Re: Xylotex or Gecko step driver for my Mill/Drill?

Hi Paul,
Although the Xylotex board can handle 2A with no problem, I'm
guessing that the inductance of your motors is quite high. This
requires a decent voltage to get good performance from your motors.
The max running voltage of the Xylotex is 30VDC (35VDC abs max). You
probably want to run around 60VDC (??) to get the most from your
motors. This puts the motors well past the capabilities of the
Xylotex, but well within the capabilties of the Geckos. In your case
you will be much happier spending more to get the Geckos.

In my opinion, the A3977SED based Xylotex drives peak with motors
around 250 oz.-in. (although others have used larger motors with
decent performance). 250 oz.-in. motors can provide decent
performance for the smaller Harbor Freight type mill-drill machines
(but since you already have your motors....).

Jeff
http://www.xylotex.com

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, shyningnight@y... wrote:
> Sitting here with no money to continue BUYING parts to retrofit my
Mill/Drill... plotting and
> scheming WHAT to buy when I DO have money...
>
> I have 3 stepper motors (courtesy Dan Mauch at Camtronics). I
bought the "H34011__Step
> motor 680 oz in 2A 3.4. ohms" motors.
>
> NOW I'm looking at driver boards...
> My top three contenders were;
> Stepperworld.com's FET-3 board, but I ruled that one out because
it's a unipolar only
> board.
>
> Gecko 201/210;
> They certainly have a good following!
> Reading the specs, I don't know which would be "better" for my
setup, the 201 or the 210.
> What's the practical difference?
>
> The Other leading contender is the Xylotex 3 axis board..
> Again, good following. Considerably cheaper than buying 3 Gecko's.
>
> Keeping in mind;
> 1) I'm an electrical idiot... hookup instructions with nice clear
pictures and using small
> words are preferred, and
> 2) This Mill Drill will be used for steel and aluminum parts, but
I'm happy to be patient and
> take LIGHT cuts if necessary.
>
> Which of the two (Gecko201/210 or Xylotex) would be "better"? Or in
this case, should I let
> price decide? I admit, I would PREFER to NOT spend the extra on the
Gecko's... but if that's
> what it takes to build a decent system, I WILL.
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Paul F.