a5:stepper-drivers

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a5:stepper-drivers [2018/06/30 22:24] – [Tuning TMC2XXX Stepper Drivers] aeketa5:stepper-drivers [2020/12/25 02:13] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ====== Tuning & Upgrading the Stepper Drivers ====== ====== Tuning & Upgrading the Stepper Drivers ======
  
-The A5 and A3S printers use a MKS GEN L motherboard, which features replaceable standard “stepstick” format stepper drivers. These small modules can be replaced with better quality drivers if desired, or simply swapped out if they are damaged.+The A5 and A3S printers use a MKS GEN L motherboard, which features replaceable standard “stepstick” format stepper drivers that are responsible for powering and controlling the printer motors. These small modules can be [[a5:upgrade-stepper-drivers-tmc|replaced with better quality drivers]] if desired, or simply swapped out if they are damaged.
  
 The stepper drivers must be set to the correct power level, to ensure the right amount of power is provided for the motor size being used. On each stepper driver, there is a small variable potentiometer (resistor) that sets a reference voltage to tell the driver how much current to deliver to the motor. This potentiometer can be turned with a small screwdriver.  The stepper drivers must be set to the correct power level, to ensure the right amount of power is provided for the motor size being used. On each stepper driver, there is a small variable potentiometer (resistor) that sets a reference voltage to tell the driver how much current to deliver to the motor. This potentiometer can be turned with a small screwdriver. 
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 The reference voltage, or VREF, can be measured with a multimeter from the metal potentiometer top, to a ground point on the motherboard. The maximum VREF that a stepper driver is rated for, is typically determined when using a heatsink that is cooled by a fan. In the JGAurora A5 and A3S, there is no internal active cooling inside the main chassis, so care must be taken to avoid the drivers overheating. When stepper drivers overheat, they are not usually damaged, but they will auto-shut down until their temperature drops back down to a suitable working level. The reference voltage, or VREF, can be measured with a multimeter from the metal potentiometer top, to a ground point on the motherboard. The maximum VREF that a stepper driver is rated for, is typically determined when using a heatsink that is cooled by a fan. In the JGAurora A5 and A3S, there is no internal active cooling inside the main chassis, so care must be taken to avoid the drivers overheating. When stepper drivers overheat, they are not usually damaged, but they will auto-shut down until their temperature drops back down to a suitable working level.
  
-Different models of stepper driver, have different maximum current ratings. To work out the current output, each stepper driver also has a specific formula that allows the output current to be calculated from the reference voltage.+Different models of stepper driver, have different maximum current ratings. To work out the current output, each stepper driver also has a specific formula that allows the output current to be calculated from the reference voltage. Make sure you are using the VREF suggestions for your specific type of stepper driver!
  
  
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 | Example of Ground (GND) point:   | {{:a5:gnd.jpg?nolink&200|}} {{:a5:stepper_vref2.jpg?nolink&200|}} | | Example of Ground (GND) point:   | {{:a5:gnd.jpg?nolink&200|}} {{:a5:stepper_vref2.jpg?nolink&200|}} |
-| Example of VRef measuring points:  | {{:a5:stepper_vref1.jpg?nolink&200|}}  |+| Example of VRef measuring points (**only for A4988**):  | {{:a5:stepper_vref1.jpg?nolink&200|}}  |
  
  
  
 ===== Tuning the Stock A4988 Stepper Driver Vref ===== ===== Tuning the Stock A4988 Stepper Driver Vref =====
-The voltages below are recommended for stock A4988 stepper drivers only:+The voltages below are recommended for stock A4988 stepper drivers only and are calculated with the formula below:
   * Axis = Vref   * Axis = Vref
   * X = 0.4 - 0.55V   * X = 0.4 - 0.55V
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   * E = 0.55 - 0.6V   * E = 0.55 - 0.6V
  
-----+VREF = Rated Motor Current(2 amps) * 8 * 0.05 = your VREF value to set on the driver. 
 +===== Tuning TMC2XXX Stepper Drivers =====
  
