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Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!
DC Motor Driver v1.1
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Published on April 6, 2011
This thing was Featured on April 7, 2011
Description
Version 1.1 of the NBitWonder DC Motor Driver. This project is a simple dual-channel DC motor for robotics and other hobbyist projects. The project uses hand-solderable parts (no under-chip pads), and fits completely on a single-sided PCB, making it easy to print or fabricate using homebrew PCB methods. The board is designed to be cheap, with parts costing ~$10 in quantity 1 (without volume discounts).
The project was originally designed as drive electronics to be used in conjunction with Marc Raiser's Tank project: thingiverse.com/thing:6554 (Tank v2 thingiverse.com/thing:8080 is explicitly modified for use with this board). Design files are posted here, but for the most up-to-date documentation and technical data, refer to the project's github repository, which can be found here: github.com/NBitWonder/DCMotorController
The project is the result of hard work by members of the NBitWonder community. For more about us, and some of our other projects, check us out here: nbitwonder.com
The project was originally designed as drive electronics to be used in conjunction with Marc Raiser's Tank project: thingiverse.com/thing:6554 (Tank v2 thingiverse.com/thing:8080 is explicitly modified for use with this board). Design files are posted here, but for the most up-to-date documentation and technical data, refer to the project's github repository, which can be found here: github.com/NBitWonder/DCMotorController
The project is the result of hard work by members of the NBitWonder community. For more about us, and some of our other projects, check us out here: nbitwonder.com
Instructions
1) Download the gerber files (contained within the .zip file).
2) Submit the files to your favorite PCB service for fabrication, or use a homebrew fabrication method to make the boards yourself. For an example of a homebrew PCB method, see here: instructables.com/id/Cheap-and-Easy-Toner-Transfer-for-PCB-Making/
3) Once you've constructed your board, populate the board with parts (see the parts list for details).
IMPORTANT NOTE #!: The microcontroller comes in an SSOP package. Additionally, both H-bridges and the DC/DC converter ICs come in SOIC packages. These parts (ESPECIALLY the microcontroller) are extremely difficult to solder on a homebrew board (because you don't have a soldermask). Therefore, it is HIGHLY recommended that you get a flux pen and flux the pads before trying to solder them. Thin tips and solder are also extremely helpful.
IMPORTANT NOTE #2: A few resistors, specifically R13 and R15, are dummy resistors used to connect ground planes together, and are meant to be shorted. Use a jumper wire if you did homebrew PCB fabrication and don't have a solder mask.
4) Test the board (make sure there aren't any electrical shorts, then try to power it on) and verify that nothing smokes or lights on fire.
5) Download and flash the microcontroller firmware onto the microcontroller. The board uses a PIC microcontroller, so use of MPLAB and Microchip programmers (such as the PICKit 2 or 3) is recommended.
2) Submit the files to your favorite PCB service for fabrication, or use a homebrew fabrication method to make the boards yourself. For an example of a homebrew PCB method, see here: instructables.com/id/Cheap-and-Easy-Toner-Transfer-for-PCB-Making/
3) Once you've constructed your board, populate the board with parts (see the parts list for details).
IMPORTANT NOTE #!: The microcontroller comes in an SSOP package. Additionally, both H-bridges and the DC/DC converter ICs come in SOIC packages. These parts (ESPECIALLY the microcontroller) are extremely difficult to solder on a homebrew board (because you don't have a soldermask). Therefore, it is HIGHLY recommended that you get a flux pen and flux the pads before trying to solder them. Thin tips and solder are also extremely helpful.
IMPORTANT NOTE #2: A few resistors, specifically R13 and R15, are dummy resistors used to connect ground planes together, and are meant to be shorted. Use a jumper wire if you did homebrew PCB fabrication and don't have a solder mask.
4) Test the board (make sure there aren't any electrical shorts, then try to power it on) and verify that nothing smokes or lights on fire.
5) Download and flash the microcontroller firmware onto the microcontroller. The board uses a PIC microcontroller, so use of MPLAB and Microchip programmers (such as the PICKit 2 or 3) is recommended.
License
DC Motor Driver v1.1 by NBitWonder is licensed under the Attribution - Share Alike - Creative Commons license.
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