Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] servo or stepper?

> If I had a linear encoder and i wanted to use the position data from that to
> control the movement of a rotary axis what is the best way. I need to have
> the rotary do about one rev for every foot of linear travel. I can't CNC the
> linear axis. I need it to position the rotary very accuratly along a path no
> matter what direction the linear is traveling in. That is so the it can
> reverse on the exact path it came down the first time. From what I have read
> so far a servo loop is the best way to control such things but can it use the
>
> feedback from a seperate and NOT controlled axis for it's position? I hope
> you can understand what the heck I am talking about. Feel free to contact me
> off list.

Either a servo or a stepper solution could work for this project. You
do not want a normal CNC control program to run it, but other than
that, everything is the same.

One simple way to go about things would be to buy one of the step
multiplying stepper or step-to-servo drives from geckodrive. Then you
need a linear encoder which is one of the supported multiples of the
resolution of the rotary axis stepper or servo encoder. You buy a $4
chip called the LS7083 (or is it the 7084 - see www.usdigital.com)
which takes the output of the linear encoder read head and generates
step & direction pulses which you feed to the stepper or step servo
drive...

Chris Stratton