Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller

The Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface 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 an MPS MP6500 driver and male headers and terminal blocks are included but not soldered. It can operate from 4.5 V to 35 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.5 A per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (or 2.5 A max with sufficient additional cooling).

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).

Dimensions

General specifications

Identifying markings

Notes:

1 Powering the Tic T500 with a supply voltage between 4.5 V and 5.5 V might cause its logic voltage to be lower than normal, which could affect operation. See the user’s guide for more information.
2 Without a heat sink or forced air flow.
3 With sufficient additional cooling.

Features and specifications

• Open-loop speed or position control of one bipolar stepper motor
• A variety of control interfaces:
  • USB for direct connection to a computer
  • TTL serial operating at 5 V for use with a microcontroller
  • I²C for use with a microcontroller
  • RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system
  • Analog voltage for use with a potentiometer or analog joystick
  • Quadrature encoder input for use with a rotary encoder dial, allowing full rotation without limits (not for position feedback)
  • STEP/DIR inputs for compatibility with existing stepper motor control firmware
• Acceleration and deceleration limiting
• Maximum stepper speed: 50,000 steps per second
• Very slow speeds down to 1 step every 200 seconds (or 1 step every 1428 seconds with reduced resolution).
• Up to six different microstep resolutions:
  • The Tic T825 and Tic T834 supports full step, half step, 1/4 step, 1/8 step, 1/16 step, and 1/32 step
  • The Tic T500 supports full step, half step, 1/4 step, 1/8 step
• Digitally adjustable current limit
• Optional safety controls to avoid unexpectedly powering the motor
• Input calibration (learning) and adjustable scaling degree for analog and RC signals
• 5 V regulator (no external logic voltage supply needed)
• Optional kill switch inputs
• Connects to a computer through USB via a USB A to Micro-B cable(not included)
• Free configuration software available for Windows, Linux, and macOS
• Comprehensive user’s guide

The Tic T500 is based on the MP6500 IC from Monolithic Power Systems. This driver IC features automatic decay mode selection, using internal current sensing to automatically adjust the decay mode as necessary to provide the smoothest current waveform. The Tic T500 can operate from 5.5 V to 35 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.5 A continuous per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (the peak current per phase is 2.5 A). This version is sold with connectors soldered so no soldering is necessary to use it.

Tic Stepper Motor Controller User’s Guide (Printable PDF)

User’s manual for the Pololu Tic USB Stepper Motor Controller.

File downloads

Tic Software and Drivers for Windows (9MB msi)

Tic Software for Linux (x86) (8MB xz)

Tic Software for Linux (Raspberry Pi) (6MB xz)

Tic Software for macOS (7MB pkg)

Dimension diagram of the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller(199k pdf)

Dimension diagram of the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller(215k pdf)

Dimension diagram of the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller(198k pdf)

Texas Instruments DRV8825 stepper motor driver datasheet (1MB pdf)

Texas Instruments DRV8834 stepper motor driver datasheet (2MB pdf)

MPS MP6500 stepper motor driver datasheet (1MB pdf)

3D model of the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (12MB step)

3D model of the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (11MB step)

3D model of the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (11MB step)

Drill guide for the Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (76k dxf)

This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.

Drill guide for the Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (71k dxf)

This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.

Drill guide for the Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (82k dxf)

This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.

UM10204 I²C-bus specification and user manual (1MB pdf)

The official specification for the I²C-bus, which is maintained by NXP.

Recommended links

Video: Getting Started with the Tic Stepper Motor Controllers

Getting up and running with your Tic stepper motor controller from Pololu is easy. This video will guide you through the basic steps to connect your Tic to its software and control a stepper motor from your computer.

Tic Stepper Motor Controller software source code

This repository contains the source code of the Pololu Tic Command-line Utility (ticcmd) and the Pololu Tic Control Center (ticgui). It also has drivers for Windows and build instructions.

Tic Stepper Motor Controller library for Arduino

This is a library for the Arduino IDE that helps interface with a Tic Stepper Motor Controller using serial or I²C.

Customer Reviews: