Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller (Connectors Soldered)

The Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller makes basic control of a stepper motor easy, with quick configuration over USB using our free software.

AUD$ 90.95

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Our Code: SKU-005630

Supplier Link: [Pololu MPN:3140]


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 among them.


Tic T500

Tic T834

Tic T825

Tic T249

Tic 36v4
Operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 35 V(1) 2.5 V to 10.8 V 8.5 V to 45 V(1) 10 V to 47 V(1) 8 V to 50 V(1)
Max continuous current per phase
(no additional cooling):
1.5 A 1.5 A 1.5 A 1.8 A 4 A
Peak current per phase
(additional cooling required):
2.5 A 2 A 2.5 A 4.5 A 6 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
full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
1/64
1/128
1/256
Automatic decay selection:
Automatic gain control (AGC):
Driver IC: MP6500 DRV8834 DRV8825 TB67S249FTG discrete MOSFETs
Price (connectors not soldered): $19.95 $29.95 $29.95 $39.95 $49.95
Price (connectors soldered): $21.95 $31.95 $31.95 $41.95 $51.95

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

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

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

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

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power 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).
  • Selectable microstep modes up to 1/256-step resolution:
    • The Tic 36v4 supports full-step to 1/256-step modes
    • The Tic T825, Tic T834, and T249 support full-step to 1/32-step modes
    • The Tic T500 supports full-step to 1/8-step modes
  • 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 limit switch inputs with homing capabilities
  • Optional kill switch inputs
  • STEP/DIR outputs for controlling external stepper motor drivers
  • 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
  • Arduino library makes it easy to get started using these controllers with an Arduino or compatible board
  • Comprehensive user’s guide

Details for item #3140

Basic pinout diagram of the Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller.

The Tic 36v4 High-Power Stepper Motor Controller uses discrete MOSFET H-bridges, allowing it to control large stepper motors that demand more current than typical integrated drivers can handle, but it matches the compact form factor of our lower-power Tic controllers. It supports nine microstepping modes with as small as 1/256-step resolution, as well as various current decay modes, including an automatic mixed decay mode. The Tic 36v4 can operate from 8 V to 50 V and can deliver up to approximately 4 A continuous per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (6 A max with sufficient additional cooling). This version is sold with connectors soldered so no soldering is necessary to use it.

Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller (Connectors Soldered).

A version is also available with header pins and terminal blocks included but not soldered.


Specifications

Dimensions

Size: 1.50″ × 1.05″ × 0.47″
Weight: 9.6 g

General specifications

Model: Tic 36v4
Motor driver: discrete MOSFETs
Control interface: USB; non-inverted TTL serial; I²C;
RC servo pulses; analogue voltage; quadrature encoder
Minimum operating voltage: 8 V
Maximum operating voltage: 50 V1
Continuous current per phase: 4 A2
Maximum current per phase: 6 A3
Maximum step rate: 50000 PPS
Microstep resolutions: full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128, and 1/256
Reverse voltage protection?: Y4
Connectors soldered?: Y

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes: tic06a
Other PCB markings: 0J12451

Notes:

1
Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.
2
Without a heat sink or forced air flow.
3
With sufficient additional cooling.
4
To -40 V. Connecting supplies over 40 V in reverse can damage the device.

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 (10MB msi)
Tic Software for Linux (x86) (8MB xz)
Tic Software for Linux (Raspberry Pi) (6MB xz)
Tic Software for macOS (8MB pkg)
Dimension diagram of the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (198k pdf)
Dimension diagram of the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (215k pdf)
Dimension diagram of the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (199k pdf)
Dimension diagram of the Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (348k pdf)
MPS MP6500 stepper motor driver datasheet (1MB pdf)
Texas Instruments DRV8834 stepper motor driver datasheet (2MB pdf)
Texas Instruments DRV8825 stepper motor driver datasheet (1MB pdf)
TB67S249FTG datasheet (533k pdf)
3D model of the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (11MB step)
3D model of the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (11MB step)
3D model of the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (12MB step)
3D model of the Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (12MB step)
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.
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 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 T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (77k 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

Video: Getting Started with the Tic Stepper Motor Controllers

Getting up and running with your Tic stepper motor controller from Pololu is easy. This video will guide you through the basic steps to connect your Tic to its software and control a stepper motor from your computer.

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 Center (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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