[Rance]

I've searched but have not seen a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of controller hardware for driving Stepper motors. I'm still somewhat of a newbie so I may need more columns to get a useful comparison. Any info. or suggestions you could provide would be helpful. I'll update the table in this first post as new posts, suggestions, and input is added.

|Kit|U/B|Axis|Opto.|Type|_Steps|MBRD|$/Ch|Amps|Volts|_Tech_|_Controller_____|
|###|###|####|#####|####|######|####|####|####|#####|######|################|
|PCB|_U_|__1_|__.__|__._|___Y__|__._|$_22|__3_|_55__|18245T|_PicStep________|
|PCB|_U_|__1_|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|____|__5_|_30__|IRLZ44|_PMinMO_________|
|PCB|_B_|__1_|__.__|Chop|__400_|__._|__._|_2.5|_46__|L297/8|_PMinMO_________|
|PCB|_U_|__3_|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|__._|__5_|_30__|_3977_|_PMinMO_________|
|Kit|_U_|__4_|__N__|Chop|_3200_|__._|$_25|__3_|_42__|_7062_|_HobbyCNC_4AUPC_|
|Kit|_U_|__1_|__N__|Lin.|_3600_|__N_|$_30|1.5_|_35__|TIP122|_Linistepper____|
|Kit|_U_|_>3_|__N__|Lin.|_3600_|__N_|$_25|1.5_|_35__|TIP122|_Lini-InQty.____|
|Kit|_U_|____|__N__|____|__200_|__N_|$___|3.0_|_35__|TIP122|_Lini-NoMicro___|
|_N_|_U_|__1_|__N__|__._|__400_|__._|$__4|1.25|_35__|_5804_|_UCN5804________|
|_._|_._|__._|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|$___|__._|__.__|_3977_|_3977/a3977_bd._|
|_._|_B_|__3_|__.__|__._|_1600_|__._|$_52|_2.5|_35__|______|_Xylotex 3-Axis_|
|_._|_B_|__4_|__.__|__._|_1600_|__._|$_46|_2.5|_35__|______|_Xylotex 4-Axis_|
|_N_|_B_|__1_|__Y__|__._|_2000_|__Y_|$114|_7.0|_80__|Propri|_Gecko G201_____|
|###|###|####|#####|####|######|####|####|####|#####|######|################|
|Kit|U/B|Axis|Opto.|Type|_Steps|MBRD|$/Ch|Amps|Volts|_Tech_|_Controller_____|

- - Legend - -
Kit - KIT-Comes in a kit; PCB-PC boards available only.
U/B - Unipolar or Bipolar? (U/B)
Axis - # of Axis (or Channels)
Opto. - Does it have Opto-Isolation? (Y/N)
Type - Chp-Chopper, Lin=Linear
Steps - Steps per revolution, assuming a 1.8deg. motor.
$/Ch - Cost per Channel or Axis
MBRD - Mid-band resonance damping? (Y/N)
Amps - How many Amps will it support in the given mode? (Per Phase)
Volts - Max. volts supported.
Tech - The technology this driver is based on. (3977, TIP122, etc.)

- - PROS - -
PicStep - OPEN SOURCE
PMinMO - OPEN SOURCE
Gecko - Powerful?
HobbyCNC -
Xylotex -
UCN5804 - Really Cheap, easy to build
Linistepper - Less Expensive, versatile, OPEN SOURCE.
3977 -

- - CONS - -
PicStep - Soldering Required, No Kits available
PMinMO - Soldering Required
Gecko - Expensive
HobbyCNC - Soldering Required
Xylotex -
UCN5804 - Soldering Required, Really low power
Linistepper - Soldering Required
3977 -

Other related questions:
If a controller is NOT a Chopper or a Linear, then what is it?

[Edit: Added MBRD, Volts, Reformatted, Updated]

[GlenBA]

Need to add "Mid-band resonance damping" to the chart.

[Mariss Freimanis]

Volts are important too.

Mariss

[dpuch]

Well for the PICstep and the PMinMO 3977 you have the choice of 3 axis opto isolated or 4 axis without. Both can use the same breakout borards I believe.

There is a spreadsheet for the 3977 on PMinMO's site that includes the component costs. Total cost depends on if you buy boards or make them... but it lets you figure it out. Roughly $120 for a 4 axis setup.

