RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Need Help with CNC Mill Conversion

> -----Original Message-----
> 2 or 3 stepper motors: considering the 2A step-syn h-series bipolar motors
> with 180 oz-in holding torque, $102 ea.

Get the 160 in/oz NEMA 23 units from Camtronics
http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/ You will not see any difference and they will
save you a few $$ ($85 each). You can scrounge and find similar units
cheaper, but have to know what you are looking at.

> Driver for each motor: Gecko 201A at $139 ea, or the 5A Bipolar Chopper
> stepper motor translator driver kits from Camtronics, $75 ea.

If you are not looking for an electronics project go with the Gecko units,
but get the G210a instead directly from Gecko
http://www.geckodrive.com/products/g210/ at $129 each instead. It is really
a G201a with the addition of a pulse multiplier board that can be set at 1x
mode and then it works just like a G201a. The reason the G201a cost more is
they are sold through distributors, not direct from the factory like the
G210a is. Long story.

> Where do I get a power supply, any recommendations? I prefer not
> to build,
> but to purchase already made units. Do I need a second 5V DC supply?

A power supply is not anything fancy. Just a transformer, bridge rectifier,
capacitor and a bleed resistor. Don't be afraid to roll your own. Finding an
appropriate amperage and voltage premade power supply can be difficult and
costly. If you use G210a you can set the common to be a ground from the PC
or 5V and also pull it from the PC. On the G201a you have to use 5V, but
again it can come from the PC.

> After I get the motors and the drivers and the power supply, do I need
> anything (some sort of controller) to interface the computer output to the
> drivers?

Suggest a junction board like the one offered by Camtronics or the pBreak
that Doug Fortune offers at http://www.cnckits.com/

> Does anybody sell a decent package with all components already
> assembled and
> ready to plug in that would give me the same performance at a reasonable
> cost?

Yes except for the reasonable price part.

Tim
[Denver, CO]

> What are some suggestions?
>
> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/