Hi collincv,
do you have a recommendation for the best smooth stepper for the money?
I answered a similar question a few days ago.
https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=39731.msg266363#msg266363The short answer is that a UC100 or a 57CNCdb25 is the cheapest at around $120. But they are limited to one 'ports
worth' of IO, enough for the simplest of machines only.
Staring around $150 through to $200 there are several controllers with at least two ports and up to five ports worth of
IO. Several of those models require the use of a breakout board such as you already have. You may want yet another if
you want to use all those spare inputs and outputs.
Currently just looking at a picture of warp9 ESS and it has 3 ribbon cables with an expansion port. Do I need a BOB for each port to run each axis or does one port have the capibility to run 3, possibly 4 axis?
To answer specifically about the ESS it has three ports and an expansion port. To my knowledge no one can use the expansion
port yet. If you fit just one ribbon cable to attach one BOB you will end up with exactly the same situation that you have
been using for a while, ie 12 outputs and 5 inputs. If you want to add a second ribbon cable and BoB you could have
another 12 outputs and 5 inputs, or optionally, as inputs are sought after, 13 inputs and 4 outputs.
Should you decide on an Ethernet SmoothStepper you will need a separate 5V regulated power supply of at least 500mA,
you cant power the ESS form the PC.
Craig