Re: Driver / Controller

Matt, this is great timing for my project too. I looked at all the
sites. Am I assuming correctly that for these boards, EMC is the
only choice for controller software? If so, can you shed any light
on just how much a pain (if any) EMC is compared to Master5, etc and
how hard it is to configure with the BDI?
Mark

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Matt Shaver <mshaver@e...>
wrote:

> 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