If any of you guys/gals have any leads on new electronic package deals or parts via stepper motors etc...for the MKII please share with us. I know that the easycnc kit is recommended and is probably the one I will order but if any suggestions come to mind we would love to hear them, options we love options!!!


John

 

Probotix has individual stepper motor drivers for around $35 per stepper. Add a breakout board for $25 and a relay board for $30. From MPJA you can get the power supply for $25 and 3 steppers for $12.95 apiece and you have a complete electronic package for under $200.

The advantage of using this arrangement is if a stepper driver goes out, you're out $35 rather than having to buy an entire new controller board.

 

HobbyCNC board (if you like to solder ) 64.95 + s/h + MPJA 24v 10a 25.00 power supply + MPJA 3*12.95 Steppers(unipolar). I use the HCNC board with smaller steppers with fine results on my MKI. Total cost $128.95 + s/h - Get at least a 24v power supply with enough amps to supply full power to all steppers and you'll have fewer problems with speed, heat and torque. Watch MPJA for power supply specials.

 

I used the HobbyCNC 4-axis Eflybob mentioned for a different build and it works great. Like he mentioned you get a few bags of parts and a nice etched PCB and must solder it together yourself. It was worth saving $50 for me over another board and I had fun assembling it.

 

xtremeRCpilot,

I would agree with getting most of the stuff from MPJA: the Vexta pk266-02a stepper motors ($12.99) , 24V 6.5A power supply ($15), and parallel/video cables ($4-5). They have alot of other stuff, so make a list. For example, if you want limit switches or say a power cable for the power supply.

That's what I am going to use in my MK2. I just got my order in this week. I also got a second power supply 24V 12.5A ($25), but the 6.5A should be plenty of power. It's more watts than the orginal HP power supply, with is like 30V 3A. I just couldn't help myself, because it was so cheap.

The only real decision is the stepper driver. I don't need one, as I have the mechatronics easy-cnc board from the orginal MK1. I am still not sure how to pick one, other then from the reviews of others. But I would think one big factor is bipolar vs unipolar. The specs for the pk266-02a stepper saids the torque is 166oz-in bipolar and 127oz-in unipolar. If you don't know the difference between the two, the most basic non-tech distinction is bipolar uses 4 wires and unipolar uses 6.

-Kwok

 

gasmasher, I was looking over the specs on that HobbyNC board, and the fact that it has 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 step settings is very nice! Plus it has the breakout pins for limit switches built onto the board. The minor drawback is that it's unipolar, so the $13 Vexta motors will output 127 oz-in instead of 166 in bipolar mode. http://www.mpja.com/download/17748ms.pdf (ref PK-266-02A/B)
Still, that's 150% of the torque of the stock Easy-CNC steppers, in unipolar mode. Not Bad!

 

WOW !! Thanks alot guys I didnt expect such a response!! I really appreciate the info and was glad to hear of alternative components!! I am going to look at these products following this reply! I already feel like one of the gang!!! I will let you guys know what I use and will post pics of my build when I get this bad boy! :mrgreen:

Thanks
John