Hi,
yes the ESS requires, or rather benefits from a breakout board. Attached is the picture of my ESS (the green board) atop the LED board and main breakout board.
It is my own design and make.
It has six axis (X,Y,Z,A,B,C) differential outputs, and alarm input for each axis, an ENABLE signal commoned to all axes, a RESET signal commoned to all axes,
an ON/OFF relay contact for the spindle, a PWM output for the spindle, four general purpose outputs capable of sourcing or sinking 50mA at 24V, and 25 general purpose 24V (sourcing 5mA)
inputs. Works a treat.
Craig