RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Vector Cam

Hi, Garry:

> There is hobby and then there is side line business. All are good but
> to many the idea of sending 2-3 k just to watch motors spin is out of
> the range fro starting.
>
> I am looking more at things like "Hobby CNC" or the stuff at
> http://www.crankorgan.com/.

Years ago, I built a system to position the filament of a flashlight bulb
with respect to its base. I used what was then the 'state of the art' -
Superior stepper motors and their unipolar drivers. Each motor used a couple
of hundred-watt droppng resistors to sop up the extra power.

Later, I built systems which used Compumotor steppers - again the state of
the art at the time - with bipolar drivers. The performance differences were
amazing. So much that I'd really suggest that you consider using bipolar
drives from the get-go. With the Xylotec systems running around $100 for
three axis and unipolar systems running around $50, it's a no-brainer, in my
opinion.

When I retired, and had to start forking money out of my own wallet, I still
bought bipolar drivers for my system. I 'cheated' on the expenses by using
freeware for the CAD and G-Code Interpreter and a low cost shareware G-Code
interpreter. I'd suggest that you also follow the same path. Like any hobby,
you can spend thousands or hundreds, depending on your income level and
interest. Both ends of the spectrum are represented on this list.

-- Jerry