PMDX-131 will be revised for larger G202 drivers.

Thanks to everyone who responded (publicly or privately) to our query
about accomodating the Geckodrive G202/212 drivers on the PMDX-131.
The overwhelming preference is to revise the PMDX-131.

We are proceeding with the revisions and will be delaying
introduction until late May. Responses to some of the issues raised
are summarized below:

1) Could we do a layout with the drivers arranged in two rows of two
drivers?

This approach was considered and
passed over for the these reasons:

a) suitable heatsinks are hard
to find in this form factor
for those who still plan on
using G201 or G210 drives

b) the 2 x 2 arrangement would
make it impossible to access
the Geckodrive's ADJUST trimpot

c) placement of the I/O connectors
and the high current power supply
traces feeding the Geckodrives
would conflict

2) Could we offer two styles of board, the original one for the
G201/G210 and another for the G202/212?

We had not yet released a production
version of the original board, so it
would still involve tooling charges
for PCB manufacture, paste stencil,
and pick&place programming to be done.
For this reason and because we would
prefer not to build and stock multiple
versions, the revised version will be
the only one offered.

3) Could we just make a smaller board and run ribbon cables to the
Geckodrives?

There are no ribbon cable connectors
that will mate with the Geckodrives.

The final product will support four drives in any mix of G201, G202,
G204 (Vampire), G210, or G212. It will be a 1 x 4 array like the
original prototype board shown on our web site, just longer. A couple
of more minor features will be added. Our plans are to have them
available in late May at a price of $181.00 each.

Regards,
Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com