TMC2208 V2.0 Stepper Motor Driver - UltraQuiet, UART Capable

When it comes to driving stepper motors, there are few tools that can perform as well as Stepper Motor Drivers, which are of course designed specifically to interface with stepper motors and control the fine motion via electrical pulses, signals and power driven to the motor. However, amidst the slew of Stepper Motor Drivers on the market, one brand stands above the rest, due to the very impressive technologies that have been integrated into the very intelligently designed chips, and this brand is called Trinamic.

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, allowing full operation of stepper motors from a central “brain”. But that’s not all these stepper drivers do, and the reason why they are so popular even when compared to the wild number of different options available to Makers is because these are specially made to be as silent as possible, while still offering exceptionally precise stepping accuracy, lower current consumption through all phases from standstill to full-speed, and even sensorless positional feedback by utilising the EMF from the motor as a rudimentary sensor.

So now that you’ve got a general idea of just how awesome these TMC2208 V2.0 stepper drivers are, let's take a look at what we consider to be the top three traits that really make these drivers a “Step” above the rest for 3D Printing.

The Key Features of TMC2208 V2.0 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 Interfacing: 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, as it allows for far more control than the old Step/Dir method, allowing users to control all of the control lines (EN / DIAG / INDEX / MS1 / MS2 / Analog Current / VRef) via a single line of code. Additionally, UART Interfacing also 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.
  

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 model's 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.