PCB design for stepper motor

Robotics and electronics discussion Electronics
1

Hi,

I’ve been using the 8825 driver carrier, and now I’d like to design a custom PCB that incorporates the 8825. Where I’m lost, since I’ve never designed a PCB before, is on how you route the power from the 8825 to the motor. It tops out at 2A, and from everything I’ve been able to find online, that will require some really wide track widths. What thickness does a board like the DRV8825 carrier use to transmit such high power?

And I’m assuming when you pick a thickness it must apply to the entire layer, right? Is it a huge taboo to have a thick layer to support 2A on 4 traces and the rest doesn’t need anywhere close to that?

I’m obviously in a bit over my head, but I’m hoping I can learn enough to make it happen. Thanks for the help!
Seth

2

Hi, Seth.

You should try to make the power traces as wide as you can (you might want to use polygons) and use 2 oz copper. You are right that your whole layer needs the same thickness of copper, but there should not be any issues routing signal traces in 2 oz copper.

-Claire