Do I need to buy Konnect Optical I/O Expansion Board?

Good day!

I have 4 step motors, 1 stop buton, 8 end sensors, 4 pneumo relay for suction cups.

I am going to buy 1) KFLOP, 2) KStep Microstepper Amplifier for KFLOP.

Do I need to buy Konnect Optical I/O Expansion Board?, - as amplifier for KFLOP already has optoisolated inputs and outputs.

Hi RuslanRobot,

KFLOP+KStep should cover all that except KStep only has 2 opto outputs. So you would be 2 short. You might add 2 additional opto isolated relays. Or some 3rd party relay driver board such as this. Or Konnect.

I see the KStep Amplifier for KFLOP https://www.dynomotion.com/KStep.html

It will drive 4 motors and emit heat.
I don't understand - How to cool this board?
Shold I buy radiator? - but I don't see the place to where it must be installed.

Hi RuslanRobot,

KStep uses very efficient MOSFETS (17 milliohms) so very little heat is created and the Printed Circuit Board itself is a sufficient heat sink. However if enclosed in a box some airflow through the box should be provided.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TomKerekes

Hi RuslanRobot,

KFLOP+KStep should cover all that except KStep only has 2 opto outputs. So you would be 2 short. You might add 2 additional opto isolated relays. Or some 3rd party relay driver board such as this. Or Konnect.

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We are going to use opto isolated relay, and connect it to JP4 or JP6 - can you advise what better? (JP7 used with KStep).
Where is described the milliampere current on JP4 and JP6? - we can't find it in manual.
What is the milliampere current limit on JP4 and JP6?
We can't connect the relay driver board, as we afrade to spoil Kflop....

Hi RuslanRobot,

The 8 IO on each of JP4 and JP6 with 150 ohm pull down resistors can sink 16ma and source 1ma to LVTTL levels.

The last 2 IO without pull down resistors can source and sink 16ma.

KStep has 2 Optically Isolated relay drivers (100ma @ 36V). Could you use those?

There are also 3rd party relay driver boards such as this.

Or Konnect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TomKerekes

Hi RuslanRobot,

The 8 IO on each of JP4 and JP6 with 150 ohm pull down resistors can sink 16ma and source 1ma to LVTTL levels.

The last 2 IO without pull down resistors can source and sink 16ma.

KStep has 2 Optically Isolated relay drivers (100ma @ 36V). Could you use those?

There are also 3rd party relay driver boards such as this.

Or Konnect.

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Let me reformulate my question (as am not sure, that I understand your answer):
Opto isolated relay consume 9 milliamperes, 3.3V. Can we connect this relay to JP4 or JP6? Will this load spoil Kflop or not?

Regarding KStep 2 Opticall drivers - we need to connect 4 chanell relay, that is why I am asking about JP4 or JP6.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TomKerekes

Hi RuslanRobot,

KStep uses very efficient MOSFETS (17 milliohms) so very little heat is created and the Printed Circuit Board itself is a sufficient heat sink. However if enclosed in a box some airflow through the box should be provided.

---

Good day!
kStep board-warms up to 75 degrees Celsius, Kflop is heated to 52 degrees Celsius. See video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17rL...ew?usp=sharing
We use NEMA 23 stepper motors (4 amp current, Resistance, 0.9 ohm).
Is it normal that the boards heats up so much?

Hi RuslanRobot,

Wow nice thermal imaging. What are you using to measure?

KStep requires no heat sink and no fan but consequentially may run somewhat warm. The KStep MOSFETS have a rated junction operating temperature of 150C so I wouldn't expect a problem. KFLOP's DSP has a rated operating temperature of 90C.

We haven't heard of any overheating issues.

What is your ambient temperature and do you have some airflow?