Hey! This thing is still a Work in Progress.
Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!
Pololu Stepper w/Vreg Driver
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Published on March 13, 2011
Description
This is a derivative of Tinkering's thingiverse.com/thing:4526 with the endstop interface and the LED's removed (for now) using the robotshop.com/pololu-8v-35v-2a-single-bipolar-stepper-motor-driver-w-regulators.html . This board is designed to be easy to etch at home using the laser printer method so it can be made at home. I decided to make this guy because i fried one of my motor controllers by accident and the replacements have a 3 week lead time. Everything needed to make this can be picked up from radio shack in exception to some of the connectors.
If you want micro-stepping (1/16), and want to learn how to make your own PCB, this thing is for you.
* Will be finishing write up soon!
If you want micro-stepping (1/16), and want to learn how to make your own PCB, this thing is for you.
* Will be finishing write up soon!
Instructions
Etching:
0. Clean your PCB using steel wool and becareful not to leave finger prints, set up 2 bins large enough for the PCB and fill one with water. Also, begin heating the iron (max setting).
1. Print the pdf on glossy paper using a laser printer. Many ,tutorials are available online.
2. Iron the glossy paper onto the pcb. This part is a bit tricky, you don't want to iron it too long or it will be difficult to remove the paper. Again watch a few videos in youtube before beginning.
3. Put the pcb with paper in the water bin. Let it soak for a few minutes and begin rubbing the outer layers of the glossy paper. Once you can see the circuitry it is enough, but the bath will take longer and possibly 2 baths required with a clean in between.
4. Place PCB in the empty bin, and pour your etching solution in there so it covers the board. The time in the bath may vary from 2m-50m+ (alot) depending on how clean your board is, the potency of your etching solution, and the temperature of the solution.
5. Clean off your board when it is finished. All of the exposed copper should have disappeared.
5. Drill your holes (I used carbide tips i bought from Harbor Freight)
6. Clean off the laser laser toner using acetone and your steel wool.
7. Solder all your components. (resistor direction does not matter, capacitor direction does! **The middle capacitor is in the opposite direction as the other two caps!.)
8. I used a multi-meter checking resistance and a magnifying glass to see if there are any short circuits.
9. Plug in and test!
0. Clean your PCB using steel wool and becareful not to leave finger prints, set up 2 bins large enough for the PCB and fill one with water. Also, begin heating the iron (max setting).
1. Print the pdf on glossy paper using a laser printer. Many ,tutorials are available online.
2. Iron the glossy paper onto the pcb. This part is a bit tricky, you don't want to iron it too long or it will be difficult to remove the paper. Again watch a few videos in youtube before beginning.
3. Put the pcb with paper in the water bin. Let it soak for a few minutes and begin rubbing the outer layers of the glossy paper. Once you can see the circuitry it is enough, but the bath will take longer and possibly 2 baths required with a clean in between.
4. Place PCB in the empty bin, and pour your etching solution in there so it covers the board. The time in the bath may vary from 2m-50m+ (alot) depending on how clean your board is, the potency of your etching solution, and the temperature of the solution.
5. Clean off your board when it is finished. All of the exposed copper should have disappeared.
5. Drill your holes (I used carbide tips i bought from Harbor Freight)
6. Clean off the laser laser toner using acetone and your steel wool.
7. Solder all your components. (resistor direction does not matter, capacitor direction does! **The middle capacitor is in the opposite direction as the other two caps!.)
8. I used a multi-meter checking resistance and a magnifying glass to see if there are any short circuits.
9. Plug in and test!
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Oh wow! Sorry I missed your comment on my thing. This is very cool! I'm glad you shared it!
I did etch the board I made, but it's tricky getting it aligned just so. Some day I'll have to make a blog post on how I do it.