Stepper motors

[macross]

Hello all, i'm in the process of gathering materials for my small cnc machine, which will be used for milling PCB'S. It's now time to buy stepper motors and a controller so i need to match those two up so i don't burn up anything.

Stepper motors:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-Nema17-for-1-7A-3400g-cm-40mm-length-4-Lead-2-phase-Wantai-Stepper-Motor-/170796197566?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item27c43f26be

3axis stepper motor controller:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TB6560-CNC-3-Axis-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Controller-Board-/251172702671?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item3a7b0f49cf

Would this setup work?

[somlioy]

Many people've had a problem with that controller.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electronics_discussion/110986-how_i_fixed_my_chinese_tb6560_controller_updated.html

[macross]

Many people've had a problem with that controller.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electronics_discussion/110986-how_i_fixed_my_chinese_tb6560_controller_updated.html

Hmm there are two boards with the same chip one is red which i linked to and another is in blue. Looks like they are talking about this board: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Controller-Board-/190680714045?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item2c6574cb3d

Can't find more info if the red board is affected with the same issue.

[nessatse]

I think you will find those steppers will be a little underpowered.  Rather spend a little more and get NEMA23 sized motors, 1Nm or higher

[SparkeyinVA]

I looked over the specs.  The Motor is 1.7A and the Driver has a 1.2A and 1.8A setting.  So it should work.

Make sure you voltage is correct.  The 24 to 36V available with the driver will give you good performance.  Just make sure you set up the drive correct.  Read the directions.

Here are two white papers I wrote some time back. 
Stepper motors
http://mdfly.com/Download/testmotor.pdf

Electronics (Drivers & Controllers)
http://www.designworldonline.com/Troubleshooting-step-motors-part-2/

I am currently working on getting a web site up, until then I have to point you to third party's that have hosed my stuff.  Sorry.  Hope this helps.

[macross]

I looked over the specs.  The Motor is 1.7A and the Driver has a 1.2A and 1.8A setting.  So it should work.

Make sure you voltage is correct.  The 24 to 36V available with the driver will give you good performance.  Just make sure you set up the drive correct.  Read the directions.

Here are two white papers I wrote some time back. 
Stepper motors
http://mdfly.com/Download/testmotor.pdf

Electronics (Drivers & Controllers)
http://www.designworldonline.com/Troubleshooting-step-motors-part-2/

I am currently working on getting a web site up, until then I have to point you to third party's that have hosed my stuff.  Sorry.  Hope this helps.

Thanks!

I think you will find those steppers will be a little underpowered.  Rather spend a little more and get NEMA23 sized motors, 1Nm or higher

Alright then how about these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-PCS-NEMA-23-CNC-Step-Stepping-Stepper-Motor-76mm-3-0A-255oz-in-Bipolar-/121040299868?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2e90675c

I will build my cnc similar to this one:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-Build-Desk-Top-3-Axis-CNC-Milling-Machine/

Max workable area is going to be about 20cmx17cm so with those stepper motors how big can i go?

[GeoffS]

I think you will find those steppers will be a little underpowered.  Rather spend a little more and get NEMA23 sized motors, 1Nm or higher

Alright then how about these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-PCS-NEMA-23-CNC-Step-Stepping-Stepper-Motor-76mm-3-0A-255oz-in-Bipolar-/121040299868?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2e90675c

I will build my cnc similar to this one:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-Build-Desk-Top-3-Axis-CNC-Milling-Machine/

Max workable area is going to be about 20cmx17cm so with those stepper motors how big can i go?

I built one of those desktop CNC's a  couple of years ago. Worked OK with the NEMA 17. For anything bigger the NEMA 23 will be needed. Specs on those motors look OK.
For a controller, consider the Gecko G540, more expensive but well worth the money if you're serious about CNC

[Iano]

Many people've had a problem with that controller.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electronics_discussion/110986-how_i_fixed_my_chinese_tb6560_controller_updated.html

Hmm there are two boards with the same chip one is red which i linked to and another is in blue. Looks like they are talking about this board: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Controller-Board-/190680714045?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item2c6574cb3d

Can't find more info if the red board is affected with the same issue.

From what I have seen and understand, the red and blue boards are basically the same.  The circuits and their small annoyances are also likely the same.  They are great boards for getting anyone started in CNC (and I would still recommend them for those on a budget because they ARE way cheap as a package with motors and 25V power), but they are not perhaps suitable for professional quality workshops needing absolute accuracy and reliability.   

Some of the internet circulated fears are potentially a bit overblown.  Even though the board's circuit is arguably a little wacky and does not do the quality of the Toshiba TB6560 chip justice, they still "mostly work well".

I have two of the blue boards (3 axis and 4 axis) from Ebay on my homemade CNC machines with Nema 17 and Nema 23 stepper motors respectively.  They have worked reasonably well for me for the last couple of years. 

They have small annoyances in the circuit that can cause motor noise and occasional missed steps.  Usually not too much of a worry for most hobbyists creating parts, etc.  My accuracy with these boards is all least within approx 0.5mm which is good enough as far as I am concerned. 

I use an external cooling fan in my control panel to blow on the heat sinks just in case the chip frying stories are true, but so far all the TB6560's have been warm to touch but have not fried.

I would stay with 25V as some of the problems seem to start with higher voltages??

Also, if you decide to go this avenue,  I just found a great resource on another thread for fixing this board if you end up having problems and accuracy isn't good enough for your needs.

http://www.homediystuff.com/fixing-a-chinese-made-cnc-stepper-motor-driver-board-tb6560-chips/

It includes a good simple explanation as well as excellent diagrams and closeup pics of what to do.  Very helpful in general for owners of this board.

I hope this helps.