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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    24

    Microstep driver pinouts

    I have a couple microstep drivers that I acquired surplus. model numbers 31234 and 30737. They look like very step drivers from leadshine and others and the silkscreen on the case is identical but these have a 10 pin connector instead of the screw terminals for the P+/- D+/- and Ena+/- I'd like to use these drivers in another project but it's confusing which physical pins correspond to the markings. I've searched Tormach's site and it just says these are obsolete and replaced with other models but there's no datasheet detailing the pin assignment.

    How can I tell which pins correspond to the markings?

    Attachment 376048

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    I guess one way is to look at the Tormach manuals to find the wiring diagram for a machine that used them

    but if I had them, I would look inside the driver and trace the connections between the 10 pin connector and the 3 input opto-isolators
    you may find its something like this :-
    Attachment 376056

    with common +5V terminal pins connected together for all of the opto-isolators and 1 or 2 pins connected to each step , direction & enable input input
    very often the enable input is a negative logic input so the drive will be enabled with no input !!!

    Hi resolution pictures of both sides of the board could make it possible to work out how the 10 pin connector is wired

    John

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    24

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    the 8 pin HCPL 2531 is a dual opto-isolator for the step & direction inputs

    with the limited view of the PCB tracks you will need to measure the continuity between the common +5V track to resistors R28 & R29 and the + 5V connector pin(s)
    (BTW you can see the resistors are 270 ohms )


    you can see the connection to pin 3 (cathode C2) of the HCPL 2531
    goes from the top of the board , through a via ( plated through hole) to a track on the under side connected to a pin on the 10pin connector - you will have to test to see if its the step or direction input

    the track from the HCPL 2531 pin 2 (cathode C1) to the other input on the 10 pin connector is not visible
    so you will need to test for continuity between the HCPL 2531 pin 2 and the 10 pin connector

    you only need to find the +5V , step & direction connections

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2531 dual opto-isolator & 817.jpg 
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    HCPL2531 pin out
    Attachment 376074

    the +5V from your breakout board will go to the driver +5V input
    you will have to guess which inputs are the step and direction

    if you have guessed correctly it should work
    if it does not work just change over the step & direction wires
    either the wires them selves or in software

    John

    PS
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	possible 10 pin connections v2.jpg 
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    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails possible 10 pin connections v2.jpg  

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    24

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    In case some weary traveler should find himself at this lonesome spot one day, I leave this token of my time here.

    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	376296

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    good,
    now you have traced the connections , you should have some use full stepper drivers

    adding your result to the diagram from post 4
    the input circuit looks like this :-
    Attachment 376324

    John

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    as a result of finding a thread on cnczone
    to connect a Gecko stepper driver to the 4th axis on a Tormach machine

    I have put the information from post 6 and this post :-
    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/tormac...able%20Pinout=

    in this :-
    Attachment 377754

    to show both the connections to use a Tormach driver with your own control
    or
    use a generic driver in a Tormach machine

    John

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    740

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    Quote Originally Posted by john-100 View Post
    as a result of finding ...
    HA! I thought those images looked very similar to my video... take a look:

    Attachment 400008Attachment 400010

    Just a bit of photoshop to renumber the wires etc...

    The original source can be found here:

    https://youtu.be/diCvwvHoCvg

    Step

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    that's because they are your pictures
    re numbered to match my diagram of the 10 way box header on the tormach driver
    shown in post 7

    John

    PS

    I have just re-checked the pin numbering of the 10 way box header
    Attachment 400032

    PPS
    with ribbon cables normally you would expect the wire with the red tracer to go to pin 1

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    483

    Re: Microstep driver pinouts

    Thanks John-100, your work came in super helpful when I tried to hook up a temporary drive on a Tormach 24R router. I can confirm that the 24R router uses the same exact 3 signal pins as you outline above.

    https://www.cnczone.com/forums/torma...c-tormach.html

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