Makerbase MKS SERVO57D BUS MB - NEMA 23 Motor Driver

Description

The MKS SERVO57D BUS 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 monitors the actual motor shaft position, enabling the detection of deviations from the target position and correction of motor operation. Closed-loop control reduces the risk of missed steps and enables precise motion in robotics, CNC machines, positioning mechanisms and automation systems.

The MKS SERVO57D BUS 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 FOC control algorithm enables torque, speed and position regulation using encoder feedback. According to the manufacturer, the torque, speed and position control loops operate at an update frequency of 20 kHz, while 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 also include acceleration and deceleration profiles, movement to a target position and motor stall protection.

Communication with the host controller is provided through RS485 and CAN interfaces, accessible via the board's bus connectors. The RS485 interface supports communication speeds from 9600 to 256000 bit/s and addressing for up to 255 slave devices. The CAN bus supports communication speeds of 125 kb/s, 250 kb/s and 500 kb/s, with addressing for up to 2047 slave devices. The driver supports broadcast addressing and communication with multiple drives over a single network. The SW1 DIP switch allows selection between RS485 and CAN communication modes. The remaining two switches configure the input circuit power supply and voltage level. Bus-based control enables the development of multi-axis motion systems without requiring separate STEP/DIR signal connections to each drive.

The module features IN1 and IN2 inputs for limit switch signals and OUT1 and OUT2 outputs for drive status indication. The board includes a display and three buttons labeled Next, Enter and Menu, allowing parameter configuration and access to diagnostic functions. The driver supports motor calibration, operating parameter monitoring, factory reset and configuration via the communication bus. Rotor position is measured by a magnetic encoder working with a magnet mounted on the motor shaft. Before operation, the appropriate communication mode and driver address must be configured, followed by motor calibration.

The MKS SERVO57D BUS MB board is designed for installation on the rear of a NEMA 23 stepper motor. A four-position screw terminal connects the motor windings to terminals A+, A-, B+ and B-, while multi-pin connectors provide access to the power supply, input and output signals, and RS485 and CAN communication lines. The included aluminum housing and silicone thermal pad help dissipate heat from the electronics. The kit also includes a 6 x 2.5 mm radial magnet, four M3 x 13 mm hex socket head screws, three M2 x 4 mm Phillips head screws, an M3 Allen wrench, an XH2.54-2P power cable and a PHD2.0 2x2P bus communication cable. The kit does not include a stepper motor. Installation requires correct magnet alignment relative to the encoder, as well as verification of the motor winding connections, power supply polarity and bus configuration.

Features

• Technical specifications
  • Model: MKS SERVO57D BUS 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
  • Encoder: 14-bit magnetic encoder
  • Encoder resolution: 16384 positions per revolution
  • Supply voltage: 12 V to 24 V DC
  • Motor operating current range: 0 A to 5.2 A
  • Manufacturer-specified maximum rotational speed: over 3000 rpm
• Motor control
  • Control algorithm: FOC (Field-Oriented Control)
  • Closed-loop control with position feedback
  • Torque, speed and position control
  • Torque control loop update frequency: 20 kHz
  • Speed control loop update frequency: 20 kHz
  • Position control loop update frequency: 20 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 motion parameter configuration
  • Motor stall protection
• Interfaces and communication
  • RS485 communication interface
  • CAN communication interface
  • Communication mode selection using the SW1 DIP switch
  • RS485 communication speeds: 9600 to 256000 bit/s
  • Number of RS485 slave addresses: 255
  • CAN communication speeds: 125 kb/s, 250 kb/s, 500 kb/s
  • Number of CAN slave addresses: 2047
  • Broadcast address support
  • Communication with multiple drivers over a single bus
  • RS485 terminals: A, B
  • CAN terminals: CAN-H, CAN-L
  • Signal inputs: IN1, IN2
  • Signal outputs: OUT1, OUT2
  • Input circuit power supply configuration using DIP switches
• Design and configuration
  • Designed for mounting on the rear of a NEMA 23 stepper motor
  • Motor winding terminals: A+, A-, B+, B-
  • RS485 and CAN bus connectors
  • Built-in display for configuration and diagnostics
  • Three control buttons: Next, Enter, Menu
  • Three-position SW1 DIP switch
  • Aluminum housing for improved heat dissipation
  • Silicone thermal pad
  • Position measurement using a radial magnet
  • Motor calibration function
  • Factory reset function

Kit Includes

• 1x Makerbase MKS SERVO57D BUS 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
• 1x XH2.54-2P power cable
• 1x PHD2.0 2x2P RS485/CAN communication cable