Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Driver / Controller

On Sunday 08 December 2002 01:33 pm, you wrote:

> With typical "hobby" PC based controller software, three techniques are
> applied. "Step and Direction" Signals are sent out of your parallel port
> to "motor Drivers", which in turn tell the motors where to go and when.
> This happens when a software designed to do just that, turns common
> G-code text files into those pulses and signals. This is typical of
> MACH1, Master5, TurboCNC, YeagerCNCPro, Larken, KCam, Jala, IndexerLPT,
> Microsystems.... Who'd I miss?

EMC, Stepster, Dancam, now I'm really reaching...
<...>

> If your goal is to end up with Servos, at this "hobby" level, you are
> just taking the "step-Dir" signals primarily designed to run stepper
> systems and "converting" them to work with Servo Drivers specifically
> designed to take "Step - Dir" input. This is popular using Gecko Servo
> Drivers. ( great reading on that Gecko Site !)
>
> Far different than those $10k controls you have been used to! I do not
> think anyone has a True Servo Control anywhere financially available in
> this "hobby" market. ( I call "hobby" control under $1500)

Actually;

Servotogo
http://www.servotogo.com
8 axis $888
ISA

Pico Systems
http://www.pico-systems.com/pricelist.html
4 axis $500 with no I/O
IEEE-1284 Parallel Port

Studio Ferrari
(can't find the link just now...)

Vigilant Technologies
http://www.vigproducts.com/html/price_list.htm
4 axis $595
PCI

are all below $1000 for a traditional +/- 10Vdc controlled setup with
quadrature decoders for encoder feedback.

> Chris L

Matt