Question 1

Is the board the same board ( ... large pad for heat sink) for "dir/step" mode as for "uart" mode?

Accepted Answer

Short answer... "no". 
I think the two offerings ("step/dir" and "UART") have to do with the way the TMC2208 is configured on the board. The TMC2208 chip can be wired to run in a non-UART configuration (like a drop in replacement for the 4988 or 8825 driver modules) in which you need no extra wiring.  This is often referred to as "stand alone" configuration. It is simple (just replace your current 4988 or 8825 driver modules with the "stand alone" version of the TMC2208 module), but doesn't give you the benefits available when the chip is wired in the UART mode. So I think the vendor offering of "step/dir" is likely the same as "stand alone" configuration. On the other hand, the "UART" offering of this vendor has the TMC2208 wired to take advantage of the UART features... ie, you can communicate to the TMC2208 (requires some software mods in, for example, your Marlin code on your 3D printer; also requires two extra wires from the driver module to your controller board, like your RAMPS board). Communicating via the UART lines to the TMC2208 lets you set mode (like spread cycle, stealth chop), set stepper currents (even as the print is in progress), monitor temperature wirings (again, on the fly while the print is taking place), etc. I purchased the "UART mode" offering from this vendor to take advantage of the advanced features. If you want those features, choose the UART version and check the web for the numerous articles on how to do the required hardware / software mods. If you just want a drop in replacement for the 4988 / 8825 drivers without the hassle of hardware/software mods, choose the step/dir offering.

Question 2

Great package,  i can't configure the single wire uart properly,  do you have more information?

Accepted Answer

You actually need two wires, both of which tie to the single UART pin on the module. One is the TX line, the other is RX. The TX line requires a 1K resistor between the UART pin and the connection to your controller board. Here is a good article on the mod... https://www.instructables.com/id/UART-This-Serial-Control-of-Stepper-Motors-With-th/

Question 3

What is the difference between TMC2209 v1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 3.1?

Accepted Answer

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Bigtreetech has released multiple versions of the TMC2209 stepper motor driver. While I don't have specific details about versions 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, and 3.1, I can provide you with general information about the TMC2209 driver and its features. Please note that there might be updates or changes beyond my knowledge cutoff.

The TMC2209 is a popular stepper motor driver based on the Trinamic Motion Control chipset. It is widely used in 3D printers and other CNC machines to control stepper motors accurately and quietly. Here are some of the general features and capabilities of the TMC2209 driver:

Silent operation: The TMC2209 offers silent stepper motor operation through a technology called stealthChop. It utilizes advanced control algorithms to minimize motor noise, making it suitable for noise-sensitive applications.

StallGuard4: The TMC2209 integrates StallGuard4, a feature that provides sensorless motor load detection. It allows the driver to detect motor stalls or excessive load conditions, enabling features such as sensorless homing and endstop detection.

SpreadCycle: SpreadCycle is another technology implemented in the TMC2209 driver. It optimizes the motor control and reduces resonance effects to improve motor performance.

MicroPlyer: MicroPlyer is a feature that enhances the driver's resolution by interpolating microsteps. It allows for smoother motor movement and can improve print quality in 3D printers.

UART interface: Some versions of the TMC2209 driver, such as the TMC2209 v3.0, feature a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) interface. This interface enables configuration and control of the driver through software commands, providing more advanced functionality and customization options.

While the specific differences between the different versions you mentioned may include improvements, bug fixes, or changes in hardware design, I don't have detailed information on each specific version beyond my knowledge cutoff. I recommend referring to the official documentation or contacting Bigtreetech directly for the most up-to-date and accurate information on the specific version you are interested in.

Question 4

do thy work for the flashforge creator pro 2016 version?

Accepted Answer

You'll need to Google that to see if your drivers in your machine are serial or not. These can be serial drivers. Uart, step/dir, or spi.... if you can't research this yourself I wouldn't attempt this swap as you'll end up letting the magic smoke out of something.

BIGTREETECH TMC2209 V1.3 Stepper Motor Driver with Heatsinks 5 Pack, Silent Stepsticks Drivers, UART/Step/DIR Mode, Replace A4988, for SKR 3/SKR V1.4 Turbo/Octopus V1.1/Octopus pro/Manta M4P/M5P/M8P

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