Standard StepStick Driver Modules
Standard StepStick (also called Pololu) drivers are the simplest modules. Typical types are the Allegro A4988 and the TI DRV8825, but there are many others.
Trinamic drivers which have been built in standalone mode (emulate StepSticks) can also be used.
The current is set via potentiometer (the Phillips head near the 'ENABLE' tag in the below image). It should be adjusted to {✪ why would I do this and how do I figure out what the correct setting is}.
Setting the Vcc✪ Voltage Jumper
This jumper is located in the center of the controller. It sets the voltage of the signals going to the drivers. It also sets the voltage going to the I2SO(xx) pins of CNC I/O Module #5.
Either 3.3V or 5V is OK. The 3.3V comes from the ESP32, so it may run cooler if you use the 5V Vcc.
NOT SURE THIS APPLIES TO USING StepStick DRIVERS:
“This will cause all step, direction and enable signals going to the stepper drivers to be 5V.”
211202_0909: from [[https://github.com/Longus/6-Pack_CNC_Controller/wiki/Using-External-Stepper-Drivers]]
Note: The 5V power is derived from the controller's main power input terminal block, so that must always be on when in use, even if the ESP32 is powered via USB.
This jumper is located at the right in the image below.
Place the jumper in the 'Default' position (further from the edge of the board with the Stepper Driver Socket contacts, as shown in the image).
The 'TMC5160' position is exclusively for the Trinamic TMC5160 driver, which requires a special voltage on a✪ pins.
This jumper is located at the left in the image below. For the Standard StepStick drivers it routes microstep level signals to the stepper driver sockets.
Place all three jumpers on the 'MS' side. This hardwires the drivers to the highest microstep level.
Microstepping ✪controls the degrees of angle which the motor turns per impulse✪. Microstepping is set by the MS pins {✪what are MS pins?}.
Microstepping on StepStick drivers is controlled by MS1, MS2 and MS3✪{what are these names refering to} pins (or similar name) and is modified by doing ✪.
- MS1 This is always high on the 6 Pack (✪ meaning?)
- MS2 This is always high on the 6 Pack
-
MS3 Can be configured in the machine definition file
- For High, add
#define USE_STEPSTICKto the machine definition file - For Low, do not include
#define USE_STEPSTICKin your machine definition file which will cause the driver's internal pull down resistors will be used
- For High, add
The $X/microsteps type settings used in ✪, are for SPI drivers only and do not affect Standard StepStick drivers. In order for the 6 Pack to support so many driver types, the ability to set microstepping on StepStick drivers is limited.