laptop ( was Re: HELP: Bipolar stepper ciruit

Al,
The cheapest way to run a small stepper is with a kit from
HTTP://www.qkits.com Look for their item QK109. This is complete
with all components for US $15. It's based on a UCN5804b driver chip
that is good for 1.25 Amp at up to 36 volts. There is an onboard 555
pulse generator with control pot to allow continious running at
variable speeds. The unit includes a single step push button switch,
along with a slide switch for direction. Also included are 2
configuration slide switches to allow setting for full, half, or wave
stepping. The board has an onboard 7805 regulator and filtering to
provide +5 volts to its logic section. (You may need to replace this
with a "Low DropOut regulator to run on 6v battery)

With simple mods you can run this with step/direction signals from a
parallel port, or from a pic processor. I am us 5 of these to run
NEMA 23 and 32 motors on a 5 axis milling gantry. A friend of mine
uses one to run focus on about a 10 inch reflector scope. He uses a
Pic 16F84 to provide step/direction signals. The F84 is also used to
remember the home focus position for various eyepieces.

Hope this helps.

Bob Hinze

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "al" <101@g...> wrote:
> Hi Dave, yes I appreciate what your saying, and i could do
> with a laptop for another project also, have seen a lot of circuits
for
> controllers using a laptop so not ruled out yet thanks agein al
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Date: 06 January 2003 14:42:02
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] laptop ( was Re: HELP: Bipolar stepper
ciruit
>
> Even on a tight budget, I would not rule out a laptop.
>
> TurboCNC is very inexpensive and pretty powerful.
> It runs on DOS, but the key word is RUNs !
>
> an old 486 laptop should be available for less than
> $200.00 at most computer shows. it offers you a
> very cheap controller.
>
> Many DOS CAD programs are abvailable and of course
> you can write G-code in a spreadsheet or word processor.
>
> Another thing about laptops is that people trash them
> when the batteries die. But in most any CNC operation,
> line voltage is available so battery operation is not
> critical to the operation.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "al" <101@g...> wrote:
> > Hi Dave,
> > thanks for your reply, I'm on rather a tight budget :( and would
> prefer to
> > keep away from a
> > laptop altho I know it would be ideal and have seen many circuits
I
> could
> > use with one.
> > At first it will be a single axis but eventually a 2 axis
control.
> It will
> > be battery operated.
> > There is actually a hand controller sold for this stepper but the
> price is
> > about 10 times
> > what I could build one for I feel sure, or that how I've seen
> electronic
> > bits in the past.
> > So you know my problem now $$ :( I was an electronic tech but
never
> had
> > anything to do
> > with steppers. . Thanks again I've had more help on this group
> [altho I'm
> > told I'm off
> > topic ]than any of the astro group. al [this is for a small
stepper
> on a
> > telescope]
> > -------Original Message-------
> >
> > From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: 05 January 2003 20:52:07
> > To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: HELP: Bipolar stepper ciruit
> >
> > Hi Al,
> >
> > Seems you would benefit from a Palm as your controller. this
would
> > offer you true portability and as you have a single function
> device,
> > your needs don't vary as radically and as quickly as the machine
> tool
> > guys.
> >
> >
> > However.... there is no current (that I know of, and just
recently
> > discussed on here) method of connecting a Palm and using that as
> your
> > controller.
> >
> > A laptop would work well.
> >
> > do you have enough power to run everything in the field ? or are
> > based in a location close to power ?
> >
> > Also, are you set for a single axis or 2 ?
> >
> > Possible applications would be the single axis FROG.
> >
> > Another is a single axis unipolar driver that uses the serial
port.
> > I got one off e-bay last year. It is a PIC microporcessor and has
a
> > priority language (free) and is available in multi axis. I
couldn't
> > find the site, but I have the guy's e-mail address. It is limited
> to
> > low power, but might serve if you have the ampacity to handle a
uni-
> > polar driver with limiting resistor. Drop me an e-mail if you
want
> > the guy's e-mail.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "al <101@g...>"
<101@g...>
> > wrote:
> > > Happy new year to all.
> > > I'm looking for a cuircuit to run a small bipolar stepper.
> > > I need a hand held controller as its for a telescope, all
> > > the circuits I've seen are computer controlled and I have no
way
> of
> > > draging my p.c/monitor out side :)
> > > Hope someone can help. The makers controller runs of 6Volts
> > batteries.
> > > Thank you. al
> >
> >
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> OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
> If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto:
aol://5863:126/rec.crafts
> metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if you have trouble.
> http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this to be
a sister
> site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for
OT
> subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
>
> NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY POSTING
THEM. DON
> T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........
> bill
> List Mom
> List Owner
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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>
> .
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