Messages

261

General Mach Discussion / Re: Noobish Question On Motors & Drivers

« on: April 26, 2008, 10:03:03 PM »

You can probably find some decent dc brush type servo motors with encoders already fitted on ebay for a little less. There is a fellow that pretty regularly has three new in the box reliant servos for aprox $500 .
In addition to the gecko drives you will need a dc power supply that can provide the needed amperage and voltage.

You will also need a breakout board of some sort that will go between the computer and the gecko drives. Computer hooks to the breakout board , break out board attaches to geckos , limit switches , solid state relays etc. The power supply will attach to the drives. There are a number of breakout boards avail , I like this one http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=161

262

General Mach Discussion / Re: c10 breakout board rev 8

« on: April 23, 2008, 06:51:17 PM »

I am running a total of 6 of cnc4pc boards currently and other than an occasional mistake on my end have not had a single problem, they seem to be very well laid out and of qaulity construction , to have the same problems twice in a row with a proven board might suggest an error somewhere else.
If your looking at spending nearly $100 on a board why not consider the c10 from cnc4pc , I am using 3 , one on a 4 axis mill and the other two on lathes and they are very "full featured" , more features than a number of other boards that cost in excess of $200

263

General Mach Discussion / Re: c10 breakout board rev 8

« on: April 19, 2008, 06:53:10 PM »

I am also using that board on one of my retrofits and I am very pleased

264

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sure Servo drives with Mach

« on: April 15, 2008, 12:43:37 PM »

back on the subject of using the sure servo drive with mach , is the 5v common shown in the diagram +5v or -5v . My break out board has a jumper to choose the common terminals as - or + ,I am sure this is a simple thing I should know but I am a machinist and my knowledge of electronics is very limited

265

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sure Servo drives with Mach

« on: April 15, 2008, 10:52:18 AM »

thank you for the diagram , now I just need to figure out motor tuning and setting the drive to the proper mode

266

General Mach Discussion / Re: engraving granite

« on: April 14, 2008, 08:58:35 PM »

there is a fellow with a nice raster to vector program that has done quite a bit of 3d engraving in granite, I will try to find the link. If memory serves he was using half round (D shaped) carbide tools he was grinding himself , slow process but loooked really nice

267

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use

« on: April 10, 2008, 09:00:12 PM »

Is Gsimple a true 3d code generator or just 2 1/2 D like the wizards in mach? I downloaded it and I dont see any 3d Surfacing

268

General Mach Discussion / Sure Servo drives with Mach

« on: April 10, 2008, 05:23:13 PM »

Anybody here using the sure servo ac brushless drives from Automation direct with mach? Which pins on the sureservo do I attach the step, direction and common pins from my breakout board to?

The wiring on my encoders are labled A , -A   B, -B etc  , the encoder inputs on the drive are labled A, /A and so on  , is -A the same as /A ?  Thanks

269

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use

« on: April 09, 2008, 10:14:04 PM »

I am using mastercam , does a nice job

270

General Mach Discussion / Re: Win a Free Smooth Stepper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

« on: March 30, 2008, 10:17:00 AM »

would love to win one, would also be very happy to just out right purchase also