Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Aerotech Servo Motors?

Gregory Kamysz wrote:

>I'm hoping somebody will have some info.
>
>I just picked up a 2 axis table setup with servo motors. It's made up
>from two Aerotech ATS412 slides. They each have an Aerotech 1000DC
>series 1075 motor with tach and encoder. I guess the tach is not
>required with Gecko drives. The encoder I'm not sure about. It was
>made by Datametrics, which I couldn't find any information on. The
>glass encoder wheel is marked 1000K3 which is the similar to the part
>number K3DM-1000. The board seems to have 5 output wires none are
>marked channel A or B. Should I just replace the Encoders with US
>Digital units?
>
>

Not if you can figure out how to make it work. These are almost certainly
1000 line encoders, giving 4000 count/rev. Why replace them with low
resolution encoders? If you've already had the cover off, follow the
wires and see if there is a large capacitor connected between two of them.
If that capacitor is an electrolytic, it will have polarity marked with
either
a + or - sign. You should then be able to apply +5 V to the + wire, and
gnd to the - one, and observe encoder signals on the others. With 5
wires, there's
a good chance there is A, B and index (plus 2 power wires, of course).
If no polarized cap is visible, there still almost HAS to be a capacitor.
But, it won't tell you the polarity. You can try using a DVM on diode
test between those leads, and see which way it conducts. If there is
no conduction one way, that may be reversed polarity. If there is
conduction
both ways, the higher voltage reading (on diode test) might be the correct
polarity, bit it is still a bit iffy.

>If I connect these to a Gecko is there a possibility of damage to the
>drive if they are not compatible?
>
>

Since the Gecko supplies encoder power, it is less likely, but possible.
But, if you are able to get it powered up as I wrote above, you'll be safe.

Jon