Which controller and motors? Newbie advice please

[Nealieboyee]

I see Zapp Automation have a kit using the PM542 drives and Nema 23 motors for about £350. I couldn't find MD542 drives anywhere. Are they the same thing?

[Jonathan]

I see Zapp Automation have a kit using the PM542 drives and Nema 23 motors for about £350. I couldn't find MD542 drives anywhere. Are they the same thing?

Yes if you see M542 in the part number it's the same thing.

D.C. mentioned the motors from CNC4You, which are good however their drivers and PSUs are not the cheapest. There are plenty of eBay sellers with good prices for the drivers. For £350 you should be able to get four 3Nm motors, four 80V (e.g. DQ860MA) drivers and a suitable PSU. With a 600mm Y-axis you would be better off with two motors and leadscrews/ballscrews to prevent racking, or one motor and a long belt to link them.

[Nealieboyee]

Yes if you see M542 in the part number it's the same thing.

D.C. mentioned the motors from CNC4You, which are good however their drivers and PSUs are not the cheapest. There are plenty of eBay sellers with good prices for the drivers. For £350 you should be able to get four 3Nm motors, four 80V (e.g. DQ860MA) drivers and a suitable PSU. With a 600mm Y-axis you would be better off with two motors and leadscrews/ballscrews to prevent racking, or one motor and a long belt to link them.

Thank you John. Some good stuff there. Don't I need a breakout board too?

[Jonathan]

Don't I need a breakout board too?

Strictly speaking no, since the drivers are already opto-isolated the breakout board isn't required. However I would always advise getting one anyway as it just makes it generally easier to connect up everything safely, in particular the inputs.