RE: question for potential Gecko 320/340 users

On 25 Mar, CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com wrote:

> I am in the process of finalizing the design for an
> interface board that provides, among other things,
> an isolated, buffered feedback from the Gecko 320/340
> step-servo drivers. Since this signal is different
> from other feedback and cannot be interchanged with
> plain contact closure inputs, where should it show
> up on the parallel port?

Steve;

I've already done this .. you may want to look at

http://www.sfu.ca/~alan/gecko/err.html

There you will see a schematic of what I have done, including an
optoisolated output to a PC.

The logic to combine external EStop/limit switches with the Fault
output from the Geckos is done inside the microcontroller.


I should also add here that I have discovered a bit of an anomoly in the
signal coming from the Gecko fault pin. On my own system, I saw nothing
unusual, but one person who purchased a controller from me has found
something.

I believe that this problem is fixable through software and to that
end, I have send him another microcontroller. I should know fairly
quickly if this does solve the problem.

If so, if the problem is fixed with a micro upgrade, I'll immediately
send all the other purchasers of this product replacement PICs. I'll also
update the source code on the web page at that time.


Alan




--

Alan Rothenbush | The Spartans do not ask the number of the
Academic Computing Services | enemy, only where they are.
Simon Fraser University |
Burnaby, B.C., Canada | Agix of Sparta