Texas Instruments launched three new devices for 24-V stepper motors. Two devices offer TI’s AutoTune technology to eliminate stepper motor tuning and two integrate current sensing to support differentiated 3-D printers, robotics, factory automation equipment, and other applications.
AutoTune technology on the DRV8880 and DRV8881 devices eliminates the time-consuming, iterative process of manual tuning. This monitors motor performance over its lifetime and adjusts decay settings. As a result, it’s possible to develop motors that run quietly and efficiently despite changes in motor properties, supply voltage, load, and torque.
For motor systems that do not require AutoTune technology, engineers can use the new DRV8885 bipolar stepper motor driver with integrated current sensing. Designers can speed evaluation and design with the new stepper-motor drivers using the following evaluation modules (EVM), each of which features an onboard MSP430 microcontroller : DRV8880EVM, DRV8881EEVM (for phase/enable interface), DRV8881PEVM (for PWM interface) and DRV8885EVM.
Pricing in 1,000-unit quantities starts at 1.92 for the DRV8880 and US$1.60 for the DRV8881. The DRV8885 (available in a 24-pin HTSSOP package) starts at $1.50 in 1,000-unit quantities. The DRV8884 will be available soon in a 24-pin HTSSOP package for $1 in 1,000-unit quantities.
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