Parallel Port 3 Axis CNC Driver, Opto-Isolated, Unipolar Steppers

Controls 3 Unipolar Stepper Motors, for use with CNC Machines. Simple driver with automatic coil  shutdown, to ensure efficient operation.  Opto-isolated for protection of the P.C. Supports most parallel
port based CNC software, such as KCAM.

Supports up to 20 watts per Phase. Or 2 Amps per phase.

Full Kits with all the parts needed to recreate this Instructable can be purchased on my Website


Get a CNC Driver kit with 3 Unipolar motors, power resistors, and wire it Can be Found Here

3 Axis CNC Driver Kit, Assembly and Testing can be added.

Printed Circuit Boards are Available with Free Shipping

and Programmed PIC Microcontrollers can be purchased

or Grab the a combined PCB & programmed PIC Microcontroller


Included in the ZIP below are the files for the Copper-side, the Top-Side layer, Datasheet and the drill files.

The source code is written in Assembly and can be purchased Here

Those who purchase Kits or programmed PIC will receive the source code for Free.

*UPDATE: Added the HEX files that use the PIC16F876A instead of the 16F870.

Disclaimer: Even though this is opto-isolated there still is a danger to your parallel port if a short were to occur. Recreate this project at your own Risk.

Step 1 Parts & Supplies

Layout all the Parts:
- PIC16f870 - DIP or a PIC16F876A(must use a different firmware)
- Printed Circuit Board or strip board
- 20 mhz series oscillator, a regular one could be subed, just need to add 2x 22pf caps to gnd
- 12x logic level MOSFETs TO-220 package, i chose IRL630A or RFP12N10L or FDP8878
- 12x 1kohm 1/4w resistors - Brown - Black - Red
- 8x 10k ohm 1/4w resistors - Brown - Black - Orange
- 6x 500 ohm 1/4 resistors
- 12x 1n4004 or better
- Right-Angle Male DB-25
- 1x 7805 Voltage Regulator
- 2x 10uF Capacitor
- 1x 1uF Capacitor
- 3x LTV-827 OptoCoupler or Equiv.
- 1x 28 pin DIP socket
- 1x 8 pin DIP Socket
- 1x 16 pin DIP socket

A Full kit with all the Components, PIC Micro, and PCB Can Be Purchased

or Get a CNC Machine Kit with Driver, Motors, Power Resistors and Wire, It can Be found Here

Optional:
- 4x 4 Pin header
- 4x 4 pin housing
- 1x 2 pin header
- 1x 2 pin housing
- 18 crimps

Notes: Male and
Female DB-25 have different pin outs, and can not be substituted.

Tools:
- Soldering Iron
- Volt Meter/Continuity Tester
- Needle Nose Pliers

Check http://www.chromationsystems.com/partexplain.html Info


Additionally, a power supply will be required. To calculate power supply requirements: Motor Voltage/Motor Coil Resistance = amperage per coil. When full stepping each motor will have 2 coils/phases on at a time so minimum requirement is 6 * amp per coil. Then always use a power supply rated for %150 - %200 higher than the minimum. Switched mode PSUs will work, but will perform extremely bad compared to a capable linear power supply. Linear power supply's can be identified by a large transformer and capacitor probably along with some circuitry, they are more expensive but worth it if you want a nice machine.

Comments

[tgferreira184]

does it hold 24v?

[tgferreira184]

does it hold 24v?

[treflip]

Have you had any problems with this running all three axis at the same time? I can run x and y but if I try to run z (it's usually generated in the gcode file with all three on one line) with them it won't work.

[reco3141]

te_ekkür

[Binnukuttan]

How can i modify the driver board to 3A PER phase version?

[bikersambo]

Uprate the Mosfets And feedback/cutoff diodes to a higher wattage... Hope that helps

[alexis_4315]

why the source code are not open? it is just a common program...

[funlw65]

Hi Alexis,

It is not just a common program because have a rare feature:
- it produces $2 per unit.

[Oldrunk]

Just put together the kit now testing and I can confirm that this 3axis CNC Driver works with linux EMC2.

[Renietsnurb]

I'm planning to buy one of your drivers. Assuming that i have three 24V, 140 Ohm, 160 mA motors what resistors do i need. And beside these what else do i need to drive my motors?

[Oldrunk]

Awesome work and thank you, I've been wanting for a long time to put together a small hobby CNC for some time and never got to the controller since there are many designs out there. Just bought a kit from your site and thank you again for supporting the hobbyists! And thank you for the instructable.
Just a couple of questions. Since the source comes with a full kit , just wondering if its possible to add limit switches to your design?
Other question is I bought a full kit with the steppers and I know I need a 12v PSU but what power rating do I need? If I'm doing my math right even a 200watt PSU should more then handle it.

