A4988 Microstepping Driver for NEMA-17

The chopper driver every desktop 3D printer uses — microstep a NEMA-17 down to 1/16 of a step with two MCU pins.

Difficulty: Through-hole. Estimated build time: about 60 minutes. Estimated parts cost: about US$12.00. 5-part bill of materials with live supplier pricing. A bipolar stepper motor driver built around the Allegro A4988, the same chip on every red Pololu carrier board used in RepRap-class 3D printers, CNC pen plotters, and small XY-stage rigs.