[SwampDonkey]

Ok, Ive tried to post photobucket pics in every way imaginable and just gave up, so sorry for the lack of visuals (tips to accomplish this very welcome)

Anyway, I have several really great AC servos laying around but unfortunately im still learning the basics (I can make steppers work in my sleep and am currently studying DC and BLDC servos). But it seems like high-end AC servos are in a world of their own. Many are proprietary and will only work with drivers they were specifically designed to work with. On top of that it seems that many dont like the step/dir signals given by most of our hobby controller software and require tweaks and mods to work with our machines...However...

Can we simplify this by replacing the encoders with a more commonly supported version like the old HEDS or the new CUI capacitive encoders? Linear would be awesome as well. The majority of these servos have 4 pin connectors powering the motors so that may help. So in theory, would we be able to simplify these unity with an encoder swap and open the door to using more general/common/ less expensive servo drives?

Many thanks!