[ChromationSystems]

For limit switches I use the active low method, Shown Here. Just attach a wire from the proper pin on the DB-25(Parallel Port) from the bottom side of the PCB, and run it to your switch.

For PSUs, calculate its Voltage / Phase Resistance,  the kit includes 12v @ 60 ohms = 200ma, since the motors full step, there is always 2 phases on per motor, with possible of all 3 motors on at the same time = 200ma x 6 = 1.2A. Then always use at least 150% of calculated current so about 1.8A @ 12v.

[Oldrunk]

Thanks!

[buddace]

How connect six wires step motor in this board ? sorry is not clear :D

[lilschwoegl]

I still dont understand how the step motors are wired to the connectors.. any help? thanks!

[buddace]

OPs..solved ...I don't see schematic
Another question can I use 16f876 ?? hardware are same only memory source are most ;)

[ChromationSystems]

 Yes you could, they are both pin-compatible. But you would have to purchase the source and change a few include lines and recompile.

[Binnukuttan]

Thanks for your reply. I ll try

[Binnukuttan]

I cannot find LTV-827 OptoCoupler in my place, please suggest an equivalent.

[ChromationSystems]

TLP621−2 should work just fine as well. Most should work as long as it has the same pinout as the image.

[AbuTarif]

Thanks for the most detailed DIY CNC Driver Circuit on the web.

You've said that "most CNC programs (Mach3) work in a similar way and should also work fine" 
Could you please confirm that Mach3 work fine with your driver !

because I've build Tom Mcwire circuit which use the following pin map :
X: Pin2 Dir ,Pin3 Step,
Y: Pin5 Dir ,Pin6 Step
X: Pin 8 Dir ,Pin 9 Step
And it's did not work with Mach3 after setting the port pins !!

I Think there program locked to some driver's manufacturer..

[woodspinner]

the mcwire circuit does work with mach 3, when properly configured.

[ChromationSystems]

Yes, this driver supports Mach 3, though I have not tested it. 
 I have some information posted here about setting up a CNC Machine. Its for KCAM but some settings are similar. 

[shaadmahmud]

hello everyone i have done cnc driver project and ...100% works thanks to tomMcwire.... here is my work ( http://must-info.blogspot.com/2010/08/easy-to-build-cnc-mill-stepper-motor.html )

[ChromationSystems]

That driver only single steps, delivering half the torque that my driver produces.

[Kemo0o]

dude ... i built PCBand when testing it on motors without PIC also without connecting LPT The MOSFET become too hot and the motor breaks and i can't rotate it by hand ????

i tested my circuit ... no SC
this is my one

[ChromationSystems]

If you don't have a PIC in socket the MOSFETs will float high or low.

[gabrielmrc]

can you tell me how you the mechanical part. post here or send me to my mail ([e-mail]) all parts

[Kemo0o]

You can look at http://www.instructables.com/id/CNC/ it is very good guide

[buddace]

hello... I build your project..recompiled source for pic 16f876...how test it ?

[ChromationSystems]

Assuming you ported the code correctly, just plugthe PIC into the driver and hook a motor up to it then set up your CNC Software. See if it works.

[muhahaha]

is it powerful enough to drive a x2 mill?

[Kemo0o]

Hey man ... i tested it with my motors it worked well till now

now could you send the raw copper side file (eagle file or any program you have drawn it by )

thanks dude :)

[ChromationSystems]

 I have decided not to post my Eagle Files. But PM me and I will help out as best I can.

[shaadmahmud]

sir can i use pic16f873 instead of pic16f870 plllzzzzz reply sir

[ChromationSystems]

 I am pretty sure it could. You would need to buy and edit the source code though. It would be way easier to buy a 16f870.

The supplied HEX file will not work in any processor but the 16F870.

[Kemo0o]

My motors are consuming more than 2 A current  ... I tried another driver but for sorry the TIPs  become very very hot

so will your driver also becomes hot within consuming current exceed more than 2 A ?? 

[ChromationSystems]

 Its more of a wattage rating than current. 
I have been saying 20-25 watts is about the max. If your motors are 24 volt @ 1amp then its fine or 12 volts @ 2 amps is the same wattage, 24 watts.

[dablakh0l]

I just noticed that R20-R25 in the layout do not match their placement in the schematic. Is the schematic needing to be updated to match the PCB layout?

Thanks.

[ChromationSystems]

I am aware of that, I wanted the resistors in numerical order on the PCB. It would have been to much work to go back and re-name all the resistors to coordinate with the order on the PCB's silkscreen layer. 

Just know all resistors going to the MOSFETs are 1kohm, all the rest are 10kohm, excluding the resistors nearest to the DB-25 connector. or place as seen in the silkscreen layer.

Sorry if it has caused problems