Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] low cost drivers

In a message dated 30-May-02 15:09:08 Central Daylight Time,
rkonnen@... writes:

> What are some others experiences with the lower cost stepper drivers,
> i.e. hobby cnc, etc...for the smaller nema 34 and 24 steppers?
>

Richard: Once, I was very, very poor, so "time" was somewhat irrelevant re
cost. Fortunately in SOME respects (not in all, I assure you!), this
changed, and time began to have conversion-factors making that amazingly
similar to money! At first, I used some very nifty Fujitsu IC's, both
"DIP's" and "metal tab" packages (like large TO-280's with many pins), and
home-brew PCB's. This worked, but had to be done on a "hobby basis", as the
cost, were I paid only 50¢ per hour, would have been way-more than
"store-bought"! Note: This was only for "unipolar" (aka "L/R")
driver-circuits.

When I had reason to build some machines with BIPOLAR Size-34 motors, I used
the motor-manufacturer's drives, neatly packaged two per box, including
power-supply with TOROIDAL power-transformer! (really 21st C. stuff!).
Expensive, yes, but works PERFECTLY!

THEN I learned of Mariss' G210's. These are MAGIC (provided you use
common-sense and "per instructions" techniques installing/using them!). AND,
much cheaper than the above-said bipolar system, after you add-in the cost to
cobble a suitable power-supply.

That is: If you want to save money, use the Gecko G210 drivers and suitable
(unregulated!) DC supply per instructions. If this "looks like" more $ than
you expected to spend, stop and think: IF you do it right, it will WORK, and
the spending of money is DONE. If you do it "cheap", it will give you
nothing but hassles, and the "fixin' of it" will set you back, in the end,
way more! Take it from me! Been there, done that!

Lotsa luck! Jan Rowland, Old Ugly Troll


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