How to drive this stepper motor 60BYG301B? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2013, 04:40:10 pm
content: I am looking into ways of driving this stepper motor60BYG301B.I would like microstepping, 1/8 would be nice but if not easily implemented this could be increased. I need to be able to 'zero' position it which would probably be through current stall detection such as describedhere.I think I will likely go for the bipolar setup but what are the ad/disadvantages to series vs parallel bipolar?All the driver chips I have come across in a quick search reveal no suitable drivers - not high enough current. What do people generally use for high current steppers?If current controlled how do you determine the required voltage? I have access to 5V, 12V and 72V, 12 and 72 will be batteries so will vary depending on charge.

author: Mikey
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2013, 09:30:27 am
content: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-Micro-Step-Stepper-Motor-Driver-2M982-24-80V-7-8A-Controller-for-Mill-Router-/270996329744?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item3f18a3d510Spomething like this maybe?

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2013, 10:47:01 am
content: Gecko G250- Highly recommended!Parallel will give highest torqueCalculation for maximum voltage is32 * sqrt (inductance). For your motor in parallel mode that''s 32 * sqrt(3.5) = 59.86V

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2013, 11:31:30 am
content: Thanks for the links, interesting to look through.I am looking an integrated solution, adding the circuitry alongside the rest of the project rather than tacking on an existing solution.I can't see any schematics for either design to see how they are doing it but will keep looking.Regarding the maximum voltage, this is what is needed to drive the stepper and as it's current controlled I can use the 72V supply for this?

author: Kremmen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2013, 01:47:58 pm
content: What kind of application do you have in mind? If you need to home the motor it indicates some kind of motion control application, maybe a cnc machine of some kind? If so, i suggest you should forget about stall detection as presented in the paper - it is useless for you. In numerically controlled applications home positions are invariably detected using limit switches of some kind, either mechanical, inductive or optical, or a combination. The stall method would require driving against mechanical end of travel - not recommended normally. Also it is needlessly complex, since it is of no use in normal operation. The motor torque must be so dimensioned that you do not risk losing steps. In such a case the motor never stalls in use.Others have suggested a Gecko and i agree. They are simple to implement and have a good reputation in the hobbyist sector.If you wish to roll your own then there is either the L297/L298 combo and similar other ready made driver/bridge combinations, or you can DIY everything. In that case i would suggest a solution based on discrete N-FETs, dedicated half bridge drivers (e.g. IR2110 family) and home cooked current limiting circuit. A typical solution here would be an RS flipflop set by an oscillator and reset by a current limit comparator. Add an MCU to provide the current threshold for the comparator as well as generating the stepping sequence. Or alternatively you can generate the sequence using a small CPLD such as Xilinx CoolRunner or XC9500. All tried and working solutions.

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 22, 2013, 09:49:48 pm
content: Sorry for the late reply, things have been hectic as usual.I'm not entirely sure on the end application truth be told as it is for a friend.From what I know, a limit switch isn't possible but it may only be travelling a single rotation or less, in which case I was thinking of a absolute encoder. I will have to find out more info before this is decided.I came across the Allegro A3977 and have access to a small driver based on the chip which seems to work nicely with the motor, it will also allow me to offload the driving software from the micro as that will be running a number of additional tasks alongside the stepper.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2013, 09:33:11 am
content: A3977 is not that great. I have experimented with it and it seems to be much more sensitive to component placement and values than popular TB6560 found in Chinese drivers. Toshiba can handle up to 3.5A peak, 3A continunous current and of course HZIP package is MUCH more heatsink friendly than PLCC. TB6560 are not bad chips like many people suggest, they are poorly engineered with power supply system violating basic operation conditions and power-up/-down sequence from datasheet.I have designed some 2.7A/phase drivers around TB6560AHQ with power supply circuitry of my own idea&design, sold like 30pcs so far and haven't had single failure or claim.On the other hand using stuff like A3977 or TB6560 or other similar would be a waste of really nice motor. I suppose you've paid a healthy sum for that motor (if new) so you can try controller+mosfet type of solution (like A3986/A4989 - the latter one very hard to buy in low quantity).