MotorBox
Before a robot moves, no matter if that’s walking, swimming, cruising a maze or tearing up asphalt, you need to address the interfacing and driving of different types of motors. Developing the relevant algorithms will increase project development time as tweaks and adaptations seem to be necessary for each new application. This project solves these issues by presenting a generic motor driver board that can drive three different types of motors, stepper, DC and servo, without having to program the algorithm for each motor. MotoBox is ideal for newcomers to robotics as well as for old hands who can use the board for prototyping and development. The board can also be used with two different types of motors simultaneously!
Materials
Gerber file
CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.
Elektor recommends the Elektor PCB Service service from its business partner Eurocircuits or AISLER as the best services for its own prototypes and volume production.
TIP: your first PCB at AISLER is free up to €30 with using the coupon code ELCCBB at checkout.
The use of our Gerber files is provided under a modified Creative Commons license. Creative Commons offers authors, scientists, educators and other creatives the freedom to handle their copyright in a more free way without losing their ownership.
Component list
Resistors
R1-R4,R6,R7 = 10kΩ
R5,R8,R15 = 4kΩ7
R9,R10 = 0.22Ω 5W
R11,R13 = 330Ω
R12,R14 = 470Ω
R16 = 5kΩ6
R17 = 1kΩ5
Capacitors
C1 = 100µF 40V radial
C2-C5,C10,C11,C13,C15-C19,C21 = 100nF
C6-C9 = 1µF 25V radial
C12,C14 = 220nF
C20 = 47µF 25V radial
C22 = 10µF 25V radial
C23 = 100nF
Semiconductors
D1-D12 = 1N5400
D13 = 1N4148
D14,D15 = bicolour LED, 5mm, 2 terminals
D16 = LED, 5mm
IC1 = PIC16F628-04/P, programmed, order code 070129-41
IC2 = 78L05
IC3 = MAX232
IC4,IC5 = L298N with heatsink for Multiwatt15 case (mouser.com)
IC6 = LM358
K1,K5-K10 = 2-way PCB terminal block, lead pitch 5mm
K2 = 3-way SIL pinheader
K3 = 9-way sub-D socket (female), angled pins, PCB mount
K4 = 4- way SIL pinheader
PCB, ref. 070129-1
PIC source & hex code files, free download # 070129-11.zip (coming soon..)
Discussion (0 comments)