CNC board vs professional boards

[fbots]

What is the difference in cnc boards like this one :
CNC TB6560AHQ 4 Axis 3.5A Stepper Motor Driver Board | eBay
and other professional boards?

[ssutton]

Well I can't say anything about that particular driver board, but I have used stepper motors for the past 18 years and I can say for sure that the G540 from Gecko is the best driver that I have ever used. The performance of a stepper motor is ALL about the drive behind it. This is one area that I would not compromise.

Scott

[fbots]

Thank you
What other boards have you used and what are the problems that comes if the driver os not good?

[doorknob]

Some people have had success with TB6560 boards, while some have had problems (and others have suggested fixes for those problems).

See http://www.cnczone.com/forums/genera...y_chinese.html

[zool]

You should take a hard look at Rocksliff controllers BUILD A CNC DIY ROCKCLIFF Home.

They are easy to set up because of the great instructions, and the adjustment for the amount of amperage is built right into the boards, plus I like the color red! I'd suggest buying a package from Nick; that is: the controller, the power supply and the motors, that way you are assured that the parts will all work together. Plus, as you will see from entries here on CNC Zone and on the Rockcliff forum, and from my experience with him, he is really a great guy and wants informed and happy customers. If I knew then what I know now, I'd be using Rockcliff controllers on my build.

Though I now have a Gecko G540 and along with the G540 I also purchased these: EZ-G540 - Set of 4

and this: G540 Heak Sink Kit

The EZ540's were easy to solder up and configure, and saved searching around for electronic parts.

I have a three-axis rack and pinion build, so used all four of the G540 controller outputs. I will buy another G540 when I add the rotary axis and the B-C head.

Also: Make sure the power supply you buy is sufficient for the motors you are going to use.

[ssutton]

Originally Posted by fbots Thank you What other boards have you used and what are the problems that comes if the driver os not good?

I have used many industrial drive boards from Parker, Anaheim automation and others. These drivers work but they tend to stall because they cannot get past the corner speed of most steppers. There is a danger zone that all steppers have when they are in the transition from being a current driven motor to a voltage driver motor. When a stepper is passing thru this area they can stall easily if the driver can not compensate for this mid-band instability.

Scott

[aarggh]

I have one of the Chinese TB6560's and while I managed to sort out the many, many construction design and noise issues with it, and got it working, it is by far inferior to the Gecko G540 I replaced it with.

The difference couldn't have been more amazing, speed, torque, noise all dramatically improved. I think Gecko's would be my first choice from now on. And if your using your machine more than a few hours a week the benefits are more than worth the investment.

I believe making do with an inferior setup is a false economy, it'll cost you more in power, time, reliability, and tooling in the end.

My 2c anyway!

Cheers,
Ian