Re: G-code to stepper controller (?)

Hi John,

I think this is a little off topic, but as I understand it,

the Driver is the device (hardware) that regulates the high power
electrical to the motors. Typically electronic, but a series of
switches could drive a motor.

the Controller is also hardware in the form of a PC or stand alone
unit that could be as simple as a switch and an encoder.

Software is separate from the controller in as much as it is not
necessary to make stuff work. one could hard code the program into
the controller circuitry. Lord knows we suffered with cams and end
switches for years.

Anytime you increase the complexity of the electronics, you add the
potential for 'smarts' most full step drivers are open loop circuits
not monitoring the current to the motor. Geckos and the Xylotex and
others actually monitor the motor current and adjust it accordingly.
I'm not sure what one calls smarts or intelligence, but in a way, I
consider the Gecko smart. Of course, none of this stuff even comes
close to the intelligence a human has.

That's the way I understand it, but I could be wrong. (I was
corrected earlier today, cause Hans has sharp eyes!)

Dave




--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "John Guenther"
<j.guenther@v...> wrote:

> Xylotex / Gecko are drivers not controllers. The controller is the

PC which

> produces step and direction pulses that the Xylotex or Gecko use to

produce

> motion. There are many controllers available to run on a PC,

including

> TurboCNC, EMC, MACH1, Master5, cncpro, and Flashcut just to name a

few.

> Many people seem to confuse the controller and the drivers. All the

Xylotex

> or Gecko drivers know is that they have a high or low direction

signal and

> that pulses are comming in on the step signal line. For all

intents and

> purposes there is no intelligence in the drivers, all of the

intelligence is

> in the control software mentioned above.
>
> John Guenther
> 'Ye Olde Pen Maker'
> Sterling, Virginia
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Matt Evans <kaptnknemo@y...> [mailto:kaptnknemo@y...]
> > Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2003 18:10
> > To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] G-code to stepper controller (?)
> >
> >
> > Does anyone know how to convert g-code to a stepper contoller
> > xylox/gecko etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > List Mom
> > List Owner
> >
> >
> >
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http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> >
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