Introducing the Motate128 Stepper Motor Control System.
Primarily designed to drive 3D printers, such as RepRaps and MakerBots, as well as CNC milling machines and DIY laser cutters, it's truly capable of driving almost any project that is based on bipolar stepper motors. And it will always be 100% open source, software and hardware. I've also submitted it as an entry into the Open Hardware Scholarship competition.
Utilizing the ST L6470 chip, it's capable of 1/128th-step microstepping with speed and acceleration control (which is why I chose the model I did for the Acceleration mods to the MakerBot firmware), with minimal intervention of the microcontroller. It even supports sensorless skipped-step detection, so missed steps could be accounted for in real-time.
With a truly modular design, the Motate128 Stepper Drivers could be used in any number of other projects on their own.
Adding temperature measurement and MOSFETs to drive heating elements, DC motors, solenoids, etc, the Motate128 Shield sits atop an Arduino to drive up to six Stepper Drivers.
For compatibility there will be modified versions of both the MakerBot and RepRap firmwares to support the new hardware.
And finally, the Filament Caliper will use hall-effect sensors to precisely measure the filament width and speed as it enters the extruder, allowing unprecedented levels of accuracy depositing extruded plastic.
Update: Credit where it's due, this is inspired by a blog post on the Ultimaker site, and I would love to continue to collaborate on this with them or anyone else.
