PICStep Project Files

Submitted by alan on Fri, 14/01/2011 - 14:54
All donations are cheerfully accepted!

Please bare with me I'm currently updating the site

You can access all the firmware and docs from the github project for PICStep here:
https://github.com/alangarf/picstep

Download the latest PICStep Sources
No ICSP (In-circuit programming) socket : With ICSP (In-circuit programming) socket : PC Interface board (ONLY WORKS with < V3.1 PICStep drivers!!) :
  • Opto Output Interface Schematic V2.01 - JPEG
  • Opto Output Interface Overlay V2.01 - JPEG
  • Opto Output Interface Board V2.01 - EPS | PDF | Gerber/RS-274X
  • Opto Input Interface Schematic V2.01 - JPEG
  • Opto Input Interface Overlay V2.01 - JPEG
  • Opto Input Interface Board V2.01 - EPS | PDF | Gerber/RS-274X
  • Parts List - Text

PICStep V3.0, PICStep gets a firmware update!

Submitted by alan on Fri, 14/01/2011 - 23:19

Wow it's been a long time since I've touched this code!

I've changed a few things around to better suit the requests I've been seeing from people from time to time. The new firmware is much more controllable than ever before, plus I've added a bunch of pre-compiled versions that should hopefully satisfy everyone.

The new features of this firmware:

  1. The time-out can now be disabled via MODE2 switch.
  2. Since MODE2 switch has been re-purposed you can now only switch between two preselected micro-stepping modes per firmware
  3. The time-out current reduction now can reduce the motor current by 50% or turn it completely off.
  4. All options are configurable so that you can compile a custom version with the options you require
  5. Pre-compiled versions for both 16F628 and 16F628a with various options turned on and off

PICStep also now has a GitHub project if you wish to contribute or simply have a look around the code. You can access it here:- https://github.com/alangarf/picstep

AttachmentSize
PICStep-628_4-2_time-off.hex1.6 KB
PICStep-628_4-2_time-reduce.hex1.63 KB
PICStep-628_8-4_time-off.hex1.6 KB
PICStep-628_8-4_time-reduce.hex1.63 KB
PICStep-628_16-8_time-off.hex1.6 KB
PICStep-628_16-8_time-reduce.hex1.63 KB
PICStep-628a_4-2_time-off.hex1.6 KB
PICStep-628a_4-2_time-reduce.hex1.63 KB
PICStep-628a_8-4_time-off.hex1.6 KB
PICStep-628a_8-4_time-reduce.hex1.63 KB
PICStep-628a_16-8_time-off.hex1.6 KB
PICStep-628a_16-8_time-reduce.hex1.63 KB

PICStep Drives a Widgitmaster Router

Submitted by alan on Fri, 11/04/2008 - 09:35


Finally after many years I have helped put together a decent CNC machine. My mate Tyson recently purchased a Widgitmaster Midi router, and I supplied the PICSteps and some motors. After much fiddling about we have a really decent router (albeit a little smaller than we'd like, but that'll be fixed on the next machine :)

Tyson is using Mach3 and SheetCAM to drive the beast. We've custom built a drive system with a 36VDC toroidal transformer, four huge smoothing caps, two solid state 240V AC relays, a switch-mode 5V supply, a parallel breakout and a blower fan. Plus we've added two remote emergency stop boxes and various other little niceties. Tyson being the cabling and socket guru has used Radox cabling through out, with Bootlace Ferrules, Speakon/Powercon connectors and sockets for the stepper drives and all power connections. It'll all be mounted in a custom built steel box which will be mounted under the bench. It's looking pretty sweet!

PICStep Firmware V2.0 Released

Submitted by alan on Mon, 30/10/2006 - 00:00

Release Firmware V2.0 today.

I've made two versions, one with a motor current timer and the other without. Also the LMD18245 bug has been worked-around and now the motor should be silky smooth in both directions. The bug was a pesky thing to figure out, but now the curves for both directions are correct and the direction switch is fixed to deal with a silicon bug in the LMD18245.

The previous hi-torque firmware has been removed as the resultant curves didn't yield any improvement in the motor. The hi-torque curve seemed to produce a more notchy and resonant movement than the current curves do.

Anyway enjoy!

Hi-Torque PICStep Firmware V1.1 Released

Submitted by alan on Thu, 18/08/2005 - 23:00

Finally sat down and figure out the new torque curve adjustments. Be interested to see what torque and performance people get with this firmware. Thanks to Henrik (mk2lehe @ http://www.cnczone.com/) for the information.

It took a little longer to figure out than I originally though, namely because it was 11pm and my brain wasn't working fully.

Anyway let me know how it all goes.

Terry's Wind Turbine built with CNC and PICStep

Submitted by alan on Thu, 23/06/2005 - 00:00

Terry has been busy building his own wind turbine to power lighting in his garage at home. He's constructed the blades and most of the mechanical components using his home-made router driven by three PICStep drivers. You can check out his website at http://www.terry-is.f2s.com/ and his wind turbine website at http://www.build-a-windturbine.com/

You can also see Terry's router in action milling out one of his blades in this rather cool video.

PICStep Version 4 released

Submitted by alan on Wed, 08/06/2005 - 23:00
Well after a few pokes from people, and the fact that it made good sense I've decided to change the way the interface on the PICStep was laid out. It's now fully compatible with PMinMO.com parallel port interfaces (opto and non-opto) which give you a better choice for interfacing to your PC. It's also allows you to mix and match the drivers with any of the drivers available that have compatible interfaces. Version 4 is otherwise identical to V3.1 (with only a small exception of the optional crystal capacitors that I added for people who don't use resonators), the only difference is the 10 pin interface header and the addition of the Mode jumpers on the driver rather than the break-out board. You CANNOT I repeat CANNOT use this version with ANY of my interface boards as they aren't pin compatible and you are likely to explode expensive components of you try! The interfaces you can use are :- Enjoy! (Oh and any contributions are graciously accepted!)

Opto Isolated input board released

Submitted by alan on Tue, 19/04/2005 - 00:00

Finished the opto-isolated input daughter board for the opto output board. Needs a 5V supply from the output board, and a separate regulated 5V supply for the PC side.

I'll write more about how/where to get this later.

Opto Isolated output board bug fix

Submitted by alan on Mon, 18/04/2005 - 00:00

Fixed a missing part that I forgot to put on the opto output board. Should be fully functional now.

PICStep V3.1 and Opto Isolated output board!

Submitted by alan on Mon, 11/04/2005 - 00:00

Fixed the issues with the Version 3.1 PICStep design. Now have incorporated the status LED's onto the opto-isolated breakout board instead.

New breakout board is dual layer (sorry!) for ease of design. I plan to get some professionally made along with a few of the V3.1 PICStep's

To see the changes look at the top of this page!

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