AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
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15 Aug 2025 02:47 - 15 Aug 2025 03:26 #333448
by rhscdn
AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings was created by rhscdn
I have minimal documentation on the AXYZ stepper drives (AXI 2200 microstepper). I have a wiring diagram and some calibration data for the machine size, steps/mm, velocity and acceleration. However, I don’t have specs on the drive step timing (ie step time, step space, dir hold, dir setup) in nanoseconds.
Is it safe to just try a few of the pre-configured Geko drives and see what happens? Overall, how big of
an issue is this and what are my options to figure it out?
Is it safe to just try a few of the pre-configured Geko drives and see what happens? Overall, how big of
an issue is this and what are my options to figure it out?
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Last edit: 15 Aug 2025 03:26 by rhscdn. Reason: Typo dir
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- tommylight
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15 Aug 2025 03:01 #333450
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
Start with generic values, should be 5000/5000, direction is not important so leave it at 20000.
You can safely try Gecko settings, mark the motor pulley/shaft with a marker and set it to go back and forth several turns and several times, see if it returns exactly where you marked it, if it misses even by a very small bit, do not use those settings on a production machine.
You can safely try Gecko settings, mark the motor pulley/shaft with a marker and set it to go back and forth several turns and several times, see if it returns exactly where you marked it, if it misses even by a very small bit, do not use those settings on a production machine.
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15 Aug 2025 03:15 #333451
by rhscdn
Replied by rhscdn on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
Thanks! I really appreciate all the advice. Will give it a try tomorrow and report back.
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16 Aug 2025 02:41 #333495
by rhscdn
Replied by rhscdn on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
Well, not much progress tonight. I think I need to take a step back and better understand what signals linuxCNC and the Mesa card is producing for the PnCconf settings. Doing some research online suggests I’m not alone in struggling to get these undocumented stepper drivers to work. I foolishly messed with the output side wiring voltage divider this evening (without having adequate documentation) and the stepper driver released some magic smoke. Sigh. I am hopeful it was only the driver that died.
Looks like I’ll need to look at replacing the stepper drivers. Are there budget options? Motor size below.
Looks like I’ll need to look at replacing the stepper drivers. Are there budget options? Motor size below.
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16 Aug 2025 03:08 #333497
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
Drive pictures?
Motors look like 4 wire ones, so Bipolar, so even cheap China drives should work, those "TB6600" that use TB67S109 chip are pretty good and are the cheapest enclosed drives at about 10-15$ a piece.
If you just want to get the best stepper drives, LAM Technologies are the best i have used, but at 100$ and up a piece are not cheap. DS1044 should be more than enough for most hobby or semi professional use, and the above price is only when they are on discount at www.mechapro.de, and do not mind the disparity between the current ratings, LAM insist on printing only the real current they can do so 4A drive is the usual inflated 5.6A. This is very important as if you set them to 3A for a 3A china motor, that motor will be smoking soon.
Motors look like 4 wire ones, so Bipolar, so even cheap China drives should work, those "TB6600" that use TB67S109 chip are pretty good and are the cheapest enclosed drives at about 10-15$ a piece.
If you just want to get the best stepper drives, LAM Technologies are the best i have used, but at 100$ and up a piece are not cheap. DS1044 should be more than enough for most hobby or semi professional use, and the above price is only when they are on discount at www.mechapro.de, and do not mind the disparity between the current ratings, LAM insist on printing only the real current they can do so 4A drive is the usual inflated 5.6A. This is very important as if you set them to 3A for a 3A china motor, that motor will be smoking soon.
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16 Aug 2025 03:29 - 16 Aug 2025 03:37 #333498
by rhscdn
Replied by rhscdn on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
The original stepper drive photos are in the 1st post.
At this point, I’m really looking for budget friendly. If/when I get the machine moving with the new Mesa card, I will look at upgrading the stepper drivers. The stepper driver power supply I have is putting out 40VDC. The TB6600 looks to have a rating of 9-42vdc and 4A but the motor lists 5A. Is that going to be an issue? The price is right. Would a DM556 20-50vdc and max 5.6A be a better option?
At this point, I’m really looking for budget friendly. If/when I get the machine moving with the new Mesa card, I will look at upgrading the stepper drivers. The stepper driver power supply I have is putting out 40VDC. The TB6600 looks to have a rating of 9-42vdc and 4A but the motor lists 5A. Is that going to be an issue? The price is right. Would a DM556 20-50vdc and max 5.6A be a better option?
Last edit: 16 Aug 2025 03:37 by rhscdn. Reason: Added dm556
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16 Aug 2025 04:49 #333499
by rodw
Replied by rodw on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
The DM542A can handle 50 volts so a good match to a 48 volt power supply. Quite a bit cheaper than the Lam DS1044.
I would not get the TB6600
I would not get the TB6600
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16 Aug 2025 15:47 - 16 Aug 2025 15:48 #333516
by rhscdn
Replied by rhscdn on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
Here is what I’m seeing regarding specs. Recall, I have 42V and the stepper is listed at 5A.
DM542 2-phase stepper motor driver
* Output Peak Current: 1.0~4.2A (3.0 RMS)
* Input Voltage: +20~50VDC (Typical 36VDC)
DM556 2-phase stepper motor driver
* Output Peak Current: 1.8~5.6A (4.0 RMS)
* Input Voltage: +20~50VDC (Typical 24-48VDC)
DM860 2phase stepper motor driver
* Output Peak Current: 2.4~7.2A
* Input Voltage: +18~60VDC
DM542 2-phase stepper motor driver
* Output Peak Current: 1.0~4.2A (3.0 RMS)
* Input Voltage: +20~50VDC (Typical 36VDC)
DM556 2-phase stepper motor driver
* Output Peak Current: 1.8~5.6A (4.0 RMS)
* Input Voltage: +20~50VDC (Typical 24-48VDC)
DM860 2phase stepper motor driver
* Output Peak Current: 2.4~7.2A
* Input Voltage: +18~60VDC
Last edit: 16 Aug 2025 15:48 by rhscdn.
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16 Aug 2025 15:50 #333517
by rhscdn
Replied by rhscdn on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
DM542 Has a better voltage range, but is still small in current output (4A peak).
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16 Aug 2025 15:59 #333518
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic AXYZ retrofit - Stepper driver settings
If you can choose from the 3 you listed, DM860 for sure.
It is the only of those 3 that can drive your motors properly.
It is the only of those 3 that can drive your motors properly.
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