• State Resolved
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 9 replies
  • Subscribers 32 subscribers
  • Views 1184 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Support feedback
Options
Options
Related

This thread has been locked.

If you have a related question, please click the "Ask a related question" button in the top right corner. The newly created question will be automatically linked to this question.

DRV8412 C2 Kit - Help regarding <program>.c code

AMAN GOEL1
Prodigy 135 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DRV8412, CONTROLSUITE, DRV8824, DRV8825, DRV8818, DRV8711, DRV8301

Hi,

I aim to make a high precision 3D positioning system using three 4-wire stepper motors. I am using DRV8412 C2 kit for the system. I have the following questions in this regard -

1. Is it possible to control three 4-wire stepper motors using less than three EVMs ?

2. The overall working of DRV8412 C2 kit is not clear after reading the <program>.c code given with the controlSUITE. Is there any further documentation regarding <program>.c code ? Any other helpful document that could explain interfacing with DRV8412 to drive stepper motor and control algorithms related to it.

3. How can we know variables associated with GUI (default GUI from Crosshairs Embedded) so as to incorporate and make own GUI using GUI Composer that incorporates interfacing with three stepper motors together ? 

P.S. - I am relatively new to interfacing with motors. 

Thanks in advance

Regards

Aman Goel

  • 0
    TI__Guru** 114905 points

    Hi Aman,

    1) While possible, it is probably not practical. You would need external circuitry to enable and disable current paths to the steppers. This would add cost, complexity, and power losses. In addition, you can only control one stepper at a time so there is no holding torque in the other stepper motors.

    2 and 3) I will contact our experts, but there is also information regarding these kits in the C2000 microcontrollers forum. You can post code questions there.

    What are your voltage and current requirements? There are other devices that are simpler to use. The DRV8818, DRV8824, and DRV8825 all have a simple interface.

  • 0
    TI__Guru** 119600 points

    2. only documentation is in controlSUITE

    C:\ti\controlSUITE\development_kits\DRV8412-C2-KIT_v131\Stepper\~Docs

    3.  al GUI variables are prefaced with Gui_ in the GUI_project source

    C:\ti\controlSUITE\development_kits\DRV8412-C2-KIT_v131\GUI_project

     

  • 0 in reply to Rick Duncan
    Prodigy 135 points

    Hi Rick,

    Thanks for the quick response. My voltage and current requirements are as follows:

    Motor 1 - 24 V, 3.5 A 

    Motor 2 - 24 V, 5.0 A 

    Motor 3 - 24 V, 5.0 A 

    I think it would not be possible for the mentioned EVMs to provide this much current. For 2) and 3), I would surely follow your suggestion and revert back in case I get stuck somewhere.

    Regards

    Aman 

  • 0 in reply to AMAN GOEL1
    TI__Guru** 114905 points

    Hi Aman,

    Your are correct. The devices mentioned will not provide the desired current.

    The DRV8711 is available as another alternative if you want to use external FETs. The interface is STEP/DIR which allows a simple micro to control the motor.

  • 0 in reply to Rick Duncan
    Prodigy 135 points

    Hi,

    Thanks Rick and Chris for your valuable answers. 

    @Chris - I strongly think most of the GUI variables are without GUI_ in GUI_project source. Example- Stepper motor index mode parameters.

    If its possible and available, can you share a basic DRV8412 GUI compatible with GUI Composer. Its quite difficult to begin with scratch without complete information of present GUI variables.

    Also, can you please suggest me how to run 3 independent DRV8412 EVMs using one single GUI ?

    Regards

    Aman 

  • 0 in reply to AMAN GOEL1
    TI__Guru** 119600 points

    Aman,

    There is not a GUI Composer based GUI for this kit. The DRV8412-C2-KIT was release many years ago, I want to say 2010. GUI Composer didn't even exist at the time.  Currently the only motor kit GUIs that use GUI Composer is for our InstaSPIN-FOC & -MOTION solutions....and I think some of our Hercules ARM Cortex R4 DRV8301 kits.

    AMAN GOEL1 said:

    Also, can you please suggest me how to run 3 independent DRV8412 EVMs using one single GUI ?

    The GUI knows nothing about the # of inverters you are controling.  It is simpling instrumenting variables on the target over a JTAG line. If you have software variables that happen to control the three inverters then a GUI can let the user instrument their values.

     

  • 0 in reply to ChrisClearman
    Prodigy 135 points

    Thanks everyone.

  • 0 in reply to Rick Duncan
    Intellectual 420 points

    Hi,

    I am using DRV8818 to control 4 wire stepper motor. In controlSUITE documentation is available only for DRV8412. Can you tell me where I can get development help for DRV8818. 

  • 0 in reply to Kshitij Gupta
    TI__Mastermind 26065 points

    Hi Kshitij

    DRV8818 is fully intergrated with on-chip index and MOSFETs. I think the datasheet and its EVM resource on www.ti.com are good enough for you to do any development. The motor can be controlled by DRV8818 with STEP/DIR interface which is very common use in stepper driver.

    Please let us know if you have any specific questions.

    Best regards,