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

This is a merged information page for Item #3140.
View normal product page.

Pololu item #: 3140
Brand: Pololu
Status: Active and Preferred 
RoHS 3 compliant


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. The controller supports six control interfaces: USB, TTL serial, I²C, analog voltage (potentiometer), quadrature encoder, and hobby radio control (RC). This version incorporates a discrete MOSFET stepper motor driver, and it ships with soldered header pins and terminal blocks. It can operate from 8 V to 50 V and can deliver up to approximately 4 A per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (or 6 A max with sufficient additional cooling).

Alternatives available with variations in these parameter(s): model connectors soldered? Select variant…

Compare all products in Tic Stepper Motor Controllers.

Pictures

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

Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller (top view).

Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller (bottom view).

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

Tic T500, T834, T825, T249, and 36v4 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controllers.

The Status tab of the Pololu Tic Control Center.

The Input and Motor Settings tab of the Pololu Tic Control Center.

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




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: Yes Yes Yes
Automatic gain control (AGC): Yes
Driver IC: MP6500 DRV8834 DRV8825 TB67S249FTG discrete MOSFETs
Price (connectors not soldered): $29.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $59.95
Price (connectors soldered): $31.95 $41.95 $41.95 $51.95 $61.95

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

Details for item #3140

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.

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; analog 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.

Documentation and other information

File downloads

Recommended links

Frequently-asked questions

I want to control a 3.9 V, 600 mA bipolar stepper motor. Can I use a Tic stepper motor controller that has a minimum operating voltage above 3.9 V 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. All of our Tic stepper motor controllers have 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 T834, which operates from 2.5 V to 10.8 V, or the Tic T500, which operates from 4.5 V to 35 V.

On the blog