Makerbase MKS SERVO57D RS485 Plug MB - NEMA 23 Driver

Description

The MKS SERVO57D RS485 Plug MB stepper motor driver from Makerbase is designed to control two-phase NEMA 23 stepper motors in closed-loop systems. The module uses a 32-bit N32L406 microcontroller with an ARM Cortex-M4 core, the FOC (Field-Oriented Control) vector control algorithm and a 14-bit magnetic encoder. The encoder measures the actual motor shaft position, allowing the controller to adjust motor operation based on position feedback. Closed-loop control reduces the risk of missed steps and improves motion smoothness. The driver is designed for CNC machines, robotics, automation, 3D printers and positioning mechanisms.

The MKS SERVO57D RS485 Plug MB operates at a supply voltage of 12 V to 24 V DC and supports adjustable motor current from 0 A to 5.2 A. The design incorporates AP30H80Q MOSFETs and the FOC algorithm for torque, speed and position control. The torque control loop operates at an update frequency of 20 kHz, while the speed and position control loops each operate at 10 kHz. According to the manufacturer, the maximum rotational speed exceeds 3000 rpm. The driver supports microstep subdivision from 1 to 256, with a default setting of 1/16 step. Control functions include relative and absolute positioning, speed regulation, acceleration and deceleration profiles, and motor stall protection.

The driver provides STEP/DIR pulse control inputs and an RS485 communication interface. The STP, DIR and EN signals are used for step commands, direction selection and motor enable control. The maximum pulse input frequency is 160 kHz. The control inputs feature optocoupler isolation and a common COM connection. RS485 communication enables driver configuration, operating parameter monitoring and motion control from a host controller. The interface supports data rates from 9600 to 256000 bit/s, addressing for up to 255 slave devices and a broadcast address. Multiple drivers can communicate over a shared RS485 bus. The module also provides IN1 and IN2 inputs for limit switches and OUT1 and OUT2 outputs for drive status indication.

The MKS SERVO57D RS485 Plug MB features multi-pin connectors for signal wiring. The kit includes two 50 cm, 8-pin PVC KF2510-8P cables with 24 AWG conductors. One end of each cable is stripped and tinned over a length of 5 mm, allowing connection to the terminals of a host controller. The motor windings connect to a four-position screw terminal labeled A+, A-, B+ and B-. The board also features a display and three buttons labeled Next, Enter and Menu for parameter configuration, motor calibration and diagnostics.

The driver PCB measures 52 x 52 mm and is designed for installation on the rear of a NEMA 23 stepper motor. Position measurement uses a 6 x 2.5 mm radial magnet mounted on the motor shaft and aligned with the magnetic sensor. The included aluminum housing and silicone thermal pad help dissipate heat from the power stage. The kit also contains four M3 x 13 mm hex socket head screws, three M2 x 4 mm Phillips head screws and an M3 Allen wrench. The kit does not include a stepper motor. Before operation, the power supply polarity, motor winding connections, signal connector pinout and magnet alignment relative to the encoder must be verified.

Features

• Technical specifications
  • Model: MKS SERVO57D RS485 Plug MB
  • Manufacturer: Makerbase
  • Device type: closed-loop stepper motor driver
  • Designed for: two-phase NEMA 23 stepper motors
  • Number of controlled motors: 1
  • Number of channels: 1
  • Microcontroller: N32L406
  • Microcontroller architecture: 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4
  • MOSFETs: AP30H80Q
  • Encoder: 14-bit magnetic encoder
  • Encoder resolution: 16384 positions per revolution
  • Supply voltage: 12 V to 24 V DC
  • Adjustable motor current range: 0 A to 5.2 A
  • Manufacturer-specified maximum rotational speed: over 3000 rpm
  • PCB dimensions: 52 x 52 mm
• Motor control
  • Control algorithm: FOC (Field-Oriented Control)
  • Closed-loop control with position feedback
  • Operating modes: open-loop, closed-loop, FOC and serial control
  • Torque, speed and position control
  • Torque control loop update frequency: 20 kHz
  • Speed control loop update frequency: 10 kHz
  • Position control loop update frequency: 10 kHz
  • Pulse control interface: STEP/DIR
  • Maximum input pulse frequency: 160 kHz
  • Configurable microstep subdivision: 1 to 256
  • Default microstep subdivision: 1/16
  • Relative and absolute position control
  • Acceleration and deceleration profile support
  • Motor current and operating parameter configuration
  • Motor calibration function
  • Motor stall protection
• Interfaces and communication
  • Communication interface: RS485
  • Communication protocol: Modbus RTU
  • RS485 communication speeds: 9600 to 256000 bit/s
  • Number of RS485 slave addresses: 255
  • Broadcast address support
  • Communication with multiple drivers over a shared RS485 bus
  • RS485 terminals: A, B
  • Pulse control inputs: STP, DIR, EN, COM
  • Optocoupler isolation of control inputs
  • Limit switch inputs: IN1, IN2
  • Signal outputs: OUT1, OUT2
  • Multi-pin connectors for signal wiring
  • Configuration support through MKS ServoD Control software
• Design and mounting
  • Designed for mounting on the rear of a NEMA 23 stepper motor
  • Motor winding screw terminals: A+, A-, B+, B-
  • Built-in display for configuration and diagnostics
  • Three control buttons: Next, Enter, Menu
  • Aluminum housing for improved heat dissipation
  • Silicone thermal pad
  • Position measurement using a radial magnet
  • Two 50 cm, 8-pin PVC KF2510-8P cables
  • Cable conductor size: 24 AWG
  • Cable ends stripped and tinned on one side over a length of 5 mm
  • Factory reset function

Kit Includes

• 1x Makerbase MKS SERVO57D RS485 Plug MB stepper motor driver
• 1x aluminum housing
• 1x silicone thermal pad
• 1x radial magnet, 6 x 2.5 mm
• 4x M3 x 13 mm hex socket head screw
• 3x M2 x 4 mm Phillips head screw
• 1x M3 Allen wrench
• 2x 8-pin PVC KF2510-8P cable, 50 cm, 24 AWG, with one end stripped and tinned over a length of 5 mm