RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] bridgeport series 1 retrofit

> > 1. Stupid question:
> No, it isn't.
> > how can I determine if my motors are capable of
> microstepping? This
> > will obviously determine my choice of drives between the
> G201 or the
> > G210.

G201 and G210 drives are both 10 microstep drives meaning that the
normal full step is broken into 10 microsteps. The difference is that
with a G210 you have to clock each microstep with a pulse from the
computer. With the G210 you can put it into a mode where one pluse from
the computer clocks 10 microsteps from the drive. But in both cases the
motor is being microstepped.

> > 2. Would a 77vdc power supply with some large caps on the output
> > sufficiently filter out ripple and not damage the Gecko's? I'm
> > concerned that my power supply may be a wee bit too close
> to the 80v
> > rating for the Gecko's.

I would aim more for 65 - 70 VDC and leave some comfortable margin. You
will not gain much performance by driving at the limit and can smoke
some drives.

> You didn't ask, but I prefer TurboCNC to EMC. EMC was
> cumbersome to use
> (admittedly, my PC made the interface slow). EMC's constant velocity
> cutting is nice though. Something we're hoping for in a
> future version
> of TurboCNC. I like TurboCNC's ability to use a home switch on each
> axis connected separately to the PC. That way I can hit 'H'
> to home all
> axes, and they all home at once. That and saving offsets really helps
> in doing multiple passes on a piece of work if I need to exit the
> program, to copy files, etc. http://www.dakeng.com

I have used both and if they were the only two programs in the world to
choose from I would be running EMC. Luckily, there are other choices.


Tim
[Denver, CO]
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