Replicator 2x getting too hot with silent stepper drivers I equipped my Makerbot Replicator 2x with silent stepper drivers TMC2100. According to the product page I reduced Vref from 127 (factory default) to 25 in the printer settings as well as in my start G-code.

With this I get horrible layer shifting (a few millimeters!), even if I reduce print- and travel-acceleration to 300. The layer shifting is mostly happening on the Y-axis, but also on X-axis. Not only layer shifting was happening, also the extruder-motors lost many steps.

To fight this problem I increased the Vref little by little. At around 70 for X and Y axis (and 50 for extruders) all layer shift- and extrusion problems were gone. Also I had to install a dedicated fan for the stepper drivers, because they got very hot. 

I was happy with this solution for about 10 minutes, then I noticed that the stepper motors are getting so hot I burned my fingertips by touching them. My guess for the motor temperature would be 80~90&nbsp;°C.

So my question is: Are those TMC2100 stepper driver unsuitable for my usecase somehow or am I missing something? Is there a way to get the 3D printer silent while not overheating?



On behalf of advice in the comments, I mounted some heat sinks and measured the temperature via an IR-thermometer. With the old original stepper drivers I get 60&nbsp;°C for the Y-axis and 66&nbsp;°C for the X-axis. With TMC2100 it is 86&nbsp;°C for both. (Each temperature measured at the heatsink)
Most Stepper drivers will have lots of energy passing through them so it is crucial to having a moderately sized heatsink to cool them off otherwise they will get too hot. Most stepper drivers found online come with heatsinks but you could search online for mini heatsinks.