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Mach4 General Discussion / Re: USB Smoothstepper USS 5 axis with Mach4
« on: August 18, 2016, 02:37:47 PM »
Well, the use of the G251 drivers brings a new element to the question. Their inputs
are NOT opto isolated so the ground of the G251 will be connected to the ground
of your interface card. The step/dir common and the motor supply negative terminal
are internally connected in the G251. For this reason the Ethernet SmoothStepper is
probably your best solution.
The Ethernet SmoothStepper is isolated from the host computer by the transformer
used in the Ethernet connection.
The Ethernet SmoothStepper will need a 5 VDC power source. Its negative
side output will need to be connected to both the SmoothStepper and to the
step/dir common on the G251 drivers. This terminal is provided to give a less
noisy signal point than the power supply negative terminal of the G251 drivers.
The step and direction signals from the Ethernet SmoothStepper are strong enough
to directly drive the step and direction inputs of the G251.
Do be careful as the G251 motor outputs are not overcurrent protected and the
SmoothStepper inputs are not opto isolated.
If you are concerned about damaging the SmoothStepper, there is an inexpensive
C25 board from CNC4PC that can be used to buffer the signals. While it does not
opto isolate the signals, it does employ buffer chips in sockets that should be easy
to replace and provides terminal strips that are easy to wire to the G251 drivers.
are NOT opto isolated so the ground of the G251 will be connected to the ground
of your interface card. The step/dir common and the motor supply negative terminal
are internally connected in the G251. For this reason the Ethernet SmoothStepper is
probably your best solution.
The Ethernet SmoothStepper is isolated from the host computer by the transformer
used in the Ethernet connection.
The Ethernet SmoothStepper will need a 5 VDC power source. Its negative
side output will need to be connected to both the SmoothStepper and to the
step/dir common on the G251 drivers. This terminal is provided to give a less
noisy signal point than the power supply negative terminal of the G251 drivers.
The step and direction signals from the Ethernet SmoothStepper are strong enough
to directly drive the step and direction inputs of the G251.
Do be careful as the G251 motor outputs are not overcurrent protected and the
SmoothStepper inputs are not opto isolated.
If you are concerned about damaging the SmoothStepper, there is an inexpensive
C25 board from CNC4PC that can be used to buffer the signals. While it does not
opto isolate the signals, it does employ buffer chips in sockets that should be easy
to replace and provides terminal strips that are easy to wire to the G251 drivers.
You need to provide some context about your machine, controller, or
motor drivers before your question can be answered.
Stepper motors: (5) NEMA 17
Drivers: (5) Gecko 251s
Current breakout: DB25
Software: Mach3 and Mach4
That's about it