How to ACTUALLY get started with STEVAL-SPIN3202 ??

[ACAND.1]

In order to actuate a gripper prototype, I decided to buy a BLDC motor from Maxon (EC-32 flat), and an evaluation board to drive it (STEVAL-SPIN3204, then STEVAL-SPIN3202).

After setting up the hardware connection with the STEVAL-SPIN3204, I manage to launch the example that was presented in MC workbench. The result was a motor not spinning, vibrating, and the program stopping after a few seconds. After a lot of time wasted in trying to get things working by twicking in the monitoring window, I decided to buy another board (STEVAL-SPIN3202) that was actually compatible with MC Workbench.

Setting up the hardware again, and figuring out the jumpers thingys based on the obscure documentation of the board, and being able to finally create my own project on MCW, I try to hopfully launch the compiled bin on the board, but nothing. On top of that, impossible to even connect the board through UART to the monitoring window.

So now, I am kindly asking for guidance on how to actually set up PROPERLY one of those board, and what could be the detailed steps to follow to be able to control the motor using a Hall sensor, a position sensor and the torque feedback of the board.

Thank you in advance for your answers,

Best

Arthur CANDALOT

[Cristiana SCARAMEL]

Hello @ACAND.1​ and welcome to the ST Community.

Which driving algorithm do you want to use, FOC or 6-step?

In case of FOC algorithm the STEVAL-SPIN3204 is not compatible, with the STEVAL-SPIN3202 you can create a new project in the STM32 MC Workbench (X-CUBE-MCSDK).

In case of 6-step driving, for both boards you can find the examples to generates in the STM32 MC Workbench.

Please note that in the "Documentation" tab of board pages (above linked) you can find the user manuals for board and FW.

If you share your hardware settings, the parameters configuration and a detailed description of your issue we could try to help you.

[ACAND.1]

Hello Ms Scaramel,

Thank you greatly for your reply.

I would preferably use the FOC algorithm, but after looking at the setup to prepare the STEVAL-SPIN3202 with a hall sensor and soldering and desoldering the jumpers, I believe the easiest and most accessible solution would be a 6-step algorithm on the STEVAL-SPIN3204.

In terms of hardware, I am using a 24V EC-32 flat from Maxon motors, equipped with a hall sensor.

After following the tutorial for the STEVAL-SPIN3204 (6-step sensorless) and inserted all the different parameters in MC workbench, I could not manage to make it turn for some reasons. The motor would start buzzing while the software monitor would show the sensorless control plot converge to 1200RPM and shut down.

It was looking like the phase transition between the poles aren't following properly, but even after trying different startup settings I was unsuccessful and bought the second board to try my luck with the FOC algorithm.

My two main issues for my application is how to make the motor turn by just using the evaluation board, and then finally get some guidance on the way to set up any kind of torque feedback and motion control (sensored stop, course stop mainly).

I would be able to share my directory tomorrow morning for more extensive details on the setup and configuration I am trying to run.

Best

Arthur Candalot

[Cristiana SCARAMEL]

Hello @ACAND.1​,

any progress about your project?

If I understand well you decided to use the STEVAL-SPIN3204, but why did you select the 6-step sensorless if you have a motor equipped with Hall sensors?

For a better support please share the details of your final choice.

The board you have chosen and the HW configuration according to the driving method selected.

The software version you are using.

In the STM32 MC Workbench (X-CUBE-MCSDK Rev Y) you can find some FW examples:

• Six-Step Sensorless and Voltage Mode on a STEVAL-SPIN3204
• Six-Step Hall Sensor and Voltage Mode on a STEVAL-SPIN3204

Once defined HW, SW and FW we can proceed with the next steps.