Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] So many choices - Best way to make Sherline CNC

> As I see it, the major disadvantage of the servo to the stepper is cost.
> Stepper motors and their drivers are typically cheaper than the servo
> system.

I don't know about that. In small machines like sherlines NEMA 23
steppers may be less expensive than the combo of servomotor + encoder,
and the camtronics 2 amp drivers are a cheaper alternative to Geckos
at lower performance. However for larger machines stepper motors get
expensive very quickly, which can make the servomotor + encoder
combination cheaper. When I checked yesterday, the stepper and
step-servo Gecko drives were the same price. Running the servo loop
through the PC in the traditional manner would boost the price quite a
bit though (more expensive drives, analog out card, encoder in card, etc).

For many of us though, the deciding factor may be what parts are
already on hand, or available on the surplus market at the given
moment.

Chris

-------------------------------------------------
Christopher C. Stratton
Engineer, Instrument Maker, and Horn Player
ccs@... 617 628 1062
http://web.mit.edu/~stratton/www/brassbuild.html