Anybody wants a stepper motor analyzer?
-
Hi @webhunter, build 30 units and gave to people here at cost. Currently I don't plan to build additional ones but all the files are in public domain and anybody is invited to build, including commercially.
-
-
@webhunter You can certainly get your own pcb (note, not assembled with components) from a place like JLCPCB or OshPark and build it yourself, or source assembled units from JLCPCB using the source files.
-
@webhunter, I used the files here to order the boards from JLCPCB with SMD service.
https://github.com/zapta/simple_stepper_motor_analyzer/tree/main/kicad/JLCPCB
It includes only the components they support which means that some parts you will need to order and solder yourself (the two current sensors, the two connectors, the Raspberry Pico module, and then you will need to attach and connect the TFT module). Make sure to get the exact TFT module for compatibility with the hardware and firmware.
Of course you can get bare boards and solder everything yourself but it depends on your SMD soldering skills. The TFT connectors have 0.5mm pitch and it's easy to bridge adjacent pins (and it's possible to fix if you or JLCPCB happened to bridge them).
Let me know if you have further questions.
Edit:
- When ordering from JLCPCB with SMD service, they will fix the orientation of a few components. That's normal since they assume different footprints.
- PCBWAY may provide a more complete service (with current sensors and Pico board soldered) but ordering SMD service from them is slightly more involved.
-
@zapta one Idea would be to integrate the RP2040 directly. Will Look Into that Option If i have any time
-
Hello everyone.
Just a quick update. I finally got time to build a couple of the analyzers. I will go in tonight and do some testing. Once I'm done I will have a couple available. Send me a message and let me know if you're interested.
-
@pcr, yes, using rp2040 directly would be a good move forward, considering that JLCP now carries it as a standard SMD service part.
Dustin Watts, the designer of ESP32 Tochdown (which which I copied the form factor and TFT model) mentioned recently doing something similar to his product and may have schematics to share (he is available on his Discord channel and is very open source friendly).
https://www.tindie.com/products/dustinwattsnl/esp32-touchdown/
Another good move would be to switch to a current sensor that JLCPCB carries (I found an allegro +/-5A with 5V supply and lower bandwidth one that may fit with some adaptations). Or, placing the SMD service order with PCBWAY which has access to more parts (Dustin Watt order from them and they also sponsor his YT channel)
@Th0mpy , that's awesome.
-
I have some sensors from the legacy one left. So i will build some of the pico ones.
Anyone wants one in europe
-
I'm working on battery powered one. Consumtion is 220mAh so around 2H autonomy. Charge and use as the same time when USB plugged. Small Housing redesign, 1mm thicker.
Still waiting sensors from china (hard to find them in europe!) -
The current sensors that used to cost $1.39 each are now $6.12, from the same vendor, due to the global semiconductor shortage.
-
A side note, if you want to make a stepper extension cable or need for any other reason connectors that mate with the Duet's 4 pin kk connectors, these DigiKey part numbers seems to fit
WM13471-ND ; housing
WM2330CT-ND ; pins
-
This post is deleted! -
@zapta
The current sensors are £3.35 each, if you buy ten, from the same supplier via this site:
https://gbr.grandado.com/products/10pcs-lot-acs70331eolctr-2p5b3-acs70331-a70331-70331-sop-8-ic-chip-original?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtrSLBhCLARIsACh6Rmi87C-4ieahOuPrFe5HqIFy459C3PG6qSX53DwHaApaXtR0o5t1YjEaAsZZEALw_wcB&variant=UHJvZHVjdFZhcmlhbnQ6MjUzMzY3MTI3I've just ordered five PCBs and ten sensors; I'll probably build two units myself so if anyone in the UK wants a board or sensors (at cost) let me know.
-
This post is deleted! -
@rjenkinsgb, that looks as a good price considering the current shortage.
Please be aware that there are fake allegro ICs on the market. If you buy through Aliexpress they will give you a refund if you got faked. The signs of faked current sensors are
- Pins 1,2 are not shorted.
- Pins 2,4 are not shorted.
- The face is sanded (below the new marking) and the pin 1 dimple is shallow or non visible.
-
@th0mpy definitely interested.
-
Someone have 2X spares ACS70331 to sell in europe ?, can't find them. Thanks
-
Well, JLC are on excellent form as usual - the five PCBs arrived yesterday.
The current sensors have been despatched, but I don't have a delivery date yet.
I will post an update when they arrive.
-
-
Dear zapta, this is lb (deleted my account a few month back because of private/personal issues) but suddenly I recieved "my" stepper-analyzer (tried to cancel my order last minute before deleting my account in a private chat with you, but maybe it got also deleted when I deleted my account and you never had a chance to read the chat-message?). I bought an amazon gift card at a local shop here, and now would like to send all info related to it in a private message: But since this account is brand-new just for this purpose, I do not have enough rights/priviliges to start a private chat with you... Could you open a chat so I can send you the photos of the card with serial and bill and all of that? (Sorry to cause you so much trouble, I should have waited for a reply in the private chat for the cancelling of the order before deleting my account, so it is my fault. The stepper analyzer actually looks pretty cool! Congrats!)
Best regards
