K1072 4 Servo Breakout Board

K1072 4-Servo Breakout Board – PICAXE Compatible Servo Control Module

Quick Summary

The K1072 4-Servo Breakout Board provides a simple and organised way to connect and control up to four servo motors independently from a suitable microcontroller. Designed primarily for use with PICAXE-compatible Starter Modules, the K1072 reduces wiring complexity and provides convenient servo connections for robotics, automation and motion-control projects.
Servo motors are particularly useful in student projects because, unlike a standard DC motor that continuously rotates, a typical positional servo can be commanded to move to and hold a selected angular position. This makes the K1072 suitable for projects requiring controlled movement, such as robot arms, grippers, steering systems, gates, levers, mechanisms and moving models.
The board also provides flexibility in how the servos are powered. Depending on the project requirements, servo power can be supplied from an appropriate system supply or from a suitable external servo power supply. This is particularly important when several servos are being operated because servos can draw considerably more current than the microcontroller itself.
By providing an organised connection point between the controller and the servos, the K1072 allows students to spend less time managing loose wiring and more time learning about programming, positioning, sequencing and robotic motion.

Key Features

• Connect and control up to 4 servo motors
• Independent servo control from suitable microcontroller outputs
• Designed for use with PICAXE-compatible Starter Modules
• Simplifies servo motor connections
• Provides organised power and signal connections
• Flexible servo power options
• Supports an appropriate external servo power supply
• Reduces breadboard and jumper-wire complexity
• Suitable for robotics and automation projects
• Excellent for position and motion-control experiments
• Reusable across multiple student projects

What’s Included

• 1 × K1072 4-Servo Breakout Board
Note: Servo motors, microcontroller/controller, programming cable and power supply are not included unless specified separately.

What is a Servo Motor?

A servo motor is a compact motor system designed to provide controlled positioning.
A typical hobby servo contains a DC motor, gearbox, position-sensing system and electronic control circuit within the servo housing. Instead of simply switching the motor forwards or backwards, the microcontroller sends a control signal that tells the servo where it should move.
This makes servos particularly useful when a project requires a mechanism to move to a controlled position.

Controlling Four Servos

The K1072 allows up to four servo motors to be connected to suitable microcontroller outputs.
Each servo can be controlled independently, allowing students to create coordinated movement between several mechanisms.
For example, a robotic arm could use separate servos for:
• Base rotation
• Shoulder movement
• Arm or elbow movement
• Gripper operation
Students can then write a program that moves each servo individually or combines several movements into a programmed sequence.

Servo Position Control

A servo is normally controlled using a repeating control pulse. Changing the timing of this signal commands the servo to move towards a different position.
The microcontroller generates the required control signal while the K1072 provides a convenient connection between the controller and the servo motors.
Students can experiment with different programmed positions to investigate:
• Angular movement
• Position control
• Timing
• Movement sequences
• Mechanical limits
• Repeatability
• Coordinated movement
The actual movement range depends on the particular servo being used.

Servo Power Supply

Servo motors can require significantly more current than microcontroller circuits, particularly when starting, moving a mechanical load or attempting to hold a position.
When several servos are used simultaneously, the total current requirement can increase considerably.
The K1072 provides flexibility for powering the servos from an appropriate supply arrangement, including a suitable external power supply where required.
Using a separate servo supply can help prevent servo current demands from causing voltage drops, microcontroller resets or unreliable operation.

Important Power Considerations

When using multiple servos:
• Use a power supply capable of providing sufficient current for the servos.
• Do not assume the voltage regulator on a microcontroller or Starter Module can safely power several servos.
• Check the operating voltage of the particular servos being used.
• Allow for increased current when servos start or operate under mechanical load.
• Ensure the controller and servo system have the required common electrical reference when connected as specified by the project design.
• Avoid mechanically forcing a servo beyond its normal movement range.
This is particularly important when controlling three or four servos simultaneously.

Common Applications

• Robot arms
• Robotic grippers
• Steering mechanisms
• Pan-and-tilt mechanisms
• Moving sensors
• Gates and barriers
• Automated mechanisms
• Moving models
• Animatronics
• Robotics experiments
• Position-control systems
• Student design projects

Input – Process – Output

The K1072 can form part of an excellent Input–Process–Output learning activity.
Input: A push button, LDR, infrared receiver, potentiometer or another compatible sensor provides information.
Process: The PICAXE microcontroller processes the information according to the student’s program.
Output: One or more servo motors move to programmed positions.
For example, a sensor could detect an object and the microcontroller could respond by moving a servo-operated gate or robotic arm.
This helps students understand how programming can be used to control real mechanical movement.

Programming Servo Sequences

Once students understand basic servo positioning, they can progress to creating programmed movement sequences.
For example:

1. Move Servo 1 to a starting position.
2. Move Servo 2 to raise a mechanism.
3. Move Servo 3 to position an arm.
4. Move Servo 4 to operate a gripper.
5. Pause for a programmed period.
6. Reverse the sequence.
   This introduces students to important programming concepts including sequencing, timing, repetition, variables and decision-making.

Classroom Use / Learning Outcomes

Students can use the K1072 to:
• Control servo motors using programmed signals
• Control up to four servos independently
• Understand servo positioning
• Investigate motion-control systems
• Develop programmed movement sequences
• Integrate electronic and mechanical systems
• Investigate the relationship between code and physical movement
• Understand servo power requirements
• Build robotic mechanisms
• Integrate sensors with servo movement
• Test and troubleshoot robotic systems
• Develop automated solutions to design problems

Teacher Benefits

• Reduces servo wiring complexity
• Provides organised connections for up to four servos
• Works with PICAXE-compatible Starter Modules
• Suitable for progressive robotics activities
• Allows students to concentrate on programming and system behaviour
• Provides a practical introduction to position control
• Supports structured exercises and open-ended design projects
• Reusable across multiple classes and projects
• Allows mechanical, electronic and programming concepts to be combined in one activity

Curriculum Links

The K1072 can support Australian secondary school activities involving:
• Engineering principles and systems
• Digital control systems
• Algorithms and programming
• Input–Process–Output systems
• Robotics and automation
• Mechanical movement
• Electronic control
• Testing and evaluation
• Development of designed solutions
Teachers can select the curriculum outcomes appropriate to their state, year level and specific classroom activity.

Perfect For

• Robot arms
• Robotic grippers
• Servo-control lessons
• PICAXE programming projects
• Robotics and automation
• Position-control experiments
• Moving models
• Sensor-controlled mechanisms
• STEM activities
• Design and Technologies
• Systems Engineering
• Student design briefs