Summary of The Big Easy Stepper Motor Driver
Stepper motors provide precise position control, ideal for automation, though they trade speed for accuracy and require constant power. This article introduces the Big EasyDriver, a robust driver capable of handling larger motors and offering microstepping adjustments. It clarifies that drivers power the motor, allowing users to select appropriate voltage for the driver rather than the motor directly.
Parts used in the Big Easy Stepper Motor Driver Project:
- Stepper (or step) motors
- Big EasyDriver Stepper Motor Driver
Stepper (or step) motors are really cool. They are perfect for automation or any time you need a motor to turn to a specific point, at a specific speed, in a specific direction. And, unlike typical motors, steppers are able to do all of this, and hold their position when they are not moving – The trade off is that they cant move as fast, and you have to power them at full power all the time, but you get total control in return.
teppers have a minimum amount they can move known as a step. You can feel these steps if you slowly turn your stepper by hand. The most common steppers have 200 steps per revolution, so all movement is in 1.8º increments (360º / 200). Controlling them can get tricky at first, so today we are doing an article on using the Big EasyDriver Stepper Motor Driver. The big easyDriver is the big brother of the easy driver we wrote about last year. It is able to take a lot more abuse and power, so it isn’t as easy to destroy as the easy driver, can power much larger motors, and it also gives you a little more control by letting you change the microstepping setting.
Motor Voltage / Current
A lot of people ask about what voltage they should use to power their motor. Well, when using a stepper driver, you are powering the driver, not the motor. The driver will take over powering the motor for you.
Read More: The Big Easy Stepper Motor Driver
- What are stepper motors perfect for?
They are perfect for automation or any time you need a motor to turn to a specific point, at a specific speed, in a specific direction. - How do steppers hold their position?
Unlike typical motors, steppers can hold their position when they are not moving. - What is the trade-off for using steppers?
The trade off is that they cant move as fast, and you have to power them at full power all the time. - How many steps per revolution do most common steppers have?
The most common steppers have 200 steps per revolution. - What degree increments does a standard stepper move in?
All movement is in 1.8º increments. - What advantage does the Big EasyDriver offer over the easy driver?
It is able to take a lot more abuse and power, so it isn't as easy to destroy. - Can the Big EasyDriver power larger motors?
Yes, it can power much larger motors. - What extra control feature does the Big EasyDriver provide?
It gives you a little more control by letting you change the microstepping setting. - Who powers the motor when using a stepper driver?
The driver will take over powering the motor for you.
