TRINAMIC Motion Control Releases Streamlined TMC2100 Stepper Motor, Embraced by 3D Printing Community

Developers can breathe a small sigh of relief today as they can look forward to easier and much faster redesigns with less stress on deadlines due to a new stepper motor just released by Germany’s TRINAMIC Motion Control.

The TMC2100 is a single-axis stepper motor control and driver IC, unique in both its quality and extreme simplicity regarding both use and setup. The new stepper motor features:

• Integrated MOSFETs to drive RMS motor current to 1.2A
• Configuration via seven pins on the driver IC
• No required intervention by host CPU
• Up to 256 micro-steps per full step to maximize rotational precision
• TRINAMIC’s patented stealthChop IP, eliminating motor noise

This level of simplicity is indicative of many contemporary, smarter technologies currently evolving within many industries. Solving the issue presented by peripheral complexities in traditional designs across the board, the German company expects the product will prove beneficial for their clients across multiple sectors, including biotechnology, lab automation, materials handling, CCTV and factory automation.

The TMC2100 has also proven itself as being popular with the 3D printing and maker community, which means we should see it displayed as a part in many new projects being shared worldwide in different open-source designs.

TRINAMIC is a leader worldwide regarding both motor and motion control technologies, committed to making designer-centric products that promote efficiency and productivity whether for use in serious work or hobbyist projects, with the goal in stepper motors usually being to achieve precision in position, as well as superior speed and electronic control.

“Developers are under constant pressure to reduce design cycles and deliver products to market,” explained TRINAMIC CEO and founder Michael Randt. “Our new TMC2100 was specifically designed to address this overriding commercial requirement. Eliminating the need for many external components and for CPU software coding to setup and parameterize the motor drive means designers can get their systems ready for deployment with seven quick decisions implemented directly on the PCB.”

With the motor often being operated in workshops, offices, and lab environments where humans are present, noise reduction is an attractive improvement in the motors which are most often used in robotics where standalone operation is often required and precise control is a must. The TMC2100 is able to meet these requirements and offers motion through step, direction, and enable pins. The TMC2130 is a sister IC that offers added versatility, along with a standard SPI interface including comprehensive diagnostics. Now available, users are able to order the devices in the TRINAMIC QFN36 (5x6mm) package, at $2.30 USD each in volumes of 1000. The following are also available:

• Evaluation kit
• Reference source code
• Reference layout
• Free desktop development and evaluation software

With over 20 years of experience in providing application-driven motors to a customer base that involves many who are leaders within their industry, TRINAMIC focuses on using the famous German engineering which includes quality and integrity in business dealings. Their products are sold through a global distribution network, with headquarters in both Singapore as well as North America.

Discuss your thoughts on this new stepper motor in the New TRINAMIC TMC2100 Stepper Motor forum over at 3DPB.com.