Re: Tormach stepper motors

I believe my step loss problems are really a conglomeration of
issues. First I'll say the machine was running fine for quite some
time, using the original steppers, gecko 201's and wired as per an
article in the home shop machinist which agreed completely with Les's
instructions (many thanks again to Les!), and DeskCNC. It started
gradually while I was running very large programs (65000 lines) with
very short moves, usually about .004 average lengths, routing some 3d
artistic type pieces. Somewhere along with this I upgraded to a
newer revision of the software which had to be re-setup. I've never
quite gotten my acceleration curves set right. When it was running
better and not skipping steps I couldn't rapid more than about 15-20
IPM without the motors groaning and stalling and making moves of say
1" instead of 10". Playing with the accel curves, I got a rapid of
95 IPM, but weird things at cutting speeds. Mechanincally, there is
nothing to disrupt travel (clean ways, good lube, proper
adjustments). Powered down, all the pulleys can be freely turned by
hand the full length of travel. I think therefore, the problem is a
combination of old motors being underpowered, not having good
acceleration curves (maybe this is hard to set up because of the
motors?) and potentially some cross talk between motor power cables
and step/direction signals in my little rats nest behing the
machine. I don't know about the crosstalk for sure since it wasn't
happening and then started. I've tried everything I can think of and
have pretty much given up on it, but I want to have it running well
so I can get a little more out of it when I sell it. If you think
new drivers would be a better move than new steppers I'd be willing
to try that, or if the geckos are ok to drive the tormach steppers
(by the way Bob, who actually makes those? and are yours the sealed
ones?) I suppose a new software package could work too, but I have
the DeskCNC controller board and would have to rewire the whole mill.

Thanks again guys!
Nate