Re: BOSS5 to Mach2/Gecko

If you can get them second hand Compumotor S Drives are good as they
can put out 6 to 8 amps and voltages in excess of 100V, microstep,
and have a self contained power supply direct from 120V AC. Dont get
the more commonly found SX drives as they wont work with step and
dir. I use three in my BP Interact series 1 with AhHa cards.

From what you say you should be able to lash up your exisiting
bridgeport drives to Mach2 via a breakout board. Its virtually the
same as an AhHa setup (see their user group). There are good
details on hooking into a standard BP stepper drives on the EAGland
cnc web page. Of course you wont get micro stepping on the standard
BP drives. I have 2:1 gearing with steppers and 6 amps per phase
is fine.

Fred

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "cnc_4_me" <cnc4me@g...>
wrote:

>
> Well, the larkin drives only take 10 more volts that the

gecko...If

> you need drives i would go gecko G210 drive...But if i understood

you

> right you may use existing drive...If it works it should be
> inexpensive way to go...
>
> Wally
>
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "braidmeister"
> <braidmeister@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Not sure if it is running belt drive or not...I do see what

could

> be
> > belt covers on the machine, but haven't had a chance to fully go
> over
> > it since I picked it up last week. Much to my disbelief, I have
> been
> > busier in the past 2 months (7 days 14-18hrs/day) than all year.
> >
> > Here's an exact link to the drivers:
> > http://www.larkencnc.com/motion/steppers.htm
> >
> > I put a similar post on the CNCZone board and another member is
> > telling me that it is possible to run Mach2 setup for MaxNC
> > (waveform/quadrature instead of step/dir) and wire it directly

to

> the
> > 8-pin connector on the EDI board...then I can use the stock

stepper

> > drivers and run Mach2. If this is true, life just got a whole

lot

> > cheaper!
> >
> > -Brady
> >
> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "cnc_4_me" <cnc4me@g...>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Early bridgeports had direct drive steppers and later went to

2-1

> > > belt drive...Hopefully you have the 2-1 setup...The only

problem

> > with
> > > your steppers is the geckos will be struggling to power them

with

> > > their 80 volt dc limit...
> > >
> > > As for the larkin drives, i only found a 3 axis kit for

$2000.00

> > and
> > > few specs given...For that price you could probably buy a

whole

> new
> > > drive package, motors and all...
> > >
> > > But there are many on this list that have used the orignal
> steppers
> > > and are happy...Rapids may be a little slow with the gecko
> because
> > of
> > > low voltage...You may get something in the 60 to 80ipm range...
> > >
> > > Search for this message on this list...It goes into a lot of
> detail
> > > on bridgeport, steppers and gecko drives...
> > >
> > > From: Ian Eagland <ian@e...>
> > > Date: Wed Nov 1, 2000 4:42am
> > > Subject: Gecko Stepper on Bridgeport
> > >
> > >
> > > Wally
> > >
> > > P.S. Steppers Rule!!!
> > >
> > > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "braidmeister"
> > > <braidmeister@y...> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Been there...read that.
> > > >
> > > > I really don't want to spend the money on servos, encoders

and

> > > drives
> > > > at the moment. This is why I want to use the original motors
> and
> > > > power supply. They are good enough to move the machine with
> it's
> > > old
> > > > control (at advertised rapids) and just want the same in

return

> > BUT
> > > > with PC control to leverage higher memory and advanced
> functions
> > > not
> > > > available with the stock control system.
> > > >
> > > > I have a CNC router and CNC plasma cutter with stepper

motors

> on
> > > > them. Yes, if you push any stepper system they will lose
> > > steps...but
> > > > so do servos if you overdo it. My machines make me

money...and

> > > > steppers are simple, cheap and reliable. Maybe one day in

the

> > > future
> > > > I will swap out the steppers on the BOSS for servos...but it
> > isn't
> > > in
> > > > the budget at the moment. This is why I specifically stated

not

> > to
> > > > mention servos.
> > > >
> > > > Basically, the goal is to convert the BOSS over to PC

control

> via
> > > > Mach2 and the mentioned hardware so that I can run a program
> > larger
> > > > than 14k. I am not spending $1300 for a BTR. DNC doesn't

work

> > with
> > > > BOSS5. The most cost effective option right now is Mach2.
> > > >
> > > > The Larken drives can be found here: www.larkencnc.com
> > > >
> > > > So...I guess that no one has done this before using the

stock

> PS
> > > and
> > > > steppers without frying a drive?
> > > >
> > > > -Brady
> > > >
> > > > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "turbulatordude"
> > > > <dave_mucha@y...> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > <snip>
> > > > >
> > > > > > Not interested in servos. Not interested in off the

shelf

> > kits.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks!
> > > > > > -Brady
> > > > >
> > > > > I would say to read Message 77354 From: "Mariss

Freimanis"

> > > > >
> > > > > It explains how to chose a motor and why.
> > > > >
> > > > > Also, there was a post on 'Mystery Motors' that mentions

the

> > > > problems
> > > > > with huge steppers. a lot of energy goes into getting

over

> > the
> > > > > cogging.
> > > > >
> > > > > Dave