
Mechanical Specifications
Quick Reference
MDrive®14 Step / Direction Input
Notes and Warnings
Installation, configuration and maintenance must be carried out by qualified
technicians only.
• Unexpected dangers may be encountered when working with this product!
• Incorrect use may destroy this product and connected components!
• The drives are not protected from reverse polarity power connection!
Detailed information on installation can be found in the user manuals. The user
manuals are available for download from: https://novantaims.com/dloads/
Required for Setup*
• IBM compatible PC running Microsoft®Windows 7 or higher with available
USB port.
• Monitor with a minimum of 1024 x 768 resolution.
• SPI Motor Interface (available online).
• +12 to +48 VDC linear or switching power supply.
• 0 to 5 MHz clock signal for step clock, may be a controller high speed output
or signal generator.
• SPST switch or controller I/O point to control axis direction.
• SPI communications interface (e.g., MD-CC305-001 communication
converter).
Depending on the MDrive connectors configuration, the following may be
required:
• I/O, Power and Communications interface to 12-pin wire crimp connector
(e.g., PD12-1434-FL3 prototype development cable).
* If the MDrive is purchased with a QuickStart Kit, all the connecting cables
needed for initial functional setup and system testing are included.
Getting Started
All documentation, software, and resources are available online at:
https://novantaims.com/
Connecting Power and I/O
The MDrive is configured with power and I/O combined on a single connector.
Refer to “Step / Direction Input Connectivity Options” on page 2 for connect-
ing details and available connectivity options, including prototype development
cables and mating connector kits.
Connecting Communications
1. Connect the USB of the SPI communications converter to the PC.
2. Connect the 12-pin connector of the SPI communications converter to the
MDrive.
3. Install the communication converter drivers (available online) onto the PC.
4. Install and open the SPI Motor Interface.
5. Apply power to the MDrive.
6. Parameters may be adjusted via two screens, the Motor Settings screen or
the I/O Settings screen (shown below), accessible via the View menu.
Motor Settings Screen
I/O Settings Screen
General Specifications
Electrical Specifications
Input Voltage (+V) Range* +12 to +48 VDC
Max Power Supply Current (Per unit)* 1 A
*Actual Power Supply Current will depend on voltage and load.
Environmental Specifications
Operating Temperature
(non-condensing)
Heat Sink -40°C to +85°C
Motor -40°C to +100°C
IP Rated Sealing IP20
Isolated Input Specifications
Step Clock, Direction and Enable Universal Differential
Voltage Range (Sinking or Sourcing) +5 to +24 VDC 0 to +5VDC
Input High Level Voltage — 3.75 to 5.75 VDC
Input Low Level Voltage — ≤1.2 VDC
Current (+5V Max) 8.7 mA 11.7 mA
Current (+24V Max) 14.6 mA —
Motion Specifications
Digital Filter Range 50 nS to 12.9 µS (10 MHz to 38.8 kHz)
Clock Types Step/Direction, Up/Down, Quadrature
Step Frequency (Max) 5 MHz
Step Frequency Minimum Pulse Width 100 nS
Number of Microstep Resolution Settings 20
Available Microsteps Per Revolution
per step 1 2 4 5 8
per rev. 200 400 800 1000 1600
per step 10 16 25 32 50
per rev. 2000 3200 5000 6400 10000
per step 64 100 125 128 200
per rev. 12800 20000 25000 25600 40000
per step 250 256 180 108 127
per rev. 50000 51200 360001216002254003
1=0.01 deg/µstep 2=1 arc minute/µstep 3=0.001 mm/µstep
Setup Parameters
Setup Parameters
Name Function Range Units Default
MHC Motor Hold Current 0 to 100 Percent 5
MRC Motor Run Current 1 to 100 Percent 25
MSEL Microstep Resolution See Motion
Specifications
µsteps/
Full Step 256
DIR Motor Direction Override 0/1 — CW
HCDT Hold Current Delay Time 0 or 2 - 65535 mSec 500
CLK TYPE Clock Type See Motion
Specifications —Step/
Direction
CLK IOF Clock Input Filter 50 nS to 12.9 µS
(10 MHz to 38.8 kHz) nS (MHz) 200 nS
(2.5MHz)
EN ACT Enable Active High/Low High/Low — High
USER ID User ID 3 Characters
Viewable ASCII
Viewable
ASCII IMS
Opto
Step
Dir
+V
Pwr Gnd
Opto
Step
Dir
+V
Pwr Gnd
I/O Power
GND
Step Out
Dir. Out
GND
Step Out
Dir. Out
Power Supply
Logic Supply
+
+
Controller
MDrive
Power Supply
Logic Supply
+
+
Controller
MDrive
Sinking ConfigurationSourcing Configuration
Minimum Required Connections
P1
2.05
(52.07)
1.11
(28.19)
0.177 ±0.002
(4.50 ±0.05)
0.10
(2.54)
0.94 ±0.02
(24.0 ±0.5)
0.59 ±0.02
(15.0 ±0.5)
0.17
(4.32)
Control
Knob
1.337
(33.97)
0.079 ±0.01
(2.0 ±0.25)
Ø 0.866 +0/-0.002
(Ø 22.0 +0/-0.051)
Ø 0.197 +0/-0.0005
(Ø 5.00 +0/-0.012) 1.4 ±0.004 SQ.
(35.55 ±0.1 SQ.)
4X M3x0.5 THREAD
x0.138 DEEP
1.82
(46.19)
1.024 SQ.
(26.0 SQ.)
P2
LMAX1
LMAX2
MDrive 14 Microstepping Quick Reference - Revision D 01/05/2022All documentation, software, program examples and resources are available online at:
https://novantaims.com/
NOTE:For linear actuator products, see manual for screw specifications.
Dimensions in inches (mm)
Motor Length LMAX1 (Single Shaft or
Internal Encoder)
LMAX2
(Control Knob)
Single 1.93 (49.02) 2.62 (66.55)
Triple 3.03 (76.96) 3.73 (94.74)