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Grinder speed control with stable RPM

Uses BackEMF to track speed of AC brushed motor

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This PCB replaces original board in popular cheap china mini-drill. Upgraded drill does not suffer from low torque (and motor stop) at slow speed.

Speed is calculated via BackEMF and does not require any additional sensors. Just replace original control board, and magic happens :).

Hardware is universal, and should be ok for any AC brushed motor. But due time limits, PCBs have been routed only for most popular models. The rest is left to volunteers.


  • Github - Firmware & assembly manual.
  • EasyEDA - Schematics / PCB / BOM (everything can be ordered in couple of clicks).

We did this project to learn how to make modern electronics easy to repeat by anyone. Also, doc folder contains all details about maths, algorithm pitfalls and raw data logs. May be, that will save some time to one who decide develop something similar.

Enjoy!

  • New firmware (v3) and boards (v4)

    Vitaly08/15/2021 at 23:25 0 comments

    Notable update. Since old grinders (Hilda 180) are discontinued, PCBs were reworked for new models:

    Also, there are notable changes in software, and minor schematic tweaks. The most notable things:

    • New boards support.
    • Replaced PID with ADRC.
    • Improved calibration.
    • Single side SMD mounting.

  • New boards & fails :)

    Vitaly04/25/2021 at 14:26 0 comments

    I tried to simplify schematic, and replace AC-DC convertor to inductor-less, based on KP3310SGA:

    Also, tweaked schematic a bit to route all components on single side, and added board for one more grinder model.

    Unfortunately, when received PCB and started to test KP3310SGA, found one serious disadvantage. Turn on time takes 5-10 seconds after power on :). This may be acceptable for some appliances, but not usable with grinder.

    So, i had to abandon v3 hardware in favor of v4:

    AC-DC uses LNK3204, but other advantages of v3 still exists:

    • More PCB variants, for actual grinder models
    • Single side SMD components mounting

    Those are not tested yet. Just ordered.

  • Firmware 2.0.0

    Vitaly10/05/2020 at 12:02 0 comments

    https://github.com/speedcontrols/ac_sc_grinder

    One more rework:

    • Ported to STM32F0 family (with limited  hardware multiplication and no division).
    • Significantly reduced RAM demands.
    • Added HALs for new boards.
    • Open triac with short pulses.
    • Fixed max possible speed.
    • Other minor changes.

    Now firmware can fit into any MCU with 4K RAM & 32K flash. Our choice is STM32F042F6P6 - because it can be flashed by USB without ST-Llink.

    Also, final schematic was simplified again, and routed for actual grinder models. Here is temporary link: https://easyeda.com/speed/ac-speed-control-v2. It was not tested yet, but i already ordered PCB and components, to check how i is. As soon as i works, i will update project docs. 

    What is changed (except MCU), if compare with dev board?

    • Control triac via capacitor, instead of make negative MCU power. More accessible and cheap components.
    • Changed step-down chip to LNK3204, because LCSC discontinued MP157.

    So, optocouple with snubber network was removed in more elegant way. The only limitation - have to use 10ma triacs. But that's ok for expected kinds of use.

  • New PCBs

    Vitaly06/28/2020 at 05:22 0 comments

    Without firmware yet, just nice pictures :)

    Changes were described in previous record about v2 schematics. I will post more details when everything works.

  • Firmware 1.1.0 released

    Vitaly04/29/2020 at 20:25 0 comments

    While not a big deal for users, this is a full code refactoring to simplify maintainability and upcoming changes. Now can recommend project as nice example of modern embedded software development :).

    From user's point of view - disabled integral part of PID by default. Everything else makes sense for developpers only.

    If you wish dive into details, see changelog: https://github.com/speedcontrols/ac_sc_grinder/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md.

  • Upcoming V2 schematic

    Vitaly03/27/2020 at 11:37 0 comments

    I decided to experiment with hardware. Some ideas are "just for fun", other should improve development convenience.

    From user's POV:

    • It would be convenient to upload firmware by USB, without STlink.
    • It would be nice to reduce components and allow more compact PCB-s for other devices.

    From developper's POV:

    • Need optional tachometer, for use grinder as lab stand.
    • Need some way to transfer measurements to PC.

    Here is temporary link to new schematic (draft), which should replace current one when complete: https://easyeda.com/speed/ac-speed-control-v2.

    What was changed:

    • Direct triac drive - no more optocoupler and snubber chain.
    • Use STM32F07x, with USB upload support. USB parts are still optional, if extra space savings required.
    • Use MP157 instead of LNK304 - more compart and cold.
    • Optional hall sensor (for lab stand). Will need magnetic label on shaft.
    • Optional nrf24l01 "nano" board for realtime wireless log transfer to PC. Will use RF-nano Arduino on another end, to observe data in terminal.
    • Other minor polish.

    Hope to do last checks on weekend and place PCB order then.

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Discussions

Paul McClay wrote 03/01/2024 at 01:27 point

just randomly discovered that this project is continued as #Brushed motor speed control with stable RPM  which isn't mentioned here

  Are you sure? yes | no

Vitaly wrote 03/01/2024 at 02:44 point

That's because the next iteration is incomplete and needs firmware debugging to make it work.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Paul McClay wrote 03/01/2024 at 07:20 point

Not offended by incompleteness of work in progress! Sorry if I've messed up planned communication.

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NdK wrote 09/13/2020 at 09:08 point

Great project. Could be a good item to sell on Tindie :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

Gerben wrote 07/23/2019 at 12:40 point

Your products works better than my real Dremmel at low speeds. Maybe I should upgrade my Dremel ;-)

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Saimon wrote 07/22/2019 at 20:03 point

Simple and cool! this should be on Tindie! 

  Are you sure? yes | no

Tom Nardi wrote 07/12/2019 at 17:37 point

Wow, love that it's a retrofit board.

  Are you sure? yes | no

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