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

Jeff;
One of the most telling things about a company or it's owner is when they recommend
someone elses product based on questions... If I can expect that level of honesty from a
company, then that's a company I'd like to deal with!
I may go with the Gecko drives for my Mill/Drill, but I have some other projects in mind
that I would buy your Xylotex drive for. (One project at a time though!).
Thanks!

Paul F.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "jeffalanp" <xylotex@h...> wrote:
> 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.