Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) I'm currently in the process of building my first reprap machine and was looking for a nice single sided, through-the-hole stepper driver board. Since i couldn't find any i decided to re-layout the 1.2 driver to be single sided. I have not done this before so i would like someone to take a look at it to check if it's ok the way i did it. Any advice, critics, ideas, ... appreciated. [attachment 4168 Stepper1.2SingleSidedv0.1.pdf] Note: - Red outline is edge of board (9x7 cm) - Max and Min headers have a different pinout (5v center pin) / no RJ-45 connectors thx in advance https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80062#msg-80062 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:46:00 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108910#msg-108910 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108910#msg-108910 Traumflug Controllers Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:26:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108803#msg-108803 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108803#msg-108803
SANY3713.JPG
From Blogger Pictures


I think I uploaded a PDF file that made this PCB in the Gen7 forum a while back... it has the plug in Screw terminal connectors as used on most CNC controlers and on the Ultimaker PCBs]]> BodgeIt Controllers Sun, 04 Dec 2011 11:05:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108449#msg-108449 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108449#msg-108449 Traumflug Controllers Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:55:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108434#msg-108434 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,108434#msg-108434 ToothOgre Controllers Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:46:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80842#msg-80842 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80842#msg-80842 bryanandaimee Controllers Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:44:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80764#msg-80764 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80764#msg-80764 Data sheet link

The single sided board I included shows they useed 4 resistors in parallel.

There is a popular CNC board design where there is an attempt to compensate for the affect of using wirewound resistors here. I would still avoid using this design.]]> BodgeIt Controllers Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:46:05 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80632#msg-80632 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80632#msg-80632
Quote

Is there anything else about it then, or any reason for that?

I don't know, perhaps it's a common myth, or perhaps there is a valid reason. You can get special low inductance wire would resistors that reverse the turns half way I believe, but for these powers you can get metal film or carbon comp. Since the sense lines include an RC filter it might not make that much difference, but the data sheet recommends not using wire wound, so why take the risk?]]> nophead Controllers Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:35:34 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80621#msg-80621 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80621#msg-80621 NoobMan Controllers Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:43:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80617#msg-80617 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80617#msg-80617
I will remember direction doesnt matter and inductance is only halved by paralleling.

However, as i do scavenge what i can for parts, i have met many boards that have the wirewound resistors like that. Picturing a high rf amp that i ripped for its huge radiators to use in a psu. That board has 4 pairs of resistors just like that on one side, and 4 on the other side, all facing each other. Also I have met other pairs also like that on other pieces. I tend to think its not a coincidence they are all facing each other. Is there anything else about it then, or any reason for that?]]> NoobMan Controllers Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:52:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80605#msg-80605 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80605#msg-80605
Quote

presumably this reverses the coils

I don't think so! A clockwise spiral is still clockwise which ever end you look from. Even if they were counter wound they would need to be on the same axis to cancel out.]]> nophead Controllers Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:16:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80588#msg-80588 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80588#msg-80588
- Edited that wiki page with that tip.]]> NoobMan Controllers Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:40:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80491#msg-80491 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80491#msg-80491
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From Blogger Pictures
]]> BodgeIt Controllers Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:08:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80311#msg-80311 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80311#msg-80311 i think i'll stick to the last layout although i might add a second solder point to r1 and r2 since i might need to wire 2 resistors in parallel to get 0.5 ohm 2 watt as mentioned here Stepper Motor Driver 1.2 Wiki]]> Khan Controllers Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:17:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80239#msg-80239 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80239#msg-80239 BodgeIt Controllers Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:44:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80226#msg-80226 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80226#msg-80226 nophead Controllers Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:48:40 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80218#msg-80218 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80218#msg-80218
I think it's as close as it'll ever get (unless i solder it at the other side of the board)
although the wires are kind of bugging me

[attachment 4178 Stepper1.2SingleSidedv.3.pdf]

any more suggestions appreciated]]> Khan Controllers Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:59:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80185#msg-80185 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80185#msg-80185 nophead Controllers Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:04:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80178#msg-80178 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80178#msg-80178
Probably better to place R2 and R1 where R4 and R3 are and make the star point where the bottom of your wire link is, with a second link for R2's ground. C1 should be as close as possible to that point. C2 can be further away, near the connector. The ground for the left hand part of the circuit should also meet at the star point rather than the power connector. The diodes are OK going direct like they do.

If possible C4 and C3 should also ground at the star point. I would move them closer to R1 and R2.

You should also add decoupling on the 5V rail close to the VCC pin of the L297.

