Re: Inexpensive servo/stepper motor control? HELP!!

Ralph,

Do a search of the list archive for EMC, and you'll have your
software side lined up... (both steppers and servos, and up to 6 axes)
Since it might not be intuitive, try a search on the archive for BDI
as well. This is a version of EMC (which is a cnc controller for
linux) which claims a "Brain Dead Installation".


Motors are available from many vendors on the list. Check the FAQ and
links pages of the CCED website.

You mention high precision, but not speed demands. The driver answer
will depend on this answer. And "cheap" means MANY different things
to the people here... You can "do a drive" for 5 bucks, but it won't
be fast, pretty, or servo. For a commercial servo drive, you'll be
hard pressed to beat Gecko drives. A search of the list archives will
give you insight and ordering info. For a "purchased" stepper drive,
plan to spenmd 35 to 150 bucks per axis.

telescope driving: try www.therotties.com (don't know if Bartels
links it) Might be www.therotties.uk

For your grinding grits, try Edmund Scientific and/or Mcmaster-Carr.

Hope this helps.

Ballendo

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Ralph Seguin <rpseguin@y...> wrote:
> Are there any inexpensive systems for driving 3 or
> more axes?
> We are now on a very strict budget and thus I have
> very little free cash :-(
>
> I have a 3 axis stage that I would like to drive and
> make a little CNC system.
> I am interested in using Linux (I only run UNIX) to
> drive it, but will run Windows if necessary.
>
> Other projects/ideas:
> -Semi-automated 2 axis optical telescope mirror
> testing stage.
> -Optical interferometer on the cheap (!?!?!?)
> -Driving a telescope (I know of Mel Bartel's pages).
>
>
> I have no hardware knowledge, but very good
> programming skills.
>
> Sooo... I would like to find a servo controller
> systemand appropriate motors capable of driving 3 or
> more axes with high precision.
>
> What kind of system can I find/buy for cheap?
> What kinds of motors provide good torque (for carrying
> 10+ Kg on a slide with a lead screw)?
> ...
>
> I'm hoping to find something surplus, scrap or free,
> but no luck so far.
> Looking for suggestions.
> What about spindle motors for the cutting tool?
>
> I am also looking for really inexpensive grinding
> grits for telescope mirror making.
> I need a couple Kg of each of:
> -25 micron
> -15 micron
> -9 micron
> -5 micron
> -3 micron (useful ???)
>
> Thanks.
> -Ralph