Re: gecko 320 and err/res function

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "cnchomeman"
<cnchomeman@y...> wrote:

> Do people generally use the Err/res terminal on the drive as a

drive

> enable from the computer? I would like make it go high to enable

the

> axis like some of the other controllers out there, and I would also
> like hook it to an input to my computer, to stop the program if

there

> is a fault. I can do one or the other, but I am not sure if I can

do

> both. How can this be best done? Has it been done? Can it be done?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Eric

CAUTION: the Err/res terminal is ground referenced to the internal
Gecko buss NOT the PC ground. Directly connecting it to the PC will
A: blow the reset circuit in the Gecko
B: blow the parallel port
C: All the above.

Opto isolation is in order here for feedback to the PC so you can use
the fault signal to issue an e-stop. Drive enable is another
separate problem because you have the same isolation problem but in
reverse. While you can tie multiple Gecko res/err pins together so
all will stop if one faults, they share the same ground reference
(hopefully) from the DC supply. I love Mariss and his products but I
consider the err/res to be a weak link in the design.

I do not know if the err/res pin will sink enough current to drive an
opto directly. You might have to use a transistor interface between
to get the required currrent.

TOM C