What you should bear in mind is that tracks have resistance and inductance so you want to keep the tracks between things that need to be the same voltage as short as possible. It doesn't matter how long the track from the power connector is because it is just an extension of the wire but the tracks between the ground of R1, R2, C3, C4 and the L297 should be as short as possible and meet at one point.]]> nophead Controllers Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:37:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80147#msg-80147 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80147#msg-80147 -----------------------------------------------------
> The ground takes a very indirect route to the chip
> with some thin tracks and the HF decoupling should
> be close to the chip rather than the power
> connector. You might get some instability.

Well that was one of my concerns. ground is at a very bad place to be connected with a thicker trace but i will try ... maybe i'll somehow manage to get it to there.


NoobMan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Also i think you plan to use 5V from the atx, which is smps and i think it probably has more noise in it than the usual 7805 voltage regulator.

Yes, i thought about that one too. I wanted to feed the board from my arduino board with 5 volts but since it's been this way in the original scematics i thougt it would be ok. well maybe i'll redo it.

> Try TB6560

yeah seen it. sadly it's unavailable to me. tried to find it but found no source with a decent price. same goes to the other chips from toshiba.

edit:
Done with the changes

[attachment 4174 Stepper1.2SingleSidedv.2.pdf]

- ground line straightened
- moved the (12V line) capacitors a little closer to the l298 (don't want to block the space for the heat sink)
- 5v now coming from the 2x3 header (powered by the arduino) next to the power connector

the sad thing:
- i had to build in a wire to feed the ground connection to the l298 (i hope this will be better than the other approach with the signal routed through pin 7 and 9

any more input appreciated]]> Khan Controllers Sun, 10 Apr 2011 05:01:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80125#msg-80125 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80125#msg-80125
Single sided is not optimal. At toner transfer or photo, double sided is same work with more benefit, dunno about milling boards tbh. If you plan to make the board yourself, why not making double sided, for example with back plane being ground. The other pins will get isolated a little by the polygon isolation, but this would free up the gnd routes on the top and maybe make a more compact layout. Not sure for this chip if this should be a clean star gnd though or w/e else, datasheet or some app notes should have some mentions regarding gnd.

Edit:
Try TB6560, torugh hole, microstep, newer stuff, lower external components count. Its overkill in terms of current, but at first glance it looks like a better choice (at least to me). Lots of schematics and boards on the net, single sided most of them. One attached as example, i would like to give credit to whomever made it just tbh i had it on my pc and dont remember from where. Havent tried it myself so cant say more. Good Luck!]]> NoobMan Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:04:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80114#msg-80114 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80114#msg-80114 Pololu 1201 is a A4983 Stepper Motor Driver Carrier is through hole and is usually used with a socket so it's easy to replace. In the US, they are $13 each so it's in to your price range. It's easy to interface to the MB since you're just basically connecting them to the right output of the microcontroller. There are even designs in this forum that includes them with the ATMega in one board. I still think this is the better route.

I don't think you need to worry about killing yourself since you're only working with 12 V.]]> brnrd Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:57:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80107#msg-80107 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80107#msg-80107
The ground takes a very indirect route to the chip with some thin tracks and the HF decoupling should be close to the chip rather than the power connector. You might get some instability.]]> nophead Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:23:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80093#msg-80093 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80093#msg-80093
up until then for as long as half stepping won't have a huge impact on printed part quality it'll do.

but to get back on topic. it's not about halfstepping or microstepping ... it's all about whether or not the layout i did is correct and/or safe for use (meaning spacing and such). since it's the first time i layout a circuit-board with more than about 100mA running through, i'm a bit nervous and don't want to kill myself trying or fry the parts on the board for that matter.

so i appreciate your input on loudness and such but i'm really interested in input regarding improvments to the layout]]> Khan Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:14:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80076#msg-80076 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80076#msg-80076 nophead Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:26:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80071#msg-80071 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80071#msg-80071 i read it but the problem is the Allegro chip on the Pololu used.
first it's smd which i'm not confident enough to solder myself and second it's very hard to get here (and expensive on top of that).
the part for the 1.2 board cost about 6-8€ total. since i'm on a tight budget and half-stepping is all i need why spend more money on it then needed ? don't get me wrong if i'd have the money i'd spend it no questions asked.]]> Khan Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:16:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80066#msg-80066 Re: Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80066#msg-80066 www.thingiverse.com]. Here's one that's single-sided:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4526]]> brnrd Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 09:18:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80062#msg-80062 Stepper Driver 1.2 (Single Sided) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,80062,80062#msg-80062
[attachment 4168 Stepper1.2SingleSidedv0.1.pdf]

Note:
- Red outline is edge of board (9x7 cm)
- Max and Min headers have a different pinout (5v center pin) / no RJ-45 connectors

thx in advance]]> Khan Controllers Sat, 09 Apr 2011 07:45:51 -0400