Initial A3979 Stepper Driver DevelopmentA new driver based on the A3979 chip is in development. The A3979 is a tough chip to use since it needs ample and large contiguous copper surface area for heat dissipation. The great aspects of this driver chip is the integrated translator, the power for 2.5 amps per phase, and the ability to set to 1/16 microstepping. This driver requires less peripheral circuitry and may allow me to put three drivers on one board. I am also planning on making a small driver board if another 4th axis, or 4th motor is needed. Another reason this driver chip is used is that the cost is low and I don't need a microcontroller sending out PWM (pulse width modulation) to the vref of other non integrated drivers to get the 1/16 microstepping. The board and schematic will be available for download. I would recommend this project for the advanced level hobbyists.
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