Anybody wants a stepper motor analyzer?

zapta

Thanks @alankilian, I really appreciate it.

This falls into my hobby part of my life so my time if free and I enjoy it, not to mention giving back for all the help I have got here.

BTW, here is the Kidcad render of the PCB. The non populated components are not needed and were added to assist with the software development. The most difficult to solder are the two 0.5mm pitch flex cable connectors. I did solder them on the prototype but it was a pain (they bridge easily), so in this batch they will be soldered by the PCB vendor (JLCPCB), together with other components they stock. They don't have the Pico and the current sensor so I will solder them (easy) and so are the two connectors which need to be assembled in a certain way so they don't get shorted by the LCD on the other side.

Sotidii

I'd like one too

CCS86

It sounds like the first run might be sold out, but I am interested too.

What other features does it provide, besides the steps/s shown?

akstrfn

Count me in when you go for the second run

zapta

JLCPCB rejected the PCB order since one of the footprints was incorrect. I fixed it and increased the order to 20 PCBs. This run will still be of only 10 units (only 10 LCDs and Picos on order) but it will be easier to make the next 10.

This is the first order with this PCB layout so I don't want to commit to too many before validating it.

rtuinila

I would like one too!

droftarts

@zapta great work, well done. I’m waiting for @T3P3Tony to put my one of the old version together! I think we’re still waiting for the screen. A more commonly-available one would be good; maybe a PanelDue with different firmware?!

Ian

dc42

@zapta I would like one too.

fma

I think the first batch is already gone, but if you go for a second batch, I would like to order one analyser.

Thanks!

zapta

If everything will go as expected (JLCPCB assembling most of the components), it shouldn't be too difficult for me to assembled them and I should be able to make larger batches. Let's see how the first batch of 10 will go and if they will work well.

BTW, it's a bank holiday here today so I updated and released all the files https://github.com/zapta/simple_stepper_motor_analyzer . The enclosure was designed on Onshape and it makes it very easy to share an interactive 3D model with export capabilities. https://cad.onshape.com/documents/58d3fc7e6c256c4f6a684caf/v/194a8feb7fe55d4b68b92318/e/96371cb25b019416be0a198b

Egon.Net

@zapta could it be used to tune spreadcycle parameters?

Dudek23

@zapta I would like one too

dc42

@zapta I would like one too when you next do a run of them.

zapta

Good news, 20 PCBs arrived from JLPCB with some preassembled components. I built one using a screen I had and it seems to work. Now I am waiting for the screen and other components for the first batch of 10 to arrive, should be here within 2-3 weeks. Once this batch is shipped and has no problems, I will work on the next batch.

As arrived from JLCPCB:

Fully assembled:

Enclosed:

PastThePoint

@zapta is it too late to jump in on this??

Super interested!

Michael Hathaway

@zapta looks beautiful

A Former User

+1 (please) with shipping to germany

zapta

A quick update: Still waiting for some components to arrive from china (current sensors, connectors, and Picos). I ordered sensors and connectors with aliexpress-standard-shipping but it's still on the way, same for the Picos from Seeed. Meanwhile I decided to use the waiting time and printed enclosures

PastThePoint

@zapta I was too impatient to wait for the next run. LOL. I ordered a run of 30 PCB's from JLCPCB, they should leave China tomorrow. I'm having a slightly difficult time finding the ACS70331EOLCTR-2P5B3 current sensors here in the US. I have some coming from China, but, again, impatient. What were the 5A optional ones you had in mind? Maybe those will be easier to source?

Your work is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this!!!

zapta

Hi @pastthepoint, I am glad that other people building these boards. Do you remember when you downloaded the gerber files from github and what version number is printed on them? The reason is that at one point I changed the design to allow a usage of the Pico's Programmable IO so I wonder what version you have.

I believe that this is the CL that introduced the new version (MK3)
https://github.com/zapta/simple_stepper_motor_analyzer/commit/bc6e5b5a2bedd1de99014e725a0701d6f68a7b74#diff-ca5a89d660952f0b6ae9894238e524ca0ef82bbc301a53af0931c1be35b1f6eb

ACS70331EOLCTR-2P5B3 was always difficult to find in the US unless if you buy hundreds, or willing to use a smaller QFN package/footprint which is more difficult to solder manually. I order them from Aliexpress.

For the 5A ACS70331EOLCTR-005B3 should fit but never tried it. It will also require a change in the firmware for the new scale (otherwise everything will work but current readings will be 50% of actual).

Let me know if you encounter any issue.

0

zapta committed to zapta/simple_stepper_motor_analyzer

Updated kicad files for MK3