Re: Xylotex v gecko

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Ed" <mst3knut42@a...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi, has anyone used both stepper drivers? What are the advantages

of

> the more expensive gecko? Im using xylotex now but am thinking of
> upgrading, any input?
>
> Ed:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I was running Xylotex drivers on my minilathe last year, ballscrews
geared for 16 motor turns = 1 inch travel, 270 oz/in steppers. Max.
feedrate was 9 IPM with the steppers wired bipolar series.

Switched to Geckos, rewired the steppers bipolar parallel, and now
get about 60 IPM max speeds. I won't ever cut at that speed on a
minilathe but it's nice to see it rapid move between passes, and it
will keep up with threading now. I used a power supply with twice
the voltage. Everything else stayed the same, machine, software
(TCNC), computer, etc. My motors are rated 2.3 amps bipolar series,
4.3 amps bipolar parallel.

I also find that the motors run much smoother through all speed
ranges. There seemed to be a mid-range resonance with the Xylo
boards.

The changeover was money well spent for my purposes.

Nothing wrong with the Xylotex boards, great drivers for the price.