Stepper Driver Expansion Module for Duet WiFi

felt342

Hello,

I was looking through the shop page on duet3d.com and saw this board for Duet Maestro - https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Dual_Stepper_Driver_Expansion_Module

Is there something that exists similar to the Duet Wifi? I do have fried one stepper driver on my board, and to replace the driver it takes too much hassle. I don't want to remove and detach all cabling at this moment as it's all nicely organized already. Also, I can`t do replacing by myself, so finding somebody and shipping somewhere else that's also a bit tricky. Having an expansion module with one or two stepper drivers will solve a lot of headaches

Is there something aftermarket or from duet3d? Thank you, folks!

Phaedrux

Well there is the Duex 2

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duex2_and_Duex5_Features#main

Alternatively you can use an external stepper driver connected to the expansion pins step dir pins or via the breakout board.

https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duet_Expansion_Breakout_Board

felt342

@Phaedrux

Yes, but duex 2 is an expensive piece and it is also bigger. And if I don't need all the rest connections , then its a bit of waste in my opinion.

Using a separate driver through the breakout its a worth a try! Can you maybe suggest please any good stepper driver which will operate the same way as duet have and can be plug and play to the breakout? Thanks!

Phaedrux

I don't believe you can (edit: easily) use external steppers in the same software configurable way as the onboard drivers. You can choose any suitable driver that accepts a step and direction signal.

A Former User

you can use external smart drivers if they are the same as the on board drivers, i.e. TMC2660 for the Duet2Wifi - unfortunately they are not (as) readily available as stand alone modules/stepsticks.

https://reprap.org/wiki/TMC2660-Dual_Stepper_Board this would work if you could find somewhere to buy it.

JoergS5

TMC2660-BOB is available, but the SPI programming is to be solved.

A Former User

yeah, i did add the link to that, but its not all that economical compared to the extra fuzz vs the plug and play of the duex2.

the spi stuff is already taken care of by the firmware as it uses the same bus as the onboard drivers and chip select signals are available on the duex expansion.

felt342

I see guys, thanks for explanation. I guess duex2 is the way to go!

troy_proffitt

@felt342

I am using THIS driver.

Here is how you wire it using just the expansion header:

ENA - goes to E2_EN on the header
ENA + goes to 3.3v on the header
DIR - goes to ground
DIR + goes to E2_DIR on the header
PUL - goes to ground
PUL + goes to E2_STEP on the header

JoergS5

@troy_proffitt in most cases connecting ENA produces more damage than not connecting. ENA is for disabling often, and default is enabled if not connected.

https://www.mcielectronics.cl/website_MCI/static/documents/TB6600_data_sheet.pdf last image confirms that TB6600 is like the other drivers in this respect.

A Former User

Unless I misread OP he wanted something that would operate the same way as the Duet - which I interpret as setting current and micro-stepping in the config file just like the Duet. TB6600 will not achieve that, only TMC2660 based drivers with SPI will do that on a Duet 2 Wifi (and only TMC2204 on the Maestro)

Otherwise any stepper driver with step/dir signal can be used, incl TMC step sticks in "dumb" mode i.e. configured by pins not by communication bus.

JoergS5

I agree with you, my comment was only about how to connect TB6600.

Duex 2 provides a better integration into Duet, it is controlled by firmware directly and is included in the M122 report. The microstepping with interpolation to 256 inside the TMC driver is also an advantage to the external drivers (lower steps/second).

felt342

Well yeah basically I would be happy to have something like duex2, but just with 1 or 2 stepper driver, without any heaters e.t.c in a small form factor. So for now - duex2 is probably I will buy in nearest future.

Just to understand and learn for myself - why toolboard for duet wifi is not developed like for duet3? Is there an connection limitation in duet wifi or something else? Thanks

Phaedrux

@felt342 said in Stepper Driver Expansion Module for Duet WiFi:

why toolboard for duet wifi is not developed like for duet3?

Different time and different place?