Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Driver / Controller (Chris L)

Jens Swales wrote:

>hi chris
>
>ron mentioned some changes for the next box-release...
>improved grounding, jumpers for various settings etc. and especially
>one issue i was thinking of; why have optos in the output when most
>drivers already have them onboard? so they will soon be removed to
>give a much better pulse-quality. the manual says this can be done
>right now with some hacking, i.e. swap the 2 16-pin optos with a set
>of transistors. have you any experience of this?
>
>

Yes.
The Opto Swap to Transistors is almost a must do, especially if you
experience step loss of any amount with your drivers. It is not a hard
operation.

Wick off the solder from the IC chips they specify... U10, U11, and U14.
Pull those chips out and toss them. Solder in their place so new 16 pin
IC sockets. You can get them at your local Radio Shack or from Digi-key
(if you need a new catalog every week). Pre-bend the legs on12 2N3906
Transistors ( a couple of bucks at radio shack) and carefully orientate
them as shown into those new sockets.

I have had a few situations where it had to be done, others where it
works fine without the mod. Off hand, I recall with some of my
experiences, the Anahiems, Ah-Ha's, MicroKinetics Dr3535's, and some
unknown # compumotors that did not need the mod. As far as I know,
MicroK's DR4050's, and Gecko's Do need it.
not at all to say it is a Gecko thing. It is a compatability thing that
not everyone has time or patience to figure out.
As mentioned, I do have a few contacts who continue to chase minor loss
with Geckos while running 3d. There are others with strange devices like
CNC punch presses with FC and Geckos reporting no problems. Like I
indicated earlier, I wish they were closer... Or I had a set of Gecko's
to get to the bottom of the problem IF there really is one. I don't see
why they wouldn't work wonderfully.

I do question though which "Version" of Gecko the problems are being
reported on. From my Internet observations, there have been a few
versions while it was being developed.

What drives do you have, and do you currently experience Step Error ??

Chris L