TLPBF Frame MoCo Montageanleitung
Frame MoCo
3 Axes Motion Controller
Hardware & Software Manual
Version: 1.3.2
Author: Hans Vollmer / Johannes Jäger
Date: July 2022
Forward
The intention behind the development of the Frame MoCo was to offer a cost-effective
alternative to expensive motion controller systems. The Frame MoCo can control up to 3
stepper motors individually and is therefore well prepared for applications such as motion
timelapse, panorama shots, gigapixel, 360° and other applications.
The control via a smatphone / tablet app offers optimal operation.
More details about the app can be found in the software section of this manual.
Features
3 Axes Motion Timelapse Motor Controller
Control of the Frame MoCo via Smartphone / Tablet APP (Android)
Modes:
•Motion Timelapse
•Gigapixel
•360° Panorama
•Star Tracker
•Focus Stacking
•Video
•Dragon Frame
Powered by DC 12-24V and USB-C (QC3.0 / PD)
Easy setup for a variety of stepper motors
Compact dimensions
Controller firmware update via smartphone / tablet APP
2 camera ports
Slave mode for control with external timer
Hardware
The heart of the Fame MoCo is a powerful ESP32 controller with integrated Bluetooth and
WLAN. The stepper motors are controlled with a Silent Step Stick (TMC 2209), which ensures
silent operation, maximum efficiency, and best motor torque. The motor outputs are
protected against induction voltages with protective diodes.
The status of the Frame MoCo is indicated by 4 LEDs on the front.
The compact dimensions of the Frame MoCo make it ideally suited for mobile use.
Power supply
Optimized for mobile use, the Frame MoCo is powered by a power bank.
At the back of the MoCo is a DC jack (5.5 x 2.1mm) for direct connection to a powerbank with
DC connector (12-24V). At the front side of the MoCo is a USB-C socket
for connecting the MoCo to a USB-A beech with QC3.0 or a USB-C beech with PD. When the
MoCo is connected to a powerbank via USB, it starts to communicate with the powerbank,
with the LED next to the USB port flashing slowly. As soon as the powerbank is able to supply
the required voltage of 12V, the LED lights up permanently and the MoCo is supplied with 12V
from the powerbank.
If the powerbank is not able to set the voltage, the LED will blink fast. In this case the
powerbank or the USB port is not QC3.0 or PD compatible.
For indoor use, the Frame MoCo can also be charged via USB with a USB charger which is
which has QC3.0 or PD.
The right powerbank
Powerbanks are offered in different variants. Not all of them that are also offered with a fast-
charging function fulfill the QC3.0 standard or have PD (Power Delivery). However, QC3.0 or
PD is required for a PB to be used with the Frame MoCo. Some PBs also have a DC port with
voltages of up to
up to 24V. For running the MoCo with 3 motors, a PB with 15,000mAh is quite sufficient for
several hours of use. For longer TL or StartTracker recordings, it may well be necessary to also
supply the camera via the powerbank, e.g. with the QCCP stick. Especially for night shots, a
lens heater is also needed. A PB with 25,000mAh is recommended for such an application.
Powerbanks are primarily designed for charging smartphones and tablets. Thus, they also
switch off as soon as the current drawn falls below a certain value (charging finished).
However, the Frame MoCo ensures that the PB does not switch off even at low current
(motors off).
The left powerbank is equipped with USB-A QC3.0 and USB-C PD ports. The right PB also has
a DC output.
Stepper motors and connection
For the connection of the 3 stepper motors there are 3 JST XH2.54 sockets on the back of the
Frame MoCo.
For the connection to the motors, cables with 4-pin XH2.54 connector to 6-pin JST connector
can be used, which are offered at a reasonable price for 3D printers.
For the cables, make sure that the connection between the two connectors is made 1:1.
Stepper motors with a coil resistance (resistance/phase) of 2-4 Ohm are best suited. For these,
a supply voltage of 12V is sufficient. If motors with a higher coil resistance are used, a higher
supply voltage is required.
For this, the Frame MoCo must be supplied via the DC input (12-24V).
Camera connection
The connection of up to 2 cameras is done via 2.5mm TRS jacks. The release cable used for the
camera must be equipped with a 2.5mm plug.
The right socket is the connection for the
camera. A 2nd camera can be connected to the
left socket or, if necessary, a timer for control if
the 2nd port is set as a slave.
