Mach3 Plugin for Ethernet Smoothstepper

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01-27-2012, 12:16 AM
dwilson26

Mach3 Plugin for Ethernet Smoothstepper

Newbe Here,
Surely this has been asked and answered before, but I can't find it.
Planning to build CNC Router/Plasma Torch cutting table. Most of my computers use Win 7 64-Bit OS. Looking into using Ethernet Smoothstepper with Mach3. There does not appear to be a lot of information about ESS. Do I need a plugin or driver installed on my computer. The plugin's available for Smoothstepper all seem to be for the USB version.
I am early in the planning so I could use feedback on my choices.
I have TurboCad Premium and CAM for TurboCAD.
Yet to look into a BOB, Motors or Motor Drivers.

Thanks for the Help!

Dave
01-31-2012, 05:59 PM
KOC62

ESS

I just got my ethernet smooth stepper. Also haven't hooked it up but is a work in progress.
I used this info: Untitled 1
01-31-2012, 06:53 PM
dwilson26

Ethernet Smoothstepper

Thanks for the help, this is just the information I was hoping to find.
Look forward to hearing about your project and how you like the ESS.
I have yet to decide on a BOB, motor controllers or motors.
01-31-2012, 07:35 PM
KOC62

Ethernet Smooth Stepper (ESS)

Glad it was useful to you.

My diy cnc is more of a proof-of-concept since I don't know yet what I want to make with it. I did have a desire for milling PCBs.

My reason for choosing the ESS was that I had bought a Gecko G540 4-axis controller which has 10 micro-stepping feature. What I didn't realize at the time was that in order to get 100 IPM jog rate the direct drive motor must run at 1100RPM. At this RPM and 10 micro-steps requires a step frequency of 36.7KHZ. Mach_3 might get 45KHZ with my computer. To allow the potential of higher RPM, I decided for a device that could go much faster without pushing Mach_3 to the edge. Hence the choice of ESS which can do 4MHZ step pulse rates. The ESS can fully drive the G540 to its 300KHZ max. pulse rate.

I also realize that my lead screw may well whip at the higher rates and I did get slight whipping around 1200 RPM using an electric drill for testing. Once you know the limits of each device, you can then assess the limits of performance and know where the "bottlenecks" are. I can live with my current design choices at this point.