Re: Low cost Servo Controller

David Howland wrote:

> From: David Howland <dhowland@...>
>
> In response to the questions for more clarification about what a low cost servo controller may offer:
>
> The primary objectives include Cost effective and runs on Windows, DOS, or NT without excessive configuration problems. Linux seems a bit difficult to polish up. On the cost effective side, even in a production shop, if it were not absolutely necessary to install ball screws, one might be able to justify upgrading that dusty knee operated shelf in the corner. No one would ever think of putting balls screws on many of the older mills. If the shop were near a gorge, and the fork lift were handy, a lot of people might walk away with that Calvin and Hobbes grin after dropping these old mills in the gorge. The fact that we can't find some better use for them, than a 2000 pound, adjustable shelf, seems pretty insane if you ask me.

I put high-precision ball screws on my 1932 round-ram Bridgeport, and I'm VERY happy with the results. These are
7/8" screws, a little light for a Bridgeport, and there is just a hint of bowing in the X screw, but it really works great!

As for the Linux problems, well, you can't get real-time performance from Windows 3.x, 95, 98 or DOS. You CAN get
a real-time extension for NT, but I believe it is $2000. I don't run anything else on the machine tool computer, it is dedicated
to the machine, so who cares what operating system is on it? Yes, there were a few hurdles in getting Linux working right,
but it has only had one actual crash in over a year of operation, and it even failed gracefully there, too, with the real-time
task still in full control of the machine, you just couldn't talk to it anymore.

Jon