Re: Stepper Controller

Hi Tyler,

I fully understand! Lotta stuff to come up to speed on! Check the FAQ,
on the bottom of messages,

http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html

For CNC kits and other sources. A unipolar driver is easy to make, not
much more the 4 darlington transistors, and a couple of hex driver
I.C.'s. The L297/298 data sheets can be followed to build a stepper
driver for bi-polar motors. The FAQ also has tutorials on stepper
motors. I've also heard of simple stepper circuits offered on DIY.

DC kits has function generators based on the 8038:
http://www.dckits.com/kits.htm

hobby CNC has some stepper drivers, $50 for 3 axis! can't beat that for
a low-low cost stepper motor driver.

http://hometown.aol.com/drigotti/HobbyCNC.htm

The idea is if you eventually want to try CNC, then the "driver"
(transistor board that provides motor power) is a good first step. The
"controller" program ( or a 555 timer I.C.) sends it pulses (steps) and
a direction signal. When You're ready for CNC, THEN you'll want the
controller program. CAD you can get free now! Intellicad is a FREE
"clone" of AutoCAD. To get from a CAD drawing (.PDF files) to Gcode
(part program that the controller program reads), you need a translator
program. Yeager automation has one for free! (and a good controller
program).

I got started by buying a "motion control kit" from MaxNC, three axis of
stepper motors, a driver board & power supply, and a controller
program! While not the most advanced or powerful, it's a good way to
get started. And kits like these can do real work, driving a Sherline,
MaxNC or Taig mill or lathe!

You can also do a search for "stepper motors", and find lottsa stuff!
Many sites give plans for low-cost stepper drivers. The telescope folk
use steppers to move there 'scopes! Robot fans use steppers to run
their robots!

Look for stepper motor driver kits!

Do some reading (FAQ, searches), and ask more questions! We'll get 'ya
spinning those motors!

Alan KM6VV
P.S. Enjoy the learning!


powernob@... wrote:

>
> hey Alan :)
>
> I just wanted some sort of cheap and quick control box to make so that
> i could maby make a power feed system, I have DC power supplys and i
> was hoping someone had a schematic for a "controller"(still not sure
> if thats what it would be called).
>
> I am really just starting in Machining, all i have is a lathe right
> now and i still need alot of tools for it. I still need a mill and all
> the tooling for it, not to mention all the skills and knowledge to use
> all of this equipment properly, I was thinking that CNC was just a
> little to much for now, although i love the thought of just hitting
> the enter button and watch the machine spring to life!!
>
> Thank you for you responses, my 21 year old head is trying to soak up
> all of this newfound info!
>
> Tyler Phillips
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@a...> wrote:
> > Hi Tyler,
> >
> > If I may comment, I'd get a L297/298 driver, even start with just 1 or
> > two axis. Camtronics, can get you started. Gecko's are also a good
> > choice.
> >
> > http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/
> >
> > Then, you want a simple 555 timer circuit to make pulses, and a toggle
> > switch for the direction line(s). Very simple. lets you spin the
> > motor(s).
> >
> > Even better, IMO, would be a simple program (yup, a computer), to
> > generate these pulses. The parallel port can be used to connect
> > step/direction lines to the driver.
> >
> > Just out of curiosity, why no computer? Makes simple work out of
> > developing pulses! And, when you later decide you'd LIKE to have the
> > motors follow a program to cut parts (Gcode), then the addition of a
> > controller program will be your next step.
> >
> > A "function generator" (audio square wave generator) can provide pulses
> > (steps) for the motor drivers too, and they are often quite cheap. An
> > 8038 function generator chip (used to be Intersil) can give you the base
> > for a generating pulses also.
> >
> >
> > Alan KM6VV
> >
> > powernob@h... wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello I am a new member to this group, and pretty new to the whole
> > > stepper motor/cnc bizz, I was wondering if someone has plans to a
> > > motor controller that doesnt need a computer, but rather could be used
> > > as a power feed of some sort... you press a button it spins one
> > > way(maby have a rehastat to speed or slow it down), press another
> > > button makes it spin the other way, and maby a button to advance one
> > > step at a time?
> > >
> > > Any info would be great! good group!
> > >
> > > Tyler Phillips
>
> Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.
>
> Addresses:
> Post message: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
> Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
> URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
> bill,
> List Manager
>
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/