[James Newton]

I hope this will be more readable. The trick is to select the table and click the "#" tool or just put "|CODE]" at the start of the table and "|/CODE]" at the end but replace the "|" with the open square bracket. The thing won't let me show you an open square bracket 'cause it thinks its an actual code command then.

|Kit|U/B|Axis|Opto.|Chop|M.Step|MBRD|Cost|Amps|Volts|_Tech_|_Controller_____|
|###|###|####|#####|####|######|####|####|####|#####|######|################|
|_._|_._|__._|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|$___|__._|__.__|18245T|_PicStep________|
|PCB|_U_|__3_|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|Clik|_5._|__.__|_3977_|_PMinMO_________|
|_._|_._|__._|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|$___|__._|__.__|______|_Gecko__________|
|_Y_|_U_|__4_|__N__|__Y_|___Y__|__._|$25_|_3._|_42__|_7062_|_HobbyCNC_4AUPC_|
|_._|_B_|__3_|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|$___|__._|__.__|______|_Xylotex________|
|_._|_B_|__4_|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|$___|__._|__.__|______|_Xylotex________|
|_._|_._|__._|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|$___|__._|__.__|_5804_|_UCN5804________|
|_Y_|_U_|__1_|__N__|__L_|___Y__|__N_|$30_|_1.5|_35__|TIP122|_Linistepper____|
|_"_|_"_|_>3_|__"__|__"_|___"__|__"_|$25_|__"_|__"__|__"___|_"_Qty_Discount_|
|_"_|_"_|____|__"__|__X_|___N__|__"_|____|_3._|__"__|__"___|_"_w/o_Microstep|
|_._|_._|__4_|__.__|__._|___.__|__._|$40_|__._|__.__|_3977_|_3977/a3977_bd._|

- - Legend - -
Kit - KIT-Comes in a kit; PCB-PC boards available only.
U/B - Unipolar or Bipolar? (U/B)
Axis - # of Axis (or Channels)
Opto. - Does it have Opto-Isolation? (Y/N)
Chop - Is this a Chopper? (Y/N/L) L=Linear
M.Step - Does this suport Micro Stepping? (Y/N)
Cost - Cost per axis
MBRD - Mid-band resonance damping? (Y/N)
Amps - How many Amps will it support in the given mode? (Per Phase)
Volts - Max. volts supported.
Tech - The technology this driver is based on. (3977, TIP122, etc.)

- - PROS - -
PicStep -
Gecko - Powerful?
HobbyCNC -
Xylotex -
UCN5804 - Really Cheap, easy to build
Linistepper - Less Expensive, versatile, OPEN SOURCE.

- - CONS - -
PicStep -
Gecko - Expensive
HobbyCNC - Soldering Required
Xylotex -
UCN5804 - Soldering Required, Really low power
Linistepper - Soldering Required


I've updated the cost column to be per axis and included the estimate provided for the 3977.

I split the Linistepper into three lines to show the different options including quantity price and higher amp rating in non-microstepping modes. I sell the Linistepper kit, in case you didn't know.

Anyone else that can fill in some of the missing data for the other units? Perhaps the 3977 should be split into a few lines to show different options? Pricing for the others?

[NC Cams]

Why not simply put the rating into a spreadsheet which can then be attached and upgrade a bit easier????

[James Newton]

'cause everybody has a different version of the spreadsheet software. But if you do it, and add information, I'll be happy to translate it back to html or text for others to see.

[Rance]

James,

Thanks for the tip on using CODE.

[I split the Linistepper into three lines to show the different options including quantity price and higher amp rating in non-microstepping modes. ]

Hey, I don't see where you split this out. I'd be glad to do this if you want to email it to me. Each time I find out more info, I update Post #1 to reflect the changes. Thanks everyone for their input, both past & future.

[Edit: Doooooooh, I'm blind as a bat. Thanks James.]

[James Newton]

In my copy of the table (post #5 above) there are two new lines under the Linistepper line. The first one reflects the quantity discount and allows the "($75 for 3)" text to be removed from the prior line which gets rid of the horizontal scroll bar in the CODE area. The second new line is just under that and reflects the higher power available if you don't use the microstepping modes. I also updated the Ledgend to indicate Linear vs Chopper: "Chop - Is this a Chopper? (Y/N/L) L=Linear"

[davesaudio]

'cause everybody has a different version of the spreadsheet software. .

its just called a csv, isn't it?

[James Newton]

Errr... yeah, I guess so. Good point, .CSV would be just fine, assuming people would stick to that and not post back .XLS or whatever... And assuming people could load that...

