RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Gecko Drive Hookup

Welcome to the group.

There are a few ways to make the connection. I have used all of them and
they work in varying degrees (meaning under the right circumstance they all
got the job done).
1 - Cut the connector off the printer end of a printer cable. Trace the
wires down to the pins at the other end and insert those wires of interest
into the drive(s)
2 - Use a printer cable and buy a centronics connector that will plug into
the far end. solder or crimp little wires to the proper pins and run them to
your drive(s)
3 - Do the same as #2 but use a DB25 cable and connector
4 - Use a DB25 cable and buy one of the breakout boards from Dan at
Camtronics ( http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/ ).
Here is the info from Dan's site about the board I am suggesting:
DB25 Junction Board. This kit is a convenient way of connecting up to 4 axis
stepper motor drivers (above) to a pc. It consists of four 5 pin output
headers for connections with the step, direction, signal ground and all
windings off pins of the 5A PCB'soard. It uses a db25 R/A male connector to
mate with a standard 25 pin computer cable. It has connections for
home/limit and relays. A resistor network provides for pulling up all inputs
if required. DB25 Kit is US$30 Plus $4 s/h

#4 is the best route to go as you will have nice connectors to hook
everything to and pull-up resistors are built in so you don't have to mess
with them. Also it will keep your wiring much neater and easier to maintain
and understand later. If you are impatient and just want to see it work go
with #1 for now while you are waiting for your board from Dan.

Tim
[Denver, CO]

> Hi,
> I'm fairly new to the group and I'm running a Taig
> CNC mill with some pretty old steppers. I have just
> ordered a Gecko drive and new stepper for my Z axis.
> Anybody on the list have experience hooking up a
> Gecko drive? I've read their whole library but fail
> to see how I can get step-dir from my parallel port to
> the drive. What do I do? Stick little wires into the
> parallel port, or solder little wires on the pins?
> Any help will be lifesaving!
> Bill Reidsema
> Bradenton, FL
>
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html