eBay TB6560 Stepper Motor Driver Boards

[1113562]

I don't really understand this as the actual Toshiba TB6560 chips have an absolute max VmA and VmB voltage rating of 40 volts and the operating rage is up to 34 V. Since it was the chip that blew and not something else on the board then I can see it was a pure over voltage problem providing your PSU was putting out less than 40V but preferrably less than 34 V. The Chinese data sheet for the whole circuit board states a voltage range of 16 to 24V for NEMA 23 spec steppers and 24 to 36V for NEMA 34 steppers. I don't really understand why there is a difference in voltage stated for NEMA 23 and 34 providing the current limit DIP switches are set so as not to exceed the particular Stepper motor current per phase for your wiring configuration (series or parallel). The power supply voltage selected just defines how quick the current limit value is reached for each pulse as it is driving an inductive load.

The when the current pulse is turned off the inductance of the winding tries to maintain current flow so generates a large reverse voltage. The protection diodes are there to clip this reverse voltage and absorb the current from the motor in discharging the winding inductance.

The larger your winding inductance the slower it will be before the current limit is reached when applying a pulse causing reduced speed and torque and also causes a bigger turn off reverse current as the inductance stores energy.

A good fast stepper will have low inductance and series resistance.

What is you stepper motor specifications Resistance, Current rating and Inductance in the wiring configuration you are using?

[Gary]

There is a posibility that the chips are not actually Toshiba, but cheap copies?
This is quite common in china.

[1113562]

There is a posibility that the chips are not actually Toshiba, but cheap copies?
This is quite common in china.

The board I have seems to have the genuine Toshiba AHQ spec chips fitted. Either that or they have gone to a lot of trouble forging the TOSHIBA markings and logo.

[Gary]

Printing the toshiba logo on the chip is the easy part.
Fake IC's in china have been going on for years, they even copy memory chips, and brand them so they can sell them for more.
These fake chips have even made it into branded TV's and computer equipment.

The board I have seems to have the genuine Toshiba AHQ spec chips fitted. Either that or they have gone to a lot of trouble forging the TOSHIBA markings and logo.

[1113562]

Printing the toshiba logo on the chip is the easy part.
Fake IC's in china have been going on for years, they even copy memory chips, and brand them so they can sell them for more.
These fake chips have even made it into branded TV's and computer equipment.

Gary, I think you are getting a bit carried away here. I can't see that there is enough world market sales in specialist stepper motor driver chips like the TB6560 to make it worth there while doing a replica. Faking memory chips and consumer IC's as you identify maybe.

Anyway my Chinese driver with TB6560's works fine. The only criticism is the slightly inadequate heat sink and fan assembly but thats quite easy to upgrade and will only bother those working at full power for long periods.

[cleansurf2]

Another Newbie,

I am looking at using this board as a hotwire cutter for RC aircraft wings (4 Axis).

1. Does this board need any other driver boards ? (i.e. Direct connect computer to printer port, stepper motors direct connect).

2. Is there an updated manual with correct pinouts as you guys have discovered ?

Much appreciate any advice.
Rick

[1113562]

Another Newbie,

I am looking at using this board as a hotwire cutter for RC aircraft wings (4 Axis).

1. Does this board need any other driver boards ? (i.e. Direct connect computer to printer port, stepper motors direct connect).

The driver board needs no other parts other than a DC Power Supply. Mine came with a Parallel port cable to connect to the PC printer port and came with the connectors for the stepper motors which allow you to connect directly (they have screw terminals in the connectors - quite neat). The DC Power supply to drive the board and steppers needs to be of the correct voltage and current rating. I have a FARNELL B30/10 PSU which is variable 0-30V with a current output of 10 Amps max continuous ..... ideal for this board. If you have to wire in HOME/Estop and End Stop safety switches you will need to seperately purchase a small header socket and crimps to fit the tiny 2 mm pitch PCB header for these interfaces. These are available from RS - I can advise part numbers assuming it is the same as my board.

2. Is there an updated manual with correct pinouts as you guys have discovered ?

The board I have is a 3 Axis plus spindle start/stop relay but I believe there is a 4 axis version. The manual for the 4 axis may be correct for pin-out and DIP switch settings.

As you may have read, the silk screen notation on the printed circuit board is correct so if your manual that comes with the board does not line up with the PCB artwork then you should ask questions (on this forum perhaps) before you connect and power up.

John