Kit,U/B,Axis,Opto.,Type, Steps,MBRD,$/Ch,Amps,Volts, Tech , Controller     
PCB, U ,1,  .  ,  . ,   Y  ,  . ,$22 ,3,55,18245T, PicStep        
PCB, U ,1,  .  ,  . ,   .  ,  . ,    ,5,30,IRLZ44, PMinMO         
PCB, B ,1,  .  ,Chop,400,  . ,  . ,2.5,46,L297/8, PMinMO         
PCB, U ,3,  .  ,  . ,   .  ,  . ,  . ,5,30,3977, PMinMO         
Kit, U ,4,  N  ,Chop,3200,  . ,$25 ,3,42,7062, HobbyCNC 4AUPC 
Kit, U ,1,  N  ,Lin.,3600,  N ,$30 ,1.5,35,TIP122, Linistepper    
Kit, U , >3 ,  N  ,Lin.,3600,  N ,$25 ,1.5,35,TIP122, Lini-InQty.    
Kit, U ,    ,  N  ,    ,200,  N ,$   ,3,35,TIP122, Lini-NoMicro   
 N , U ,1,  N  ,  . ,400,  . ,$4 ,1.25,35,5804, UCN5804        
 . , . ,  . ,  .  ,  . ,   .  ,  . ,$   ,  . ,  .  ,3977, 3977/a3977 bd. 
 . , B ,3,  .  ,  . ,1600,  . ,$52 ,2.5,35,      , Xylotex 3-Axis 
 . , B ,4,  .  ,  . ,1600,  . ,$46 ,2.5,35,      , Xylotex 4-Axis 
 N , B ,1,  Y  ,  . ,2000,  Y ,$114 ,7,80,Propri, Gecko G201

[imserv]

None of these are CNC controllers. They are all simple, low end, stepper Drivers.

Fred Smith - IMService
http://www.cadcamcadcam.com;hobby

[greybeard]

Hi James.
Sorry to have to say this but while post 5 was readable, if not pretty, post 11 is unreadable on my pc running xp.
None of the columns line up now, and as it isn't an attachment I can't edit it myself.
Am I missing something ?
John

Edit I've tried copy and paste into my word processing prog, but it doesn't support csv as far as I can see -shows how old it is !

[davesaudio]

copy and pase into a file with extention txt or csv preferrably and open in excel
any database program should read it also
never paste into word- its the worst for adding crap.
the way billy g's world works sometimes pasting and saving in notepad
is the only was to get that crap stripped off again

[James Newton]

Reguardless of format, how about some people adding in the missing information or adding new controllers? If you are worried about formating the table, just post the information unformatted and someone will edit it in for you.

[pminmo]

The problem with this type of table is it trys to reduce a "System" to a few entries. When you put together a 3 axis machine, you think of the mechanicals in relation to each other. For example you wouldn't normally put a Z axis with 3 feet of travel on a machine that has 6" and 9" of X-Y travel, but you could. If you don't think of the electronics in the same light, your kidding yourself.
How the electronics interface to the computer, how the motor power supply is handled, how the wiring is laid out, how it it fused, overvoltage protected......is of utmost importance. Consequences of failure should also be examined, as well as downtime for some.

imserv made the point these are not cnc controllers, which I concur with. (althought I'm not sure I would agree with his advertisement of a cnc controller either)

And what to you put in certain instances, I know I struggled with the table on my website as to what to use as voltage maximums. And I finally would up using the Max spec'd voltage, even though in most systems I wouldn't advise using supplies near those values.

[Elnino]

I am currently making my CNC mill utilising the (kit form) controllers from oatley electronics here in aus. They're cheap, work well and are simple to assemble. At <AU$30 ea they're a bargain!

They support up to 30v too (can go higher with better FETs than supplied with kit)

They have unipolar and bipolar versions and also sell a 'constant current' board to go with them - According to them these are better than using a chopper type drive. These are ~AU$30 as well

So for <AU$60 per axis you can get some pretty decent speeds and torque BUT you have to be a little handy with a soldering iron.

My machine is 98% mechanically complete and i have been testing the electicals on the way and i have been nothing but impressed with the performance of these kit based drivers.

[James Newton]

For some strange reason, whenever I go to the home page of oatley electronics, my browser locks up.

Could you possibly provide a direct link to the product you are using? I would very much appreciate it, thank you.

[Elnino]

http://www.oatleyelectronics.com/kits/k142.html

[diarmaid]

I just thought you might like to know that there is a limit on the zone of how far back you can edit your posts. Therefore, quite soon you will try to edit Post No.1 and there wont be an 'Edit' button anymore.

I think you should attach it to your post as a text file. Then anyone can edit it and put up a newer version. Make the title of the post "VERSION 1". Then anyone else, including you, can add "VERSION 2,3,4...etc".

M2c.