How We Design a Claw Machine Mainboard — Hiclawcrane Engineering
Direct Answer
A claw machine mainboard is the central control unit that manages every function of a claw crane machine — joystick input, motor movement, coin acceptor logic, claw strength, prize sensor detection, and display output. Hiclawcrane designs and programs its own mainboards in-house at our Guangzhou factory, ensuring full compatibility with every component in our DIY kits.
What Does a Claw Machine Mainboard Control?
- Joystick input — translates directional signals into X/Y axis motor commands
- Motor control — drives the gantry along X, Y, and Z axes with precise timing
- Coin acceptor logic — validates coins or tokens and credits the player
- Claw strength control — sets grip strength on descent and during prize retrieval
- Payout rate management — controls win probability settings for operator configuration
- Prize sensor integration — detects when a prize has been successfully retrieved (on applicable models)
- Display output — drives the score display, countdown timer, and settings screen (LCD models)
- Audio output — triggers sound effects and background music via the speaker
Standard Mainboard vs LCD Screen Mainboard
| Feature | Standard Mainboard | LCD Screen Mainboard |
|---|---|---|
| Display | LED score display | LCD screen with full settings UI |
| Settings access | Button-based configuration | On-screen menu navigation |
| Diagnostics | Error code via LED | Real-time diagnostics on screen |
| Claw strength adjustment | Yes | Yes |
| Payout rate control | Yes | Yes |
| Prize sensor support | Model dependent | Yes (25.7cm and 71cm kits) |
| Included in | 53cm and 71cm kits (default) | 25.7cm kit (standard); optional on 53cm and 71cm |
How We Design the Mainboard Circuit
- Motor driver isolation — X, Y, and Z axis motor circuits are isolated to prevent cross-interference during simultaneous movement
- Coin acceptor signal filtering — input filtering prevents false coin detection from electrical noise
- Overcurrent protection — motor driver circuits include overcurrent cutoff to protect against stall conditions
- Universal voltage input — all mainboards support 100–240V AC input, compatible worldwide without adapters
- PCB protection — L-type PCB feet are included in every kit to elevate the mainboard and prevent short circuits
Firmware and Programming
- Claw strength profiles — operators can set grip strength independently for the descent phase and the retrieval phase
- Payout rate control — configurable win probability settings
- Play time limit — adjustable countdown timer per credit
- Coin value configuration — supports single and dual coin acceptor setups with configurable credit values
- Auto-return logic — gantry returns to home position after each play cycle
Mainboard Testing Process
- Visual inspection — solder joints, component placement, and PCB condition checked under magnification
- Power-on test — checked for correct voltage rails and no short circuits
- Functional test — all input/output channels tested: joystick, motor outputs, coin acceptor input, display output, audio output
- Burn-in test — board runs under continuous load to identify early-failure components
- Final inspection — passed boards are labeled and staged for kit assembly
Why Mainboard Compatibility Matters for DIY Kits
A common problem with sourcing claw machine components from multiple suppliers is mainboard incompatibility. Symptoms include:
- Motor timing mismatches causing jerky or imprecise gantry movement
- Coin acceptor signal rejection due to voltage level differences
- Prize sensor not triggering correctly due to input logic mismatch
- Display not functioning due to protocol incompatibility
Because Hiclawcrane designs the mainboard and selects all other kit components together, every component is tested as a system before shipment.
Mainboard Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage | 100–240V AC (universal) |
| Motor Outputs | X axis, Y axis, Z axis (claw) |
| Coin Acceptor Inputs | 1 or 2 (kit dependent) |
| Prize Sensor Input | Yes (25.7cm and 71cm kits) |
| Display Output | LED (standard) or LCD (LCD model) |
| Audio Output | Speaker connector included |
| PCB Protection | L-type PCB feet included in kit |
| OEM Customization | Available for qualified buyers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I upgrade from a standard mainboard to an LCD mainboard?
A: Yes, the mainboard can be replaced with an LCD model. However, the wiring harness must also be fully replaced at the same time — the LCD mainboard uses a different connector layout and wiring configuration from the standard mainboard. Contact us for the correct replacement harness for your kit size.
Q: Can the mainboard be configured for different coin values?
A: Yes. Coin acceptor credit values are configurable via the settings interface. Both single and dual coin acceptor setups are supported.
Q: Is the mainboard compatible with third-party components?
A: Our mainboards are designed and tested with Hiclawcrane kit components. Compatibility with third-party motors, coin acceptors, or sensors is not guaranteed. For best results, use the complete Hiclawcrane kit.
Q: Do you offer OEM mainboard customization?
A: Yes. OEM mainboard customization is available for qualified buyers, including custom firmware parameters, branding, and modified I/O configurations. Contact us for details.