TMC2208 vs TMC2209: What’s The Difference?

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TMC2208 and TMC2209 are both stepper motor drivers produced by Trinamic Motion Control.

They are designed to provide efficient and quiet motion control for 3D printers and other applications.

Both drivers offer features such as microstep interpolation, stealthChop for silent operation, and stallGuard for sensorless homing. While these drivers have many similarities, there are some key differences between them.

Are you planning to buy one of these motor drivers? We have a full guide for you.

We are going to discuss key differences between them.

Overview of TMC2208

The TMC2208 is a silent, high-efficiency stepper motor driver designed for use in 3D printers. It is a direct replacement for the popular TMC2100, and it offers improved performance and quieter operation.

This driver offers a wide range of features, including stall detection, adjustable current, and sensorless homing. It also supports industry-standard step and direction inputs, as well as SPI and UART control.

The TMC2208 is capable of delivering up to 2.8A of motor current, allowing for high-performance and silent operation.

This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to upgrade their 3D printers. Also, it has the ability to detect and avoid motor stalls, which helps to reduce the risk of damage to the motor and the printer.

Furthermore, the TMC2208 is compatible with many popular 3D printer controllers, such as Marlin and Repetier.

Overview of TMC2209: What is it and how it works?

The TMC2209 is a stepper motor driver designed for use in 3D printers, CNC machines, and other robotics applications. It features a high-performance, low-noise, and low-vibration design, as well as an integrated micro-step interpolation up to 256 micro-steps per step.

The TMC2209 uses a combination of digital and analog components to ensure smooth, quiet operation. It provides a wide range of adjustable parameters and settings, allowing users to tailor the motor driver to their specific needs.

Additionally, the driver features over-temperature, over-current, and under-voltage protection, as well as stealthChop2 mode for highly silent stepper motor operation.

TMC2208 Features

Here are the key features of theTMC2208 stepper motor.

-It is a 2-phase stepper motor that can be used for a variety of applications.

-High holding torque, allowing for precise and accurate positioning in a wide range of applications.

-High efficiency rating, meaning it can produce more torque than other stepper motors with the same power input.

-The motor driver has a wide range of operating voltages from 8 to 45 volts, allowing for flexibility in the type of power supply used.

-The motor has built-in microstepping for smoother, quieter operation and more precise positioning.

-It is a low-noise motor with a low vibration level, making it suitable for use in noise-sensitive applications.

-It is easy to install and configure, and it comes with a built-in driver.

-It has a low-maintenance design, with no need for lubrication or other maintenance. -Has passive breaking and free-wheeling. This is vital as it helps to prevent the motor from stalling in the event of a power failure.

-Internal sense resistor option helps to monitor current flow and temperature, allowing for better protection against overloads and overheating.

-STEP/DIR Interface option for easy connection with microcontroller and other controllers.

-Integrated Pulse Generator that guarantees a standalone motion. This feature ensures that the motor continues to move even if the control signal is disconnected.

TMC2209 Features

-Two-phase stepper motor with the peak coil current of up to 2.8A

-Motor current setting through software in the range from 0.5A to 2.8A

-Low RDS(ON) power MOSFETs -256 microsteps

-Sensorless homing

-CoolStep™ dynamic current reduction

-StallGuard2™ load sensing

-SpreadCycle™ chopper

-Voltage-based or current-based current control

-Highly configurable via UART interface -Over temperature protection

-Compact QNF package

-Up to 32V supply voltage

-Single Wire UART & OTP that make it possible to achieve an advanced configuration -Highly compatible with various 3D printer boards

-Low standby power that meet the requirements of the ErP2.0 standard

-Integrated Flyback diode

-Optimised for silent operatio

TMC2208 vs TMC2209: What’s The Difference?

Now that you know the features of these two stepper motor drivers, let’s take a look at the key differences between them.

Current rating

The TMC2209 is rated for up to 2.8A RMS current, while the TMC2208 is rated for up to 1.2A RMS current. This means that the TMC2209 can handle higher current loads than the TMC2208. Does this difference affect the performance? Yes, this difference in current rating affects the performance of the stepper motors as they will be able to handle higher loads with the TMC2209 than with the TMC2208. This makes the TMC2209 a better choice for applications requiring more power, such as 3D printing, CNC machines, and robotics.

