Hello,
I want to upgrade from Melzi Ardentissimo to Smoothieboard. However, on my Prusa i3 printer, I have two motors powering the Z axis, and these motors are powered from a single output on the Melzi. Can Smoothieboard handle two motors like that? Or do I need to get more expensive 5X version?
PS: I bought this printer as a kit on Aliexpress two years ago, so therefore I have no access to firmware configuration.
Imported from wikidot
My DIY printer with 2 motors on the Z axis is using the 5X Smoothie. I have two extruders. So I bought a $20 stepper driver that had enough amperage capacity to run both of my motors. I set the amperage at 2 times 1.68 amps ( my motor max amps) and hooked it up to the pins for the No 3 onboard stepper. Works great.
Thanks for fast answer :).
Could you tell me, how did you do it in more detail? I understand, that I need to buy something like this[1]. However, how I’m supposed to wire it? To which pins should I solder wires? And also the table printed on top of the stepper driver PCB scares me. I know very little about stepper motors, so I’m sorry for noob question.
PS: replace this “:” to this “.” to make the link working. Forum software doesn’t allow me to post links…
[1] - ebay:com/itm/CNC-Router-Single-1-Axis-Controller-Stepper-Motor-Drivers-TB6560-3A-driver-board-/251982024768?hash=item3aab4c9040:g:nEAAAOSw3xJVbtZQ
This is what I used…
MYSWEETY TB6600 4A 9-42V Stepper Motor Driver CNC Controller, Stepper Motor Driver Nema tb6600 Single Axes Hybrid Stepper Motor For CNC
For instructions try the documentation for external drivers.
You want to read :
Do you use the common anode or common cathode? I have the same driver and can’t get it running. When I try to move Z-axis you can hear the stepper tries to move but nothing happens