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Third party software and hardware support forums. / Advice request - Break out boards etc

« on: October 08, 2009, 05:30:48 PM »

Hi Guys,

I have a 3 axis CNC board I purchased a few years ago in the UK, and to cut a long story short, I never got round to finishing off the machine and trying it until a few months ago.  Well I got it working for a few minutes before something failed on the board.  It would appear that the company I got it from have ceased trading.  I'm now left with the decision of what to do now.  I spoke to a friend who uses Mach3 and likes it.  I downloaded the software and had a look at some of the videos and it seems to be much more professional than the other system I had. 

I've made a small 3 axis milling machine with steppers on the 3 axes. 

I was planning on getting some Bipolar stepper drivers from ARC Euro as below:-

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Stepper-Motors/Stepper-Drivers

My questions are:-

1) Which break out board would you recommend - I may want to add a 4th axis as well?
2) What else am I likely to need to make a workable system?

Any help would be appreciated.

Lindsay