3D printer A4988/DRV8825 stepper motor drive control panel/expansion board 3D printing engraving machine

Set the microstepping with one switch

Slide the three DIP switches to choose how finely each step is divided. Choose a mode to see the switch positions and steps per turn for a standard 1.8° NEMA 17 motor.

Specifications

What you can build

One board per motor. Use as many as you need.

Wiring it to Arduino UNO

Check before you power on: install the driver module the right way round, with its pin labels matching the labels on the board. A driver plugged in backwards can burn. Connect the motor first, and never unplug it while the board is powered.

Basic Arduino code

This sketch turns the motor one full revolution one way, waits, then turns it back. It assumes a 1.8° motor (200 steps per turn) with all three DIP switches off.

const int stepPin = 3;
const int dirPin = 2;
const int enPin = 8;
void setup() {
  pinMode(stepPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(dirPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(enPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(enPin, LOW);   // LOW = driver on
}
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(dirPin, HIGH);
  for (int i = 0; i < 200; i++) {
    digitalWrite(stepPin, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(1000);
    digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(1000);
  }
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(dirPin, LOW);
  for (int i = 0; i < 200; i++) {
    digitalWrite(stepPin, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(1000);
    digitalWrite(stepPin, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(1000);
  }
  delay(1000);
}

To spin faster, reduce the 1000 microsecond delays. With all three switches on (1/16 step on the A4988), use 3200 steps per turn instead of 200.

Set the motor current first

Before running a motor, adjust the small trimmer on your A4988 or DRV8825 module so the current limit matches your motor. Use the heatsink, and see our A4988 or DRV8825 product page for the exact setting.

Questions buyers ask