TMC 2130 Stepper Drivers

Wire Via SPI for Stealth Mode

• Solder certain bridges on the driver - not easy
• Change Marlin code in configuration_adv.h
• Need to change pins_RAMPS.h file to tell which pins are being used
• Debug allows M122 in serial monitor for status
• Define sensorless_homing in config_adv !!! This is useful.
• Disable endstops_pullup for sensorless homing
• M914 in sensorless homing determines sensitivity of sensorless homing
• Need to upgrade to Marlin 1.1.9 from 1.1.0 to do sensorless homing.

Analysis of Torque

• According to test results at 36V - the torque is great in Stealth Mode up to to 250mm/s - [1]

Wiring Detail

Source 1

• If smart controller is on Aux 3 - need to wire into Aux 2 headers - see Step 4 at [2]. Disclaimer - author questions validity of LCD working with TMC2130
• Covers 3 parameters set in software - sensitity to bump stop; holding torque; conversion from 16 to 256 microsteps
• Stealth chop gets you less power - how much less? Less speed. Unacceptable for fast bulk prints on large printers
• Can run in hybrid mode to set Stealth mode only below a certain speed, and high speed is noisy.
• Nothing about solder bridge on the driver to select mode?

Source 2

• Chris Riley - [3]5
• Step, Dir, Enable pins face down [4], 4 pins up. Diagnostic pin goes up [5].
• Sacrifices LCD for this install. SDRAMSP supports is commented out [6].
• Diagnostic pin goes to the end stop signal (rightmost). So effectively, we have to solder one pin on the TMC2130 to replace the end stops. That is worthwhile.
• Set x and y home bump to zero when using sensorless homing in config.h - [7]
• Install the TMC2130 library via Sketch -> Include library -> Manage libraries... But which version?
• Need cooling fans - [8]
• For the pins that we reassign - make sure you don't steal them from EXT2 if you are using the second extruder steppers [9].

And What About TMC2208?

• TMC2208 disadvantage - requires active cooling like TMC2230 - [10]
• Yes! Drop-in replacement that is quiet, with Stealthchop2. [11]. Requires firmware upgrade. Question is if the torque is acceptable.
• TMC2208 Instructable - [12]
• Yes, can get quiet operation as drop-in replacement, no modification needed outside of small firmware change, but not sensorless homing. [13]

Links

• Marlin docs on TMC2130 - [14]
• New: Marlin docs including TMC2208 - [15]
• Hackaday post - summary is that it's a job to configure properly - [16]
• Prusa forum - good list of references - and explanation of low torque is 12v operation instead of 24 or higher. 1A at 24V only is required to run all stepper motors??? [17]. See first response, Hardware point #9.

Sourcing

• TMC2209 are quiet, but no endstopless operation. Better torque - [18]