RepRap Stepper Driver v1.2 and Next Gen CNC

Let's Make Robots Robots
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In the picture from top-left, clockwise to bottom-left: the terminal block (24V power up to 13A), the 2 X-axis drivers, the Y-axis driver (blue heat sink), and the Z-axis driver (blue heat sink), the Arduino controller (direction x3/enable x3/step x3), and just below the terminal block there is

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/blog/show/reprap-stepper-driver-v1-2-and-next-gen-cnc
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New machine Q4-2013

Dear John_NY, have been almost 4 years since you wrote this note.

I’m interisting in build my first machine.

I have some L298N board ($5 in ebay) and Attiny 4313.

I’m thinking to buy A4988 board like RepRap recommend.
Meanwhile, i going to test your and TinHead propose to manage motors (Enable, Dir, Step) in Attiny.

I’m going to buy motors too, i have some small old printer motors, to test.
Inicial selection is 42BYGHW208  Nema17  12VDC  2.6 kg.cm  0.4A
why?

  1. low current (0.4A) to avoid heat (motor and driver) problems
  2. comercial voltage (12V) to use ATX power supply.
    I found great motors that work on 4.8V or less
    L298N and A4988 work >8V in motor side.
  3. good torque? i don’t know.
  4. good price. i think so ($15 each/one)

I would like to know your recommendations (years experience) about driver and motor, i would like to build one good cost/benefit machine.

To end, i recommend kicad as PCB design tool.

Regards.