BTT TMC2208 V3.0 Stepper Motor Driver - UltraQuiet, UART Enabled

With 3D Printing tech’ constantly advancing with each new 3D Printer that comes out, it’s no surprise that Silent Stepper Drivers, while being quite the feature when originally introduced, have become somewhat of a standard for a lot of different models on the market. This is why we’re always excited when we can bring these kinds of stepper drivers to SA, so that 3D Makers who already have a 3D Printer but don’t yet enjoy the near-silent operations of silent stepper drivers can upgrade their machines and step into the new world of near-silent 3D Printing.

These TMC2208 Stepper Motor Drivers are Trinamic Drivers that utilise the SilentStepStick breakout board, and are built to attach directly onto a 3D Printer Controller Board, although these particular V3.0 models have been designed by BigTreeTech to be UART-ready by default. This is a small but quite significant change, as it allows Makers who prefer UART control to take advantage of the great features of TMC2208 drivers, but without having to modify the standard Step/Dir version themselves. This makes them much easier and more enticing, offering more value for money for some Makers, while those who prefer the Step/Dir control can still simply purchase the TMC2208 V2.0 Stepper Drivers and utilise those without hassle.

So, just to refresh your memory a bit, let’s take a quick overview of the key features that make the TMC2208 V3.0 stepper drivers awesome, and why they’re often considered one of the best upgrades you can make in terms of user-satisfaction in 3D Printing.

Please Note: The minimum order quantity for these drivers is Four (4) due to the default UART mode that they are designed to utilise, so please bear this in mind when ordering.

The Key Features of TMC2208 V3.0 Stepper Motors Drivers:

When looking at the vast array of different stepper motor drivers available to Makers, it’s easy to get confused at which would actually cater to your application best. Fortunately though, we’ve taken the time to single out the key features that make each of our stepper drivers so great, so that you can more easily identify which drivers you’re eager to use, and which can offer the benefits that matter most to you. So, with that being said, let’s take a closer look at precisely what makes these TMC2208 stepper drivers so damn amazing:

• UART Enabled by Default: While many of the stepper motor drivers from the past few years have been quite complex to set up, due to the fact that they weren’t originally designed for 3D Printing, one of the more recent improvements to the industry is in the way we interface with stepper drivers. This is why we’re so eager about the UART Interfacing that these TMC2208 drivers offer, which have been enabled by default on these V3.0 drivers. UART Interfacing allows for quick and easy configuration without having to rewire pins, with the actual software being able to define motor current, Microsteps, Chopper Modes and more – all while sitting at your computer or laptop. Additionally, as if the above wasn’t enough, UART Interfacing also greatly reduces current consumption when the motors are in standby mode, helping to extend the lifespan of the motors and save electricity at the same time.
   
• StealthChop2: If you already know what the original StealthChop is, and the awesome benefits that it offers, then you will hopefully be just as excited as we are with the new StealthChop2, which is similar to original, but integrates a current pre-regulator to avoid overcompensation of step prediction, while allowing for more torque during acceleration phases. And while this may sound complicated at first, what it translates to is fewer missed steps or overshot steps, as well as a higher level of power even when motors are caught in an odd rotor position. This means more reliability and more predictability for your motors, and of course the awesome near-silent operations that both StealthChop and SpreadCycle are well-known for.
   
• StallGuard2: StallGuard is a clever Trinamic-patented tech’ that is able to ascertain real-time sensorless feedback from the motors, which is typically caused by EMF and excess current. This allows you to technically utilise the motors as sensors, eliminating the need for end switches, as StallGuard2 can simply detect when the motors stall after reaching the end of their travel path. This is also more precise than simple end switches, as instead of a Yes/No kind of feedback, they get variable feedback from the motors depending on the speed, torque and other forces involved in the process. However, it must be noted that StallGuard2 can’t be used in conjunction with StealthChop (only StallGuard4 is capable of this), but it CAN be used on conjunction with SpreadCycle, which performs quite similarly to StealthChop, but doesn’t have quite offer the same level of smoothness throughout the entire torque range.

Additional Resources:

• If you’re looking for more basic information, check out this Trinamic SilentStepStick Drivers Page, where the most popular driver boards are compared against each other, listing some of the cool features that each offers.
  
  
• If you’re struggling to figure out how to install or operate these drivers, or are simply eager to find out more about the ever-awesome Trinamic brand, be sure to check out the Trinamic YouTube Channel, where they feature instructional, informational and also fun videos regarding all of the projects they’re involved in.
  
  
• If you’re at all confused about the complex art of UART Interfacing, we’ve found this UART Serial Driver Control Instructable to be a great help in figuring out the fine details. Just be aware, however, that the tutorial is a bit old, so it’s a good idea to cross-reference information just to be safe.
  
  
• Finally, although the models features on this site aren’t exactly the same as what we have in stock, this FYSETC Stepper Drivers Wiki Page offers a wealth of great information and insight into these TMC2208 stepper drivers, as well as many other popular drivers and breakout boards.

As one of the rising stars in the world of 3D Printer Component Research and Development, BigTreeTech have certainly hit the ground running, entering the market in 2015 and spending their early stages primarily learning, researching, testing and developing, before producing some truly impressive results. From simple but effective upgrades to standard parts, all the way through to completely custom parts that no other brand offered at the time, BigTreeTech now have an incredibly diverse range, with almost no area of 3D Printing being left out.

Some of BigTreeTech’s most notable additions to the world of 3D Printing include the SKR Motherboard Range for numerous different 3D Printer models, the awesome TFT Touch Display Range with fancy features like dual-mode operation, as well as their very impressive Stepper Driver Range that cater to all tastes and preferences under the sun. And of course, to top it all off, BigTreeTech also have a sister company named BIQU, and we must admit that they have been producing some pretty impressive (and low price) 3D Printers, with the BIQU B1 possibly becoming a new rival to the Ender 3.

Of course, it’s easy to see that BigTreeTech are modern masters of 3D Printing R&D, and while we do still have a lot of different parts that we want to test out from them, so far we’ve been extremely happy with what they’re capable of producing – all while fitting into same kind of hobbyist budget that they used to operate on as Makers and Tinkerers themselves.