Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Worry, servo back powering Gecko

thscarince@... wrote:

> Along similar lines, how about using a stepper simply as an encoder?
>
> While I wouldn't depend on one for servo feedback, that small useless
> ex-disk-drive stepper might make a very nice handwheel encoder for
> manual jogging. Just like the bigtime commercial machines have. The
> neat part is you get a built in "detent" feel from the stepper!
>
>

My Allen Bradley does just that. It has a stepper mounted on the
panel for handwheel control. It has a bit of circuitry added which
generates the normal quadrature outputs which are fed into the
control computer, and as you say, the detent never wears out..
Larry..