If you're new to the world of motor control and looking for an easy-to-use, cost-effective evaluation board to get started, you might want to check out the STEVAL-IHM035V2. This evaluation board from STMicroelectronics is designed to run with the company's STSPIN220 low-voltage stepper driver, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to experiment with stepper motor control.

In this guide, we'll take you through everything you need to know to get started with the STEVAL-IHM035V2. We'll cover the board's features and specifications, look at some of the common applications for stepper motors, and provide step-by-step instructions to help you set up and program the evaluation board.

Features and Specifications

The STEVAL-IHM035V2 is a compact and robust single-board solution designed to drive a stepper motor rated up to 2.8 A of phase current (3.5 A peak) with up to 48 V DC. The board integrates a 250 V, 1 A MOSFET-based step-down regulator, and features a built-in microcontroller, which means that no external microcontroller is required to drive the stepper motor. Some of the board's key features include:

Optocoupler for input isolation

Configurable current decay mode

4-layer PCB for improved thermal performance

Microstepping up to 1/128 of the full step

Applications for Stepper Motors

Stepper motors are widely used in various applications that require precise control over the position, velocity, and acceleration of a motor. Some of the common applications of stepper motors include:

Robotics

CNC machines

Medical equipment

3D printing

Automated manufacturing

Solar trackers

Surveillance systems

And many others

Because stepper motors provide accurate control, high torque at low speeds, and excellent repeatability, they are a popular choice for any application that requires precise motion control.

Setting Up the STEVAL-IHM035V2

Before you get started with the STEVAL-IHM035V2, you'll need the following items:

The evaluation board (obviously)

A power supply that provides at least 12 V DC and up to 48 V DC

A stepper motor that matches the board's specifications (2.8 A of phase current, up to 48 V DC)

Jumper wires or a ribbon cable to connect the board to your motor

To set up the evaluation board, follow these steps:

1. Connect the power supply to the board's Vin and GND pins. Make sure the power supply voltage matches your motor's voltage rating.

2. Connect the motor to the board's A and B phase outputs. Make sure the motor's wiring matches the board's configuration.

3. Set the board's microstepping options by changing the position of the MS3, MS2, MS1 jumpers (see documentation).

4. Connect your programming hardware to the board's SWD header if you want to program the board yourself.

5. Alternatively, you can use the motor control software and the firmware pre-programmed on the board.

Programming the STEVAL-IHM035V2

The STEVAL-IHM035V2 is compatible with the STSPIN220 low-voltage stepper driver, which features a comprehensive software library that allows you to program the board in a variety of ways. Here's how to get started:

1. Download the STSW-STM32100 software from STMicroelectronics' website.

2. Install the software on your computer, and open it.

3. Connect the STEVAL-IHM035V2 to your computer using a USB cable.

4. Configure your motor parameters in the software.

5. Compile and upload your program to the board.

Conclusion

The STEVAL-IHM035V2 evaluation board is an excellent entry-level board for anyone interested in getting started with stepper motor control. Its compact design, built-in microcontroller, and comprehensive library of software make it easy to experiment with stepper motor control without breaking the bank. Whether you're interested in robotics, 3D printing, CNC machines, or any other application that requires precise motion control, the STEVAL-IHM035V2 is a great choice for beginners and advanced users alike.