConnectors.png

Note: Red circles are +


Name Description
12V input Power input (12v max) You can connect this to the 12v output of Megatronics, when the megatronics is powered by a 12V power supply.
12V output Power output
Stepper motor output Output connector for stepper motor
5V output 5V power output
Data input Input connector (left to right: Enable, Step, Dir, GND)
Data Output Output connector for other external stepper drivers(left to right: Enable, Step, Dir, GND)

Power from 24V

When you want to run this board on 24V, you should not place the 7805 component. Instead you can connect the 5V output connector to the Megatronics 5V output.

Required Components

Designation(s) Name
U1 7805 voltage regulator (Do not place when powered from 24V)
C20,C21,C22 100Uf Capacitor
C14 100nF capacitor
R63 100K Resistor
R90 10K resistor

Assembling and connecting the board

ExtStep1.jpg

First place the headers. The jumpers control the stepsize (MS0, MS1 and MS2). Refer to the stepper driver documentation for details. If you want to use the DRV8825, you should also jumper the 4th pins.

ExtStep2.jpg

Place the three capacitors. The long lead should be next to the + sign.

ExtStep3.jpg

Place the blue capacitor. Orientation doesn't matter.

ExtStep4.jpg

Place the resistors. Orientation doesn't matter.

ExtStep5.jpg

Place the 7805 like this. If you want to power the board from 24 skip this step.

ExtStep6.jpg

Solder the cables to the board, Red wires on the left.

ExtStep7.jpg

Place the Pololu/Stepstick like this. The Pololu DRV8825 should have the trimpot on the other side.

ExtStep8.jpg

Place a 4 way header on the Megatronics output connector, for each axis you want to connect

ExtStep9.png

Connect the board to the Megatronics

Sources

  1. DesignSpark PCB design File:ExtSTepSources.zip
  2. PCB Design PDF files File:ExtStep - PDF.zip