Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: clachan on August 28, 2006, 07:26:30 AM

Title: which drive
Post by: clachan on August 28, 2006, 07:26:30 AM

I am converting small mill (Dyna 2800) to run from MACH3. My steppers are 8 wires 200 steps. Can you suggest suitable drivers to buy. Will it be better to get G-rex (as far as I understand 1 board drives up to 6 axes) or  3 separate drivers, one for each motor.
Thank you

Title: Re: which drive
Post by: fer_mayrl on August 28, 2006, 10:24:19 AM

THe Grex is a step direction generator, you would still need drivers. I dont know if your motors are bipolar, if they are, I would go with Geckos (201) But I gues it all depends on what size (amps and volts) the steppers are.
Regards
Fernando

Title: Re: which drive
Post by: clachan on August 28, 2006, 12:46:56 PM

Hi Fernando
Thank you for clarifying.

Title: Re: which drive
Post by: fer_mayrl on August 28, 2006, 12:53:38 PM

Not a problem.
Just to clarify furthermore, the grex ys a pulse generator capable of generating much more pulses per second than the parallel more. (tens or hundreds of times more, I cant remember which) but it just generates the pulses substituting only the parallel port, you still need the controller (Mach2/3) and the drivers. If you post the characteristics of your motors, perhaps we can suggest which types of drives to use.
If using big-is motors on an production machine, I would suggest geckos, if smallish motors on a hobby once a week use machine, then I might go with xylotex or something similar.
Regards
Fernando

Title: Re: which drive
Post by: clachan on August 28, 2006, 05:49:58 PM

2.3Amp steppers from Escap. They are 1.8.
There are 8 wires coming out of each motor.

Title: Re: which drive
Post by: fer_mayrl on August 28, 2006, 06:02:00 PM

You might get by with a Xylotex drive.

www.xylotex.com

but I am biased, i Love My Geckos!