RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: low cost drivers

|Finally, this is no speed deamon. I can only get about 1000
|steps / second before I start loosing steps. This translates to a
|little over 7 IPM of motion.

I doubt that your speed problems are due to the board. It simply takes step
and direction information from your computer and converts it to phase
signals and amplifies those signals into voltage and current capabilities
that can drive your motors.

If you're having problems with speed, consider the following:

1. Are you running your G-Code interpreter in a DOS box under windows? If
so, your pulse train being sent to the board is not robust (you'll find some
really large gaps between pulses at apparently random times if you check
with a scope - that's the kiss of death for high speed operation). Try
booting directly into DOS and rerunning your G-Code interpreter. You might
find a fast improvement.

2. Is the system (motor and drivers) sufficiently powerful for the machine
that you're attempting to control. Stepper motors lose torque as operating
speed increases.

|My conclusion: unless you are REALLY hard on cash, and are
|not REALLY sure this CNC stuff is for you, go for the assembled
|stuff. This goes double if you aren't that slick with a soldering
|iron.

I reached a different conclusion than you did. My Sherline mill runs at
speeds of up to 4000 steps per second using the 2 amp board. And, that
limitation is due to the mechanical system, not the quality of Camtronics'
product. I would agree, however, that the instructions for building the kit
are not nearly as good as Sherline's instructions for using their tools.
But, then, Sherline is the exception in the machine tool business.

-- Carol & Jerry Jankura
Strongsville, Ohio
So many toys, so little time....