Avoid MK4/MM120 boards from SOC Robotics (modularCNC on ebay)

[bmil]

I purchased an MK4/MM120 board combo on eBay auction. I received it within a week, but when I connected it up to my power supply and steppers, all 3 of the drivers did not work, each in a different failure mode. The heat sinks are small and barely glued on, and when the driver chips heated up, one just fell off.
I'm an electronics technologist, and with my 'scope, I found huge spikes on the step and direction lines of the MM120s. Also, the MM120s are so small that it is hard to mount them using spacers, as the components are placed too close to the holes.
I quickly requested a refund from SOC Robotics, and they did refund my money. Don't waste your time on these boards- go with a Gecko or Xylotex board.

[dustin1706]

Thanks for the Heads up man!

[ee_t]

They do look interesting though: http://cgi.ebay.ca/MK4-3-MM120-2-5A-...-/230470641978

Appears to use the same power chip as the xylotex, which isn't the greatest.

What supply voltage were you running?

[bmil]

I was using a 27 volt 8A unregulated power supply i.e. 24 volts under full load

[crob09]

If you spend some time and read the "Technical Reference Manual" you will find information pertaining to this topic and how to eliminate it from happening.

Spend some time and read the literature before diving in head first.

I recently purchased three 106MM motor controllers and two each of the 102MM and 104MM with no problems at all and I am using them to operate two CNC machines, one mill and one lathe.

I offer good reviews.

[SotChrys]

I buy a MK5 with MM160 Read the manual but when I try to connect the stepper motor the TB6560 Burning,Destroy 2 of MM16
Any one for help ?

[crob09]

I doubt you read the instructions if your trying to connect that TB6560.
The MK4 is a breakout-board and a controller-board all in one, it is used with the MM160 to drive and control a stepper motor.
The MM160 is the stepper motor driver board.
The tb6560 I think is a controller-board.

All you need to run a three or four axis machine using your computer is the MK4 along with three or four MM160's. If you need more info visit.
What Is a CNC :: breakout board picture

[Marc N Fournier]

Apart my BBFH TB6560 based board I have a MK4c/MM160 from SOC Robotics.

The MK4 (4 axis), MK5 (5 Axis) are also from Soc Robotics. The newer release/revision is the c in MK4c

The issue is the same with many of the TB6560 based stepper drivers; not following the power up sequence as called out in the TB6560 specs. If they do not supply the "enable" and you are powering the logic from the same source as the stepper motors, you stand a chance of releasing the magic smoke from the TB6560. If you are power the logic from an external source and not the stepper motor power supply, DO NOT TURN THE LOGIC POWER ON LAST OR POWER OFF THE LOGIC FIRST. And make sure you have turned OFF the "Enable" lines.

Soc Robotics added the required resistors (R1, R2) to the current release MM160 in a redesign. These were optional before. These resistors present the "enable" line to the MM160/TB6560. The MK4c now also has the proper jumper and instructions to preent the "enable" line via jumper J4 on the MK4c. You must also assign output #4 for the, common to all axis, "enable" line.

The revised MK4c logic also requires a power supply of between 16 and 30 volts for the logic from an external source and not from the motor supply. The card can supply up to 24VDC for the outputs and that is why they went from 9VDC to the new value. Powering it from 9VDC, if it is a c revision card, can/will blow the TB6560 chips if the power to the motors is applied. The card will not function on 9VDC and the motor power >24VDC will fry the TB6560 (or two).

There are errors in the documentation and on the cards. I don't know about your card but mine also has the xyza limit/estop/grd connector inverted when compared to silk screen. I brought this to the attention of Soc Robotics.

So far the card works but I have not really played with it much as I am still farting around with my BBFH (Blue Board From Hell)

So which specific MK5 do you have ? Old or revised.

Marc N Fournier

[crob09]

Why over complicate things? If your planning to use the TB6560 all you need are motor driver boards.
You would be using the TB6560 in place of the MK4 or MK5.

Why not just use Mach3 on your home computer along with the MK4 and MM160's to run your desired machine?

To run any machine or device numerically from your computer; you need a breakout-board something as simple as a parallel connector, you also need a controller something like Arduino (check out the Arduino Mega), and you need driver boards for the motors.
The Parallel connector interfaces your PC to the device.
The controller acts as the brain.
The Drivers send electrical pulses to the motors

[Marc N Fournier]

soc-robotics.com

[crob09]

You may want to review things a little. TB6560 is not just a chip, it serves a few functions. The Arduino as I noted below has a chip just the same, it is the controller. Check out RAMP's from Rep-Rap, they control a three axis printer using the Arduino open-source board.

As for the power supply and the country that manufactured the MK4, it doesn't make any difference if you have a 220v outlet or 120V outlet, it is the power supply that matters. You need two of them, one for the driver boards the voltage and amperage needed depends on the motor you are using although you don't want to exceed 24v 3.5A ,so use Nema 17's or 23's.
You also need 7.5V to the MK4.

Yes the Representatives of SOC are great people to deal with and yes you can find all the datasheets for the products they sell on their website.

I say Keep things simple because the combination of the MK4 or MK5 with the MM160's will run any machine you like standing alone. You don't need anything other than the stepper motors and the computer to get things going.
Mach3 is free and very user friendly.

[Marc N Fournier]

soc-robotics.com