Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: DeskNC - CNC Pro 3x as fast as EMC???

> Hi,
> I am only putting forth some obsevations. I also have a problem
> with people constantly hawking there wears VIA this conference. They
> tell people certain ideas are a waste of time, only to have a buy
> this solution. I am sure the man who designed Gecko products started
> out using simpler designs. If building it yourself is a waste of
> time, then I say forget retro fitting and buy a new machine!
> Message 23413 is what I am talking about. You don't want to build
> a controller use a PIC instead. What logic!

If you can build your own large stepper drive in a way that is
economical in either time or money, then do so. Most of us can't. I
built some small L297/L298 drives, which sort of work, but even there
I wish I had bought boards/kits from someone else. If I decide to
build a larger stepper system I will order one of the Gecko modules or
one of Dan Mauch's kits - and I'll save money in doing so. These two
have done us all a large favor - they spent the time and money in R&D,
they blew the FETs when things went wrong - so we don't have to.
There is still room if you want to get into that segment of things
either for yourself or as a business, but you don't have to unless you
want to.

Even if you buy the drives there is still a lot of system left to hack
- power supply, motor and ballscrew mounts, software, etc...

If you want to build your own drives, build the L297/298 circuit that
is floating around on the web and give it a try. It will run little
sherline/taig size machines and make some of the issues present in
designing larger drives evident.

Chris

--
Christopher C. Stratton, stratton@...
Instrument Maker, Horn Player & Engineer
22 Adrian Street, Somerville, MA 02143
http://www.mdc.net/~stratton
NEW PHONE NUMBER: (617) 628-1062 home, 253-2606 MIT