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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    222

    DIY pic stepper upto 1/8 microstep

    here the site's owner's name is Alan, nice guy.

    it looks easy, few components, the LMD18245 is rather expensive,
    perhaps someone could make changes to the circuit and replace the
    LMD18245

    thnx
    mhel
    "This is intentionally left blank."

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    678
    Well what do you want?
    Easy with few components, or cheap with discrete components.
    I've seen that kind on a german forum, and there are several hundred posts whether one can substitute this or that part. And many end up frying something just because they assumed the same FET from another producer can be used. And it can not. The reason is right there in the datasheets, but most builders don't know how to read them.

    Using the LMD18245 means most people can duplicate it as long as they know which end of a soldering iron to grab without yelling out loud.
    It will do microstep easily because it has a built in DAC. Few of the competing circuits have that.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    222
    cheap would really be good, I guess ease would
    come along as I keep on going .
    mhel
    "This is intentionally left blank."

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    200
    LMD18245 is less then $14 from www.digikey.com

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    593
    I'd like to have a go at building this type of controller. The controllers I have do the job but they're cheap and nasty. No microstepping or fancy frills.

    I would like to mill the PCB tracks on my router but am unsure what I need to do.

    The guy has EPS, PDF, Gerber, RS-274X files, on the site for download, to manufacture the boards, but how do I use these with my controller software (Mach2). I assume I need some kind of conversion software before Mach2 can use them.

    Any suggestions would be good. Thanks.

    Regards Terry...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    222
    tekno: $14 = $CAD x 6, it's not for a hobbyist like me yet.
    I'm trying to learn PIC tho,( if I could only make my programmer work,
    I could actually start )

    MrBean: try the demo version of KCAM, it import gerber files, then save it
    as gcode or someth. (just a thought).
    mhel
    "This is intentionally left blank."

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    361
    I've using JDM programmer for years with no problems (desktop & notebook).
    Check out http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newver.htm

    For software, I've been using IcProg from http://www.ic-prog.com

    My driver is similar to yours (LMD18245+PIC16F628), works like a charm
    Stupid questions make me smarter...
    See how smart I've become at www.9w2bsr.com ;-P

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    222
    Abasir,

    It's not mine.
    OT: Do you know by chance if an 18f452 can be programmed with JDM?
    mhel
    "This is intentionally left blank."

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    361
    Yes, JDM+ICProg will program the PIC18Fxxx series.
    Stupid questions make me smarter...
    See how smart I've become at www.9w2bsr.com ;-P

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    222
    Thanks,
    I built the Schaer+ dedicated for pic18, support Hi Voltage Programming or something like that, the info says, and it finally works after a whole day of fiddling with it, mostly
    user error . I'm trying to build the pStep board from Luberth Dijkman's site, supposed
    to control stepper via serial port needs an actual motor driver tho. I managed to create
    a schematic from other circuits I found that uses the same components, but being a newbie and all, I'm having a hard time actually making the board using Eagle pcb demo.

    Thanks.


    p.s. If any kind hearted Eagle pcb wiz who (has time) might want to help me make a board layout, would be greatly appreciated. Eagle file attached feel free to change anything necessary.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    mhel
    "This is intentionally left blank."

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    361
    needed something to take my mind off other stuff, redid [slightly] placement of components, thickened all routes, spaced a liitle larger, optomized for single sided toner transfer fabrication..that's about it..
    remove .txt from file to use in Eagle..

    enjoy..
    Attached Files Attached Files

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    222
    vladdy, thanks for your time, but somehow
    I'm not able to open the file, I'm using V4.13 light.
    would you mind sending again or just make an eps,
    or if someone could chck if it's just on my pc.

    thanks.
    mhel
    "This is intentionally left blank."

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    361
    The BRD file here opens ok.. The one I posted there errors out on load.. Here's a repost with the file in ZIP'd format.. While I was at it I upgraded from 4.08R2 to 4.13.. might as well stay relatively current ..
    Attached Files Attached Files

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    361
    yeh, should be ok..
    here's a 3d preview with the 3D add-in for PovRay..didn't have image for your screw connectors, and the one diferent cap.. but looks ok anyways
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails pstep2.bmp  

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    37
    Hi all,
    Where can I find the artwork for this IC LMD18245?

    Thanks

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    222
    vladdy,

    thanks so much I really appreciate your help on this.
    I'll post any progress when I built it.

    satchild,
    if what you meant was the picstepper the site is this.
    mhel
    "This is intentionally left blank."

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    71
    Here are the boards for the lmd18245,

    http://www.embeddedtronics.com/microstep.html
    http://www.embeddedtronics.com/microsteppld.html

    Not open source but the code is posted as well as the schematic, design is proven. Boards are professionally done and are available if you find it too much of a bother to layout your own.

    Kin Fong
    http://www.embeddedtronics.com/
    Robotics, CNC, and Controllers

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    174
    I built the PicStep boards for all 3 axis and they work GREAT! The 1/8th mode is smooth and I haven't had a reason to go with anything else. The max amps it can handle is 3A per phase which is plenty for most people and the max voltage is 55vdc. I am running it at 24vdc and 1 amp per phase for my setup and working like a champ! If you know how to make boards and can solder then build your own!

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