MoCo mounting
A maximum of 5 cables are connected to the Frame MoCo. A simple and well-thought-out
mounting concept allows the Frame MoCo to be attached to any Arca Swiss compatible
profile. This results in the shortest possible connections to the pan and tilt motors, as well as
to the camera.
To do this, the supplied mount adapter is
pressed into the two upper recesses in the
housing with a little pressure.
Depending on the application, the Frame MoCo is attached to an available Arca Swiss profile
by simply sliding it on.
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Technical data
Power supply DC: 12-24V DC socket 5,5x2,1 mm
Power supply USB: DC 12V (will be set automatically)
Current approx. 80mA (without motors)
Motor current 1.2A (per motor)
Motor type Bipolar Stepper Motors
Dimensions 105 x 75 x 36mm (L/W/H)
Weight 125g
Software
The controller is operated via a smartphone application (Android). The connection is
established via Bluetooth. The app is used to configure and monitor the various modes. The
The controller continues to run independently even without a smartphone connection. The
app can be installed via the Google Play Store.
The name of the app is: Frame MoCo
Establishing a connection
Before the app can be used, the Frame MoCo must be paired in the Bluetooth settings of the
smartphone. To do this, search for an entry in the Bluetooth menu (Settings -> Connections -
> Bluetooth) that begins with FrameMoCo and pair it with the smartphone/tablet by pressing
and holding it. After the controller has been paired, the connection is possible in the app. To
do this, open the app and select the previously paired controller from the list.
The connection to the controller is now established, the last connected controller is saved
internally, and the connection is automatically restored the next time the app is opened.
Main menu
After connecting to the controller, the main menu is displayed. On the left side
is the selection for deactivated motors and on the right side for activated
motors. In the upper area the name of the controller, the current version and
the power supply is displayed. If the version is colored red, the firmware
version of the controller is not identical with the app. Please perform a
firmware update, see section "Update Motion Controller".
The main menu offers the following options:
1. motor settings: Here the parameters of the motors can be set. This item is only
possible if the motors are deactivated.
2. jog mode: Here the motors can be moved freely.
3. motor activate / deactivate: Hereby the motors can be activated / deactivated by a
long press. This also enables the individual modes.
4. timelapse: Hereby timelapse recordings can be configured and executed.
5. giga pixel: This is used to configure Giga Pixel recordings.
6. 360° Panorama: Allows you to configure 360° images.
7. star tracker: Allows you to correct star trails.
8. focus stacking: allows you to configure focus stacking images.
9. video: for recording videos
10. dragonframe: With this, the controller can be switched to dragonframe support.
By pressing the 3 dots in the upper right corner, you enter the menu for configuring the
MoCo
Settings: Here settings for the controller can be defined
and the firmware can be updated.
Motor Types: New motor types can be created here.
Disconnect: Here the connection to the controller can
be disconnected.
Settings
The following changes can be made in the settings.
Rename controller: The name must be between 3
and 20 characters long. After the
change, the controller must be restarted.
Change theme: There is a light and a dark theme,
the change is directly active.
QC Guardian: This can be used to change the
trigger for the PowerBank to permanent.
Focus Delay: This sets the delay how long the
focus signal must be active before the trigger
signal. In most cases this can be left at 0 ms.
Test Camera Trigger 1 & 2: Here you can test the
two camera ports. The trigger signal is present for
125 ms.
Restart: Press and hold this button to restart the
controller without disconnecting the power
supply.
Firmware update: This point is described in the
next section.
Update Motion Controller
The firmware of the controller can be updated with the app. To do this, the controller's
WLAN access point must first be activated by clicking the corresponding button.
Then connect to the WLAN network "FrameMoCo-Firmware" in the WLAN settings of the
smartphone. It may happen that the smartphone displays a message that this network has
no connection to the Internet. This can be ignored. With newer smartphones, it is also
recommended to deactivate the mobile data during the update.
After the connection has been established, the button (Update Controller) can be selected in
the app, after which it takes 1-2 minutes and the new firmware is installed. This is indicated
by a status display. The current status can also be seen in the notification bar. The controller
then restarts.
Motor settings
Numerous profiles for different motors and
applications are already stored in the MoCo app. A
distinction is made between applications for slider
(linear) and pan / tilt (rotation).
A long press on the icon of the motor M1-M3 opens
a window (Select Motor Type).
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