Re: stepper3 driver and mach2

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "ervtech" <rervin@c...> wrote:

>
>
> Hello cnc group,
> I am working wih high school students building a cnc plasma cutting

table as a

> project for our engineering class. We are well on our way, have the

plasma

> cutter,Hypertherm 600 and work on the xyz table is progressing. We

have, I think,

> decided to go with mach2 for our software and realize that gecko

drives and maybe a

> breakout board from centronics would be the best way to go, but

also is over our

> budget. Will a all-in-one board like the one from stepper3

(www.stepper3.com, model

> s3p1) work with mach2. We have decided to use steppers, a; because

we already have

> them and b; becuase there is no contact with the material being

cut. I do realize that

> servo motors would be best but maybe for the next generation table.

I have already

> accomplished so much with this project, getting the students

involved, problem

> solving and hands on manufacturing, even if it's a little crude

here and there, were my

> goals for this project. Ultimatly we would like to be able to cut

custom parts for our

> robotics program. We have competed in FIRST robotics for the last

few years and have

> wished for cnc cutting abilities often. Are we headed in the right

direction,

> considering budget and limited experience? Thanks for any help or

advise you can

> offer.
>
> Rob Ervin
> robotics teacher
> chestnut hill academy

Rob. Over a year ago I did the inital design on the Torch Height
Control for interface with MACH2. It measures the arc voltage and
gives MACH2 a logic UP or DOWN signal. I made an offer at that time
to provide the schematic and circuit detail for free for any
registered users of MACH2. I presume as a robotics instructor you
guys have access to making your own PC boards. If you want the
schematic, it is on the old Master5 list (precursor to MACH2) in the
files section. There are also some pictures of a floating torch
holder that you might want to review. If you can't find the
schematic just drop me a line and I have a file I will send you.
Adding a THC to a plasma is like having terrain following radar. It
will make a big difference in the quality of cuts and will lower your
consummables cost, not to mention the reducion of scrap from misfires
and head crashes.

Also checkout SheetCAM at www.sheetCAM.com for a simple to use CAM
program that supports milling and plasma cutting. It's in the low
cost range of less than 200 bucks (free demo).

Tom C.