Mosfet and a a4988 driver to run a nema 24

[adreca]

Has anyone here used a a4988 (or any other driver) to run nema 24 steppers? I am building an cnc machine but find the drivers to be ludicrously expensive. Or any other solutions to save some cash. 

[pickit2]

you do jest An A4988 is good for about 1.4 amps.
Even for a nema23 I would use a driver rated at 5to6 amp.
You need to read the spec of the Motor, not just it's size, don't try to cut corners, it will cost you.

[Manuel]

Agree pickit2 !

A4988 are weak to ESD !!!!

take care,
X!

[mars01]

You can make your own driver using for example a TMC5160 https://www.trinamic.com/products/integrated-circuits/details/tmc5160/ and some external mosfet's.

[pickit2]

What motor do you have, only nema 23 and nema 24 are basic the same mounting size.
But then I was thinking I bought 3 nema 34, for less than 3 nema 23, now they are so much larger.

also size is all about what are you building a 1W lazer head don't need large motors. but a spindle will.

[zab]

There are 2 possible ways 1 is to use dedicated mosfet driver like ir2110 with mosfet . you will need 2 drivers ics and 4 n type mosfet to make a set. these driver have charge pump circuit builtin so single supply will be enough for high and low side mosfets. the second is little bit difficult,you need 2 isolated supply for each high side mosfet along with 1 supply for both low side mosfets. for driver you can choose 2 complementary transistor circuit with high side opto couplers.or you can use 4 optocouplers with transistor for each mosfet.

[Manuel]

DRV8825

take care.
X!

[pickit2]

DRV8825

take care.
X!

you jest
TI’s DRV8825 microstepping bipolar stepper motor driver features adjustable current limiting, over-current and over-temperature protection, and six microstep resolutions (down to 1/32-step). It operates from 8.2 V to 45 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.5 A per phase


Posted on: April 10, 2020, 06:12:30 18:12 - Automerged

There are 2 possible ways 1 is to use dedicated mosfet driver like ir2110 with mosfet . you will need 2 drivers ics and 4 n type mosfet to make a set. these driver have charge pump circuit builtin so single supply will be enough for high and low side mosfets. the second is little bit difficult,you need 2 isolated supply for each high side mosfet along with 1 supply for both low side mosfets. for driver you can choose 2 complementary transistor circuit with high side opto couplers.or you can use 4 optocouplers with transistor for each mosfet.

And if you have £200 to £300 investment in Stepper Motors you would do this?

[Manuel]

Dear pickit2,

to be honest with the right heating you can pump up to 2.5A per phase, not bad for such a driver at low cost.

We do not have the motor datasheet so i thing can be a good start point .... at least absolutely better than the one considered (A4988). Same driving...better performances .

Anyhow in the family from TI even product like DRV8711 can be used with 1/256 micro-step , 8V to 52V , with driving N-ChannelMOSFETs.
With this you can push and drive as you like.
I would say it's an amazing product.

Take care,
X!

Posted on: April 10, 2020, 09:13:11 21:13 - Automerged
Anyhow, based on the powerful suggested DRV8711 many working design can be found on the net, including driving sources (i saw).

Try looking for  "drv8711 pololu" , maybe it can fully answer Adreca initial question.

Enjoy & take care.

X!

[pickit2]

The question is you buy a stepper motor for up to £100 build or convert a £1500 plus cnc lathe, mill or other.
investment £300 to £500 on motors alone.

Then you add a £1 driver, then add some fet's and other components, add a pcb board, build time and fix any faults,
such as over heating, missing steps, noise and add a case.

Buying the right kit you start working, not inventing.

also you may want to use a clone Dremel or a power lazar or a spindle.

Here is a project I started a few years ago. there is a small cnc behind the newer Y&Z beam. the uprights are 3/4" (from memory)
the motors that were used are nema 23 or nema 34

[Manuel]

For sure you are right !

Depend on what you want to do, play, invest, grow experience....

take care,
X!