-===== How to Upgrade Stepper Drivers to TMC2XXX (TMC2100, TMC2130, TMC2208) ===== +If you have [[a5:upgrade-stepper-drivers-tmc|upgraded your stepper drivers]], then it is still important to tune your stepper driver properly!
-There are two excellent videos by [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHsEE5cIC8gvoS5D4MkJUWQ|Da Hai Zhu]] on how to upgrade stepper drivers to TMC2130, both in Standalone and SPI mode +
-  * Watch Part 1 Here: [[https://youtu.be/Ul2rboKmc6g|Basic Installation of TMC2130]] +
-  * Watch Part 2 Here: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9KJ2d5es3I|Setting up SPI mode.]]+
  
- 
-====Tuning TMC2XXX Stepper Drivers==== 
 The motor current must be sufficient to prevent stalling, but too high a current can cause the TMC2XXX to shut down due to overheating. **Cooling of the TMC2XXX stepper drivers with a fan is ESSENTIAL** for reliable operation. They may be quiet, but they are certainly run hot! The motor current must be sufficient to prevent stalling, but too high a current can cause the TMC2XXX to shut down due to overheating. **Cooling of the TMC2XXX stepper drivers with a fan is ESSENTIAL** for reliable operation. They may be quiet, but they are certainly run hot!
  
 === Manual Current Setting via Vref === === Manual Current Setting via Vref ===
-The voltages below are suggested for stock A4988 stepper drivers only:+The voltages below are suggested for TMC2130 stepper drivers only (November 2019):
   * Axis = Vref   * Axis = Vref
-  * X = 0.8V +  * X = 0.9V 
-  * Y = 1.4V +  * Y = 1.2V 
-  * Z = 0.8V +  * Z = 1.75V 
-  * E = 1V+  * E = 0.70V
  
 **IMPORTANT POINTS:** **IMPORTANT POINTS:**
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- +Good info on tune vref for tmc2130 on the voron page [[https://github.com/mzbotreprap/VORON/wiki/Stepper-Driver-Setup-&-Tuning|here]]
- +
----- +
- +
-=== TMC 2208 === +
-**How to set the stepper motor current?** +
-Here is an online calculator for the TMC 2208 Stepper Drivers: +
-https://learn.watterott.com/silentstepstick/faq/ +
-Here is a video how to install the TMC2208 to the MKS_GEN_L Mainboard +
-for the purpose of noise reduction: +
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7JhtnU8zlw +
-**Installation** +
-Leave the MS1, MS2 and MS3 jumper plugged in. +
-The TMC2208 needs a reverse drive on the DIR signal like the A4988.  +
-This can be adjusted in the firmware.  +
-Otherwise the engine will run in the wrong direction. +
- +
-**Adjust the following option in the file "Configuration.h":** +
-// Invert the stepper direction +
-#define INVERT_X_DIR false // TMC2208 +
-#define INVERT_Y_DIR true // TMC2208 +
- +
-**Current setting:** +
-VREF 1.41V eq. 1.0A @ 50C motor temperature. +
-The TMC2208 stepper driver includes the function of TL-Smoothers.  +
-So it does not make sense to install this extension when using the TMC2208. +
- +
- +
-==== TODO: Work in progress .... =====+
  
 TODO - good discussion [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/857364187778691/permalink/905302606318182/|here]] regarding appropriate vref. TODO - good discussion [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/857364187778691/permalink/905302606318182/|here]] regarding appropriate vref.
  
- 
-Good info on tune vref for tmc2130 on the voron page [[https://github.com/mzbotreprap/VORON/wiki/Stepper-Driver-Setup-&-Tuning|here]] 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
-Several different  of stepper drivers are 
-**[TODO...]  
-** 
- 
-Types 
- 
-A4988, DRV8825, TMC21XX, TMC2208, THB8128, others 
- 
-Pros/Cons 
- 
-Tuning stepper driver current, Vref etc 
- 
-Microstepping & jumpers 
- 
-Changing firmware steps/mm, changing active high/low 
- 
-TL Smoother & Salmon Skin 
a5/stepper-drivers.1530361489.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/12/25 02:13 (external edit)