Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller

The Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller makes basic control of a stepper motor easy, with quick configuration over USB using our free software.

AUD$ 45.95

In stock in Australia  

Shipping from $7.90

+210 more from our supplier in 7-10 days

Our Code: SKU-004601

Supplier Link: [Pololu MPN:3135]


Description

Overview


The Tic family of stepper motor controllers makes it easy to add basic control of a bipolar stepper motor to a variety of projects. These versatile, general-purpose modules support six different control interfaces: USB for direct connection to a computer, TTL serial and I²C for use with a microcontroller, RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system, analog voltages for use with a potentiometer or analog joystick, and quadrature encoder for use with a rotary encoder dial. They also offer many settings that can be configured using our free configuration utility (for Windows, Linux, and macOS). This software simplifies initial setup of the device and allows for in-system testing and monitoring of the controller via USB (a micro-B USB cable is required to connect the Tic to a computer).

The table below lists the members of the Tic family and shows the key differences between them.


Tic T500

Tic T834

Tic T825
Operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 35 V(1) 2.5 V to 10.8 V 8.5 V to 45 V(1)
Max current per phase
(no additional cooling):
1.5 A 1.5 A 1.5 A
Microstep resolutions: full
half
1/4
1/8
full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
Automatic decay selection:
Price (connectors not soldered): $19.95 $29.95 $29.95
Price (connectors soldered): $21.95 $31.95 $31.95

1 See product pages and user’s guide for operating voltage limitations.

Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Features and specifications

  • Open-loop speed or position control of one bipolar stepper motor
  • A variety of control interfaces:
    • USB for direct connection to a computer
    • TTL serial operating at 5 V for use with a microcontroller
    • I²C for use with a microcontroller
    • RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system
    • Analogue voltage for use with a potentiometer or analogue joystick
    • Quadrature encoder input for use with a rotary encoder dial, allowing full rotation without limits (not for position feedback)
    • STEP/DIR inputs for compatibility with existing stepper motor control firmware
  • Acceleration and deceleration limiting
  • Maximum stepper speed: 50,000 steps per second
  • Very slow speeds down to 1 step every 200 seconds (or 1 step every 1428 seconds with reduced resolution).
  • Up to six different microstep resolutions:
    • The Tic T825 and Tic T834 supports full step, half step, 1/4 step, 1/8 step, 1/16 step, and 1/32 step
    • The Tic T500 supports full step, half step, 1/4 step, 1/8 step
  • Digitally adjustable current limit
  • Optional safety controls to avoid unexpectedly powering the motor
  • Input calibration (learning) and adjustable scaling degree for analogue and RC signals
  • 5 V regulator (no external logic voltage supply needed)
  • Optional kill switch inputs
  • Connects to a computer through USB via a USB A to Micro-B cable (not included)
  • Free configuration software available for Windows, Linux, and macOS
  • Comprehensive user’s guide

Details for item #3135

Basic pinout diagram of the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller.

The Tic T500 is based on the MP6500 IC from Monolithic Power Systems. This driver IC features automatic decay mode selection, using internal current sensing to automatically adjust the decay mode as necessary to provide the smoothest current waveform. The Tic T500 can operate from 4.5 V to 35 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.5 A continuous per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (the peak current per phase is 2.5 A). This version is sold unassembled so soldering is necessary to use it.

Powering the Tic T500 with a supply voltage between 4.5 V and 5.5 V might cause its logic voltage to be lower than normal, which could affect operation. See the user’s guide for more information.

Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (without connectors soldered) with included headers and terminal blocks.

A version is also available that requires no soldering to use as the terminal blocks and main header pins are already installed.


Specifications

Dimensions

Size: 1.50″ × 1.05″ × 0.42″1
Weight: 4.8 g1

General specifications

Model: Tic T500
Motor driver: MP6500
Control interface: USB; non-inverted TTL serial; I²C;
RC servo pulses; analogue voltage; quadrature encoder
Minimum operating voltage: 4.5 V2
Maximum operating voltage: 35 V
Continuous current per phase: 1.5 A3
Maximum current per phase: 2.5 A4
Maximum step rate: 50000 PPS
Microstep resolutions: full, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8
Reverse voltage protection?: Y
Connectors soldered: N

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes: tic03a
Other PCB markings: 0J11038

Notes:

1
Without included optional hardware.
2
Powering the Tic T500 with a supply voltage between 4.5 V and 5.5 V might cause its logic voltage to be lower than normal, which could affect operation. See the user’s guide for more information.
3
Without a heat sink or forced air flow.
4
With sufficient additional cooling.

Resources

Documentation and other information

Tic Stepper Motor Controller User’s Guide (Printable PDF)

User’s manual for the Pololu Tic USB Stepper Motor Controller.


File downloads

Tic Software and Drivers for Windows (9MB msi)
Tic Software for Linux (x86) (8MB xz)
Tic Software for Linux (Raspberry Pi) (6MB xz)
Tic Software for macOS (7MB pkg)
Dimension diagram of the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (199k pdf)
Dimension diagram of the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (215k pdf)
Dimension diagram of the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (295k pdf)
Texas Instruments DRV8825 stepper motor driver datasheet (1MB pdf)
Texas Instruments DRV8834 stepper motor driver datasheet (2MB pdf)
MPS MP6500 stepper motor driver datasheet (1MB pdf)
3D model of the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (12MB step)
3D model of the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (11MB step)
3D model of the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (11MB step)
Drill guide for the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (76k dxf)
This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.
Drill guide for the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (71k dxf)
This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.
Drill guide for the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (82k dxf)
This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.
UM10204 I²C-bus specification and user manual (1MB pdf)
The official specification for the I²C-bus, which is maintained by NXP.

Recommended links

Tic Stepper Motor Controller software source code
This repository contains the source code of the Pololu Tic Command-line Utility (ticcmd) and the Pololu Tic Control Centre (ticgui). It also has drivers for Windows and build instructions.
Tic Stepper Motor Controller library for Arduino
This is a library for the Arduino IDE that helps interface with a Tic Stepper Motor Controller using serial or I²C.

FAQs

I want to control a 3.9 V, 600 mA per phase bipolar stepper motor like this, but your Tic T825 stepper motor controller has a minimum operating voltage of 8.5 V. Can I use this controller without damaging the stepper motor?

Yes. To avoid damaging your stepper motor, you want to avoid exceeding the rated current, which is 600 mA in this instance. The Tic T825 stepper motor controller has configurable current limiting, so you can set a limit that is appropriate for your stepper motor. As long as you set the limit below the rated current, you will be within spec for your motor, even if the voltage exceeds the rated voltage. The voltage rating is just the voltage at which each coil draws the rated current, so the coils of your stepper motor will draw 600 mA at 3.9 V. By using a higher voltage along with active current limiting, the current is able to ramp up faster, which lets you achieve higher step rates than you could using the rated voltage.

If you do want to use a lower motor supply voltage for other reasons, consider using the Tic T500, which operates from 4.5 V to 35 V, or the Tic T834, which operates from 2.5 V to 10.8 V.

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