[samualt]

Anyone know what the absolute cheapest stepper motor controller is? I was thinking about playing with homebrew 3D-scanners so I wouldn't need much of a controller.

[ger21]

Possibly this one, but you have to build it yourself. http://www.embeddedtronics.com See microstepping. Or Hobby CNC

[cbcnc]

Here's one:
Simplest Stepper Controller
There is several basic designs there. All homebrew though.

Chris

[davesaudio]

http://www.electronickits.com/kit/co...tor/ck1405.htm

[CoffeeRich]

I saw the kits from electronickits.com and Im curious as to how you can hook up the parallel link to it? Would it be hooked to where S2 is? Is there anyone here that has done a 4-axis version of this? Im looking to build a router/foam cutter(convertible) with a 4 axis board or set of boards.

[starCNC]

xylotex is good, but i think 3amp chopper from hobbycnc is better.

Xylotex is hard to setup home and limit switches and its 2amp chopper.

[davesaudio]

what chip is in the hobbycnc?

[pminmo]

The hobbycnc board is unipolar if that makes a difference.

[666]

I would recommend an 8 pin pic12c508a and 4 mosfets. No additional components needed for unipolar step/dir driving.

Regards...

666

[ringram2077]

If you want a bipolar drive look at this:

http://www.electronickits.com/kit/co...tor/ck1406.htm

I have three of them working in my cnc router. Doubt that it will do 6 amps though without beefing up the circuit traces. These do not offer microstepping. I added heatsinks. The parallel interface in one I saw at PMinMO here:
http://www.pminmo.com/wiki/index.php...4axisinterface

I have been happy with the results.

[martinw]

Dear samualt,

If you can handle a soldering iron, and if you can find this old chip, try the SAA1027.

Data sheet here....http://www.sfu.ca/phys/430/datasheets/saa1027.pdf

It is really simple to use.

Best wishes

Martin

[Mariss Freimanis]

Anyone know what the absolute cheapest stepper motor controller is? I was thinking about playing with homebrew 3D-scanners so I wouldn't need much of a controller.

Absolute cheapest? A pair of SPDT toggle switches.:-)

Mariss

[sdopp]

Mariss
great answer, I love it.

[martinw]

Absolute cheapest? A pair of SPDT toggle switches.:-)

Mariss

Please post logic de-bounce circuit.

Best wishes

Martin

[gmfoster]

Absolute cheapest? A pair of SPDT toggle switches.:-)

Mariss

Marris

Have you priced switches lately?

Garry