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Third party software and hardware support forums. => Third party software and hardware support forums. => Topic started by: DJSprocket on September 29, 2010, 04:24:24 AM

Title: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on September 29, 2010, 04:24:24 AM
this may be in the wrong forum but...

Hello i have a Gerber S/750 Vinyl cutter and pen plotter, and It shows only GSP and S/750 on it. now my questions are the following. Is it possible to use this plotter on a newer computer. Does it require a dongle. Can i reconfigure my own cable to allow connection to a newer computer. And what Free software can i use to operate this cutter plotter. Also will i need to replace the electronics to be able to use it on a newer computer? it has a 8. pin round plug connection that i believe goes directly into a computer. I have a powermac 5400/180 that came with it but no proprietary keyboard for that computer which is why i want to use a newer computer. I am also short on cash which is why i would like to use free software and free solutions if possible.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on September 30, 2010, 11:20:20 AM
Some information on the gs750 here. http://www.gspinc.com/downloads/PDF/fastfacts/literature/GS750Plus_Users_Manual.pdf

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 01, 2010, 01:55:31 AM
The picture of the plotter in that manual is quite similar to the one i have. But the one in the picture has buttons on it for aligning and skewing the blade... min has no buttons on it whatsoever aside from the power switch. also the picture of that plotter doesnt have any writing on it mine says "GSP" on the left side and "S/750" on the right side.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 01, 2010, 02:37:39 AM
Understood, the pin identifications for the serial wiring to the computer will be the same for all these models (hopefully) so that should be one problem solved.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 01, 2010, 08:31:07 AM
Well the GS750 the one that that manual is for has a 25 pin D sub connector the one i have has a 8 pin mini din connector
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 01, 2010, 11:43:27 AM
Have you tried contacting Gerber for the information ?

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 01, 2010, 11:45:37 AM
No but i am confiding in someone from the plotter doctor to help me out with this. the problem is i need to get this thing working asap as cheap as possible. for i have some bussiness that would like to get vinyl cut when i get it working one is numbers for various fleet vehicles one is numbers for a bussing company and their name for sides of busses...
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 01, 2010, 03:50:09 PM
So i figured out another way to get this plotter to work and im in the process of designing the conversion. I ordered 4 of the following stepper drivers for 6 wire unipolar steppers http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/QK179
and i plan on using EMC2 on a linux ubuntu box as it lets you set the individual pinout on a DB-25 cable for communications. it also runs the plotter/cutter/whatever live. I was wondering if anyone knew any good starting settings for EMC2 configurations or if i should set things up relatively slow for the first little while whilst i configure and calibrate the cutter. Thanks in Advance David.
P.S. the other solution i had was to buy a seperate controller for the existing electronics in the plotter which would have cost me about $1300
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 02, 2010, 06:45:56 AM
David,

You can, of course, set the individual pin out's for the DB25 within Mach3. In addition I think you will find that the Theta control (tangential steering) is handled better by Mach3 but I have never done an exact comparison with EMC2.

Please let us know how you get on with EMC2 and which CAD programs you use to create the tool-paths for your vinyl signage.

Good fortune with your project.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 02, 2010, 10:55:26 AM
Thanks Tweakie. is Mach3 free r wuld i have to purchase it? I alos just fund out the DB25 cable i got nly has 11 wires connected aside frm the bare grund cable. do i really need all 25 pins cnnected thrugh t make this work well?
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 02, 2010, 11:51:43 AM
The demo version of Mach3 allows 500 lines (give or take a couple) of code plus there are a few other limitations but nothing serious (not sure about 4th axis here). As long as a GCode program is written carefully 500 lines can be a lot of program.

You really need the full cable but step and direction for 3 axis plus limit switches and PU/PD (with common ground) could amount to only 11 wires so it may be possible, but hey, second user old printer extension cables cost peanuts.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 03, 2010, 04:51:16 PM
4 axis actually. and im probably not going to use limit or home switches. unless i get a full DB25 pin cable instead of this stupid 11 wire one.... the reason being is the only axis on my machine i can really have a limit on is the x axis. as its the only axis with linear motion. IE it goes left to right on the machine and has to stop at the ends. all the other axes are rotational with infinity being their theoretical stop point. although the a axis... for the tangential following for the knife is a 1 rotation + 1 rotation configuration meaning 1 step = 1.8 degrees rotation. and the tool axis Z for tool up and down is only a few mm travel but its also a 1 =1 ratio as well. so 180 degrees 1 way = tool down and vice versa. but how would i code tangential knife in EMC2 which is what i will use.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 04, 2010, 02:01:48 AM
Quote
but how would i code tangential knife in EMC2 which is what i will use.

I think this may be the wrong forum to ask that question   :-\

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 04, 2010, 06:55:39 AM
well where is the right one...

EDIT correct me if im wrong but this is the third party software and hardware support forum right....
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 04, 2010, 07:37:47 AM
Sorry, You are or course quite right, but it is a bit like logging onto the Harbor Freight site and asking questions about Grizzly machines.  ;D

Try this; http://www.linuxcnc.org/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,20/lang,english/

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 04, 2010, 07:50:26 AM
well ill look into it Thanks for your help so far Tweakie. When i get the parts later today ill start posting pics of the build. although i am using a base machine that is prefabbed from gerber scientific products. Ill still post pics of it and the integration of the new electronics. one more question all 4 of my steppers are 5 volt 1 amp or slight variations of 5 volt. could i get away with using a 5 volt rail of a pc power supply?
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 04, 2010, 08:02:34 AM
Yes please David. We all like pictures here and I think it goes without saying that we are only too pleased to help you if we can.

A PC power supply would be fine. Steppers are usually driven at up to 5 times or more of their rated voltage (the limiting factor would probably be the insulation breakdown voltage) what must NOT be exceeded, however, is their rated current. (The voltage is generally increased to provide more torque).

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 04, 2010, 08:22:56 AM
OK the reason i ask about the pc power supply is i  have about 10 of the things im not using. Would running the steppers at 5 volts be fine or shold i run them off like ... 12 volts
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 04, 2010, 08:31:12 AM
I would try 5 Volts and see how you go. Only increase the voltage if you really need more torque.
(the 12 Volt output from the psu is quite low current compared with the 5 Volt).

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 04, 2010, 09:10:57 AM
yeah the 5 volt rail is 28 amps and the 12 is 18 amps
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 04, 2010, 12:53:28 PM
well i got the boars a couple hours ago assembled one and now im testing it with the pc power supply. when i turn on the pc power supply the moter turns a bit then i guess what happens is the power supply goes into protect mode. any help?
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 05, 2010, 02:06:55 AM
Do you have any data on your driver board ?

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 05, 2010, 09:11:24 AM
http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/QK179 is the only data that i have on the board
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 05, 2010, 11:17:20 AM
Just guessing here but it is probably your PSU - some PSU's need a load on the output to provide the feedback for voltage regulation.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Gerber S/750 vinyl cutter plotter
Post by: DJSprocket on October 05, 2010, 01:28:18 PM
yeah i solved that by using a 12 volt led across one of the 12 volt outputs. it also serves as a power indicator