Step intervals

The TMC2209 has a larger step interval range than the TMC2208, meaning that it can support a wider range of microstepping resolutions. This makes the TMC2209 more suitable for applications requiring precise control, such as 3D printers and laser cutters.

Voltage rating

The TMC2209 is rated for up to 45V, while the TMC2208 is rated for up to 36V. This means that the TMC2209 can handle higher voltage loads than the TMC2208.

Software compatibility

The TMC2209 is compatible with Trinamic’s StealthChop2™ motion control software, while the TMC2208 is not. This means that the TMC2209 can be used with Trinamic’s motion control software to achieve smoother motion and better control.

QNF package

While both have a QNF package, there is a slight difference in the mode of packaging. The most notable difference is that the TMC2209 has large heat sunk while the TMC2208 features a wattable QNF package.

Braking system

There is also a difference in the braking mechanisms deployed by the two. TMC2209 has a passive braking system whereby the current is reduced when the stepper motor is not in motion, while the TMC2208 has an active braking system which uses an external resistor to dissipate the energy stored in the motor when it is not in motion. The passive braking system used by the TMC2209 is more efficient than the active braking system used by the TMC2208.

Dimensions

Dimension is all about size and the TMC2209 is slightly bigger than the TMC2208. The TMC2208 measures at 9.7mm x 9.7mm while the TMC2209 comes in at 11.5mm x 11.5mm.

Does the dimension matter? Yes, the dimensions do matter as they affect the size of the board or the space in which the stepper motor drivers can be used.

The TMC2208 is more suitable for applications requiring a smaller form factor, while the TMC2209 is a better choice for applications that need a larger size.

TMC2208 vs TMC2209: Key Similarities

Despite the differences, the two are also similar in different aspects.

– Both are Trinamic stepper motor drivers that are used in 3D printers.

-Both have a wide range of current control and micro-stepping levels.

-Both the motors have stall detection, stealthChop2, and stallGuard2 for silent operation.

-Both are capable of providing up to 256 microsteps for smooth movement.

-Both are compatible with most 3D printer boards, including Marlin, Repetier, and Smoothieware.

-Both have a built-in voltage regulator to protect against power supply issues.

-Both feature over-temperature and over-current protection.

-Both feature a built-in PWM current control for precise current control.

Is TMC2208 compatible with A4988?

No, TMC2208 stepper motor drivers are not compatible with A4988 stepper motor drivers.

While both are stepper motor drivers, the TMC2208 uses a different protocol, and is not directly compatible with the A4988.

However, it is possible to use a TMC2208 in place of an A4988, but it requires additional hardware, such as an STM32F0 board, and a separate control board to translate the commands from the A4988 to the TMC2208.

How do I enable TMC2208?

To enable a TMC2208 stepper motor driver, you must first connect the driver to the appropriate power and motor connections.

You can then use a suitable tool to send the appropriate commands to the driver to enable it.

To do this, you will need to connect the driver to a microcontroller or other compatible device, such as an Arduino. Once connected, you can send the appropriate commands from the microcontroller to the driver to enable it.

For more detailed instructions on enabling a TMC2208 driver, please refer to the driver’s product manual.

TMC2208 vs TMC2209: Which one should I choose?

The TMC2208 and TMC2209 are both stepper motor drivers, and the primary difference between them is the type of current control they offer.

The TMC2208 offers spreadCycle current control, which provides a smoother and quieter operation, while the TMC2209 offers stealthChop current control, which provides higher torque and faster acceleration.

If you need a quieter operation, then the TMC2208 would be the best option, while if you need higher torque and faster acceleration, then the TMC2209 would be the better option.

You may also consider the price. The TMC2208 is generally more affordable than the TMC2209, and may be a better choice if you are on a budget.

Conclusion

I hope that at this point you know the difference between the TMC2208 and TMC2209. You can now make an informed decision when it comes to buying these stepper motor drivers. As a general rule of thumb, ensure that you purchase from reliable suppliers in China such as ICRFQ.

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