Re:[CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Rex boards

> Dave, thanks for the reply I was under the impression that it was some
> type of break out board but didn't understand the implications of it all.
> I find that there are several names for the same components which has had
> me confused in the past [and present some times!!], however I think I'm
> getting the hang of it all. So with the Rex board, is it possible to
> drive two steppers off the same set of pins ie; drive two steppers on the
> x axis or..? I should maybe pass on some background as to what my
> intentions are. I'm looking to make a 3 axis mill for foam cutting work
> making various composte molds and bucks, some of these parts would be
> fairly large in size [ like a carbon fiber car hood] and there-fore my
> table is going to have a fairly large foot print. [ I haven't nailed down
> the final size at this point but.. big enought to make a car hood at
> least] The nice thing is I don't think I'll need a whole pile of power
> from my steppers as the mat'l will be pretty easy going. I've got some
> concerns w/ running the x-axis with only 1 stepper on 1 side. I'm thinking
> that if I could set it up for a dual drive that would work great, the
> other option is to use 1 really large stepper in the 600oz/in range and
> then belt the two ball screws together with a timing belt, this would
> ensure that the system stays sqr [ can't remember the 'shop' term]
> Thoughts, ideas.. suggestions? My hope is to [ sometime in the furture]
> set up the system for 5 axis positional work to do more complex parts. Of
> course this is after I get comfortable w/ simple 3 axis work. Also on the
> Rex board, if its set up to work w/ encoders a person could use it when/
> if they switched to servo's?? It works w/ all the Gecko drives as well?
> The other issue is, how easy is it to set up w/ Mach 3? or is there other
> programs of which it works well? I thought the use of a charge pump was a
> good idea, does this board using something similar or maybe it doesn't
> have the same problem w/ the comp. 'twittering' the USB when its starting
> up? any good sites for just the basic construction styles of tables? My
> back-ground is CAD, so designing the table is with in my comfort zone,
> however its always nice to see how others do it! Lots more questions but
> I'll leave them for now.
>
> Thanks
> Jarrett Johnson
>
>
>>
>>
>> Hi Jarrett,
>>
>> the Gecko REX is not a driver, it is an interface board.
>>
>> Check the specs on your breakout board, it will be 3 or 4 motor
>> outputs, the REX can do 6.
>>
>> Also the unit accepts quadrature inputs so it connects the encoders to
>> the board.
>>
>> In addition, a parallel port can only to 8 outs for 4 motors (one step
>> and one dir each) and another 4 outputs and then 5 inputs.
>>
>> the REX can do 6 motors and 16 additional outputs and 22 addition inputs.
>>
>> In addition it has 4 analogue ins and 4 analogue outs
>>
>> and connects via USB or eithernet.
>>
>> So, what that would make that card out to be is the interface for a
>> very high end platform. Everything is already in there so there are
>> no additional cards to be for another motor or more I/O's.
>>
>> At $208 it is only about $50 more than a high end parallel port card.
>>
>> I would expect to see those parallel port cards on e-bay soon as the
>> guys who spend the $$ want the best.
>>
>> All I see that is missing is a 7th encoder input. one for the pendant
>> jog unit. but, I would bet that can be handled quite simply.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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