Building My CNC Router

I am finally getting around to building my CNC router to mill out guitar necks, and various other parts for my guitar builds.

- 1500mm X 650mm
- 80/20 extruded aluminum rails and frame
- 80/160 extruded aluminum gantry
- CW 8060 motor drivers
- 4 - 34HS9801 65V 4A stepper motors
- 5:1 timing pulleys
- 20mm guide rails
- Rack and pinion drive

I want to use 3 proximity sensors NPN for homing, then an additional 4 for the remaining limits. I also want to utilize a touch probe for locating the X and Y of my fixtures, and a touch-off plate for setting Z height.

I am thinking of using the EES Smooth Stepper motion controller. Any advise on the BOB would be appreciated. I really don't understand at this point what pins and ports, inputs and outputs can accommodate what I am trying to accomplish.

Thanks for any help, pointers, critiques...etc.

Can anyone advise on a breakout board to use with the Smooth Stepper that will handle the inputs and outputs I am seeking to employ in my build?

Hello? Is anybody who knows something about breakout boards willing to help a newb out? Am I invisible?

The best breakout board for the ESS is the MB2 from CNC Room. It's not cheap, though.

Yeah that isn't cheap at all. I don't know a great deal about breakout boards, the pin-out, how to wire and configure things. So this is a learning experience for me. What other options would allow me to use 4 NPN proximity switches for homing (4th one to square the gantry), then the remaining 3 wired for one input on the breakout board, plus a touch probe and touch plate?