CAD CAM EDM DRO - Yahoo Group Archive

Re: Re: Grizzly CNC Conversion Questions

Posted by Ray Henry
on 2002-03-21 09:35:51 UTC
Hi Ken

<s>
> > It should work though as a
> > first EMC machine.  You will get better speed from steppermod
>
> Eh ... speed ain't no biggy, I ain't in a big hurry at this point.
>
> steppermod better than what? in comparison to what other EMC module
> that I could be using except for the fact that I need steppermod?

Sorry for the think ahead without the type ahead. I was comparing two
stepper modules available with the EMC -- steppermod and freqmod.

Steppermod is the older of the two and does a nice job with some setups but
has to ragged a pulse train for some other jobs. Freqmod on the other hand
puts out reasonably smooth pulses but can't do it nearly as fast as
steppermod can.

> Also if my skanky ol' 166 is ho-hum what Mhz CPU gets me into the
> moderately zippy range ... minimum! (think .... still cheap and
> available at your local "very used iron-monger", I don't want or
> need a Pentium 4 :-) The 166 cost me $50 ... speaking of that anyone
> got a lead on old school style memory for this creature I guess
> I should really crank it up from 32M to 64M?

I've run all kinds of junk with a pr300 cyrix. I got a freebe here, a
gateway 166 that I overclocked in the bios to 200 and it seems to work
great with the BDI. At 3000 pulses per inch, I can get 30 ipm easily with
freqmod.

I've found that 64M of ram is generally enough for all of the x-windows and
desktop stuff and for the EMC tkemc gui without any swap. This means that
you will get the maximum visual refresh rate.

> > with the 166 so you will need a bit of care selecting the stepper amps.
>
> No choice here I have (4) PacSci 6410's, got um free and ain't
> buying anything else :-) step and direction needed
>
> if you want to have a peek at the specs for these
> http://www.pacsci.com/support/downloads.html#6400
>
> Why would I "care" what amps BTW?

Stppermod can put out ragged sets of pulses depending upon the speed that
you are trying to run. Freqmod runs a much smoother pulse train but can't
do it as fast.

<s>
> I don't know if I'll end up going the EMC route ... I really, really
> want to, there's something about getting something tangible back for my
> tax dollars which is so appealing!!!!! I'm looking forward to seeing
> the "beast" in action at NAMES and hopefully taking home a box to play
> with .... who knows maybe I CAN return to those days of yesteryear when
> men were men and VI was considered a snappy user interface .... yes I
> remember ... I remember ... BUT I'VE BEEN TRYIN' TO FORGET! :-)

I usta be a vi user. Paul C still uses MC. The gui stuff is much easier
for me these days. LAZY brain or Als something. <g>

HTH

Ray

Discussion Thread

Ray Henry 2002-03-21 09:35:51 UTC Re: Re: Grizzly CNC Conversion Questions