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Model PMDX-133

3-Axis Daisy-Chainable Motherboard for
Geckodrive G201X, G203V, G210X and G213V
Stepper Motor Drivers

The PMDX-133 is a legacy product that is no longer in production and no stock is available. Repairs are still offered and rebuilt units may be offered to existing customers needing to support old machines. The PMDX-134 is still available and is a suitable replacement for the PMDX-133 to support 2 or 3 Gecko drivers when there is room for the longer PMDX-134 board. A PMDX-134 cannot be used to replace a PMDX-133 when implementing 5 or 6 motor systems.

 

PMDX-133 Passive Motherboard Combo for Gecko Stepper Drivers

 

Top image shows a complete 6 axis setup containing two PMDX-133 boards set up with typical installation using a PMDX-126, ribbon cables, and 6 Gecko G203V drivers.

 Click on image for larger view

 

 

 

Edge view of the PMDX-133

This image is a top view showing Geckodrive G203V drivers installed under a PMDX-133.

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Edge view of the PMDX-133

This image is an edge view showing Geckodrive G203V drivers installed under a PMDX-133.

Click on image for larger view

 

 

 

Edge view of the PMDX-133

This image shows the bare PMDX-133 as delivered.

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The PMDX-133 is a mother board for interfacing Gecko stepper drivers with CNC controls. 

Features of the PMDX-133

  • A single board is great for a 2 or 3 axis system.
  • Two boards can be daisy chained for up to 6 axes from a PMDX-126 connected to two parallel ports or a SmoothStepper which allows enough signals to run 6 axes along with spindle control and other output functions.
  • Two boards can be daisy chained for up to 6 axes from a single parallel port if the control signal outputs (pins 1, 14, 16, and 17) are assigned as step and direction signals. 
  • Each PMDX-133 mates directly with up to 3 each G201X or 3 each G203V Gecko drivers by plugging onto terminal strip pins of the drives.
    NOTE: The PMDX-133 does NOT support mixing G201X and G203V drivers on the same PMDX-133 board.
  • Future Gecko stepper drivers that use Ground as COM (common) for Step and Direction may also be compatible.
  • Simplifies system wiring and makes most connections pluggable.
  • Allows unobstructed access to Gecko adjustment potentiometers and DIP switches
  • Includes 2 standoffs for mounting the PMDX-133 at the correct height
  • Does NOT support the G320 and G340 servo drivers or older G201, G202, G210, and G212 stepper motor drivers.
  • Can connect to PMDX-125 or PMDX-126 using a PMDX-HDR26Ribbon or a PMDX-HDR26Ribbon-18 cable.
  • Can connect to other breakout boards with compatible parallel port ribbon header connectors.
  • Can connect to the SmoothStepper or other pulse generators with parallel port style ribbon header connectors.
  • Can connect directly to a PC parallel port using PMDX-DB25Ribbon and PMDX-DB25MtoM cables (the parallel port must be in EPP or ECP mode to support the 5th and 6th axes driven directly without a breakout board)
  • Motor connections are made by re-using the pluggable terminal strips supplied with the Gecko drivers.

Breakout board feature comparison table

** Geckodrive, Inc. the maker of the Gecko stepper motor drives is a separate company from PMDX and is not responsible for the statements made on this web site or in other PMDX documents.

Note: The step and direction signals used to run this board as a real time CNC device require precise timing. These signals are normally provided by a personal computer motherboard with an onboard parallel port, a parallel port interface card plugged into a motherboard with ISA, PCI, or PCI-Express slots, or by an external device such as the PMDX-410, PMDX-411 or PMDX-422 with Mach4, or the SmoothStepper. You cannot use a USB to printer adapter because it will alter critical timing of CNC control signals. Laptop computers, even those with parallel port interfaces, are not recommended as CNC control computers due to design features that can alter critical timing. If you must use a laptop be prepared to deal with these design issues and/or plan on using an external pulse generating device such as the PMDX-410, PMDX-411 or PMDX-422 with Mach4, or a SmoothStepper.

Download the manual in PDF format here
(revision 1.2, 172 KB, 6 Dec 2013).



Cables are sold separately, please order the ones that you need.

 

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