[ranman]

Does anyone have experience with them?
I am still in the process of trying to decided on drives ...
Atleast just some starter drives until I have the money to move up to Gecko's or ?

Has anyone used the Parallel Port Interface Card from CNC4PC and the Electronic Utopia Bi Polar Card to control 3+ axis?

Just looking for any input.

I have been leaning towards ArcSin (www.buildyouridea.com) ...
But want to consider all bi-polar options first.

Thanks in advance :wave:

[jerber]

I only have experience with PICStep,www.fromorbit.com/projects/picstep/. I've built one so far and it's working realy great.
When I get all parts this or next week, I'll complete the remaining two.
Building a PICStep is relatively easy and cheap but you have to make your own pcbs.
And for a interface to your parallel port, I've put some optocouplers on a piece of prototype board. The PICStep has also microstepping so maybe you don't need to move up to a Gecko.

[DieGuy]

I have been using a Xylotex on my setup with great success using 270 oz-in automation direct steppers. My PSU is 28.7 vdc and the setup is adequate and a good value for the money.

[ranman]

Thanks for the additional info guys! (Keep it coming)
The 276 oz/in Automation Direct steppers are the ones I am planning on using ...
After deciding those were the ones I would go with ...
I found out Automation Direct is located about 2 miles from my house - lol
I couldn't believe it ... which means I have to pay tax but no shipping.

What matierial(s) are you working with?
I am planning on plexi/plastic/delrin and aluminum.

Also, are you running them at the full +/- 2.8 A/phase?
Or at 2.5 A/phase?

So ...
The Xylotex may be an option with the motors I am planning on

In regards to the PICStep ...
While I am not 100% opposed to eching my own boards ...
However, I would prefer to either buy a board already etched.
I don't mind populating a board at all.
So the PICStep is still a possibility if it saves money and/or offers something I need. (How much did it cost to build the one board?)


One such board that I ran across was the EAS MicrostepPLD (or the Microstep)...
http://www.embeddedtronics.com/microsteppld.html
While I would have to build two boards in order to have three axis ...
That would leave a fourth axis available for future use.
I just need to figure out what it would cost parts wise to build one to see if they are worth considering too.

[ranman]

I have a question regarding the Xylotex and the power supply.
I already have a 24VDC power supply and it has a inline relay rated at 25A.

Please forgive my ignant question ...
I know the voltage rating is safe ...
But ...
Would this power source be safe to use since the relay is rated at 25A?
Or would the higher amperage cause damage to the board?

I guess the answer really helps me(and anyone else) with any of the boards but the Xylotex is the one that prompted checking the power supplies I have.

[ger21]

Do you mean fuse when you say relay? The Xylotex will only draw as much current as it needs. Having a higher current supply won't hurt anything.

The nice thing about the embeddedtronics board, is you can run it at double the voltage of the Xylotex, which should double the top speed you'll be able to get.

[DieGuy]

Thanks for the additional info guys! (Keep it coming)
What matierial(s) are you working with?
I am planning on plexi/plastic/delrin and aluminum.

Also, are you running them at the full +/- 2.8 A/phase?
Or at 2.5 A/phase?

So ...
The Xylotex may be an option with the motors I am planning on

Steel & aluminum on a Taig Milling machine

I have mine backed off a bit from maximum. The Xylotex likes my 28.7 VDC (20VAC transformers) supply but if you set the board to the max Vref setting to get the current MAX then it tends to overheat. The MAX Vref that controls the current is 3.6 vdc but I have mine set to 3.45 vdc. If I had it to do over I would build the supply with a 24VAC transformer which would have made the peak volts around 31.5 - 32 VDC. The Xylotex will is rated @ 35VDC with BEMF (Motor generated voltages) Any more and you will let the magic blue smoke out of the parts.

[DieGuy]

Do you mean fuse when you say relay? The Xylotex will only draw as much current as it needs. Having a higher current supply won't hurt anything.

The nice thing about the embeddedtronics board, is you can run it at double the voltage of the Xylotex, which should double the top speed you'll be able to get.

Yeah I looked at them and they seem very nice, but I don't think my soldering skill would make it. :wave:

[ger21]

If I had it to do over I would build the supply with a 24VAC transformer which would have made the peak volts around 31.5 - 32 VDC. The Xylotex will is rated @ 35VDC with BEMF (Motor generated voltages) Any more and you will let the magic blue smoke out of the parts.

You really shouldn't run a Xylotex over 30V. 32V will probably let the smoke out as well. 35V is the absolute maximum, there is no extra room for error there.

[ranman]

Do you mean fuse when you say relay? The Xylotex will only draw as much current as it needs. Having a higher current supply won't hurt anything.

The nice thing about the embeddedtronics board, is you can run it at double the voltage of the Xylotex, which should double the top speed you'll be able to get.

Thanks - That is what I thought .. but I also know what assuming things can do ... lol

It's a relay and not a fuse ...
OMRON G7L-2A-TUB-J-CB-DC24 (Or a close variant used in Danka Fax/Copiers)
Actual number is G7L-2A-TUBJ ... rated at 24VDC
So based off the info at ... http://oeiwcs.omron.com/webapp/comme...73&prmenbr=316

It appears to be a 25A relay ...

There is a switch hooked up to the relay to turn power on and off.
I will just need to rig a button to cover/press the lever or maybe replace the existing switch with a toggle or rocker.

For what its worth - the power supply was salvaged from a Danka/Xerox Fax Machine.

[ranman]

Well ... I am now open to either the Xylotex or embeddedtronics boards too
So I can decide if they are viable options or not, I need to figure out how much it would cost me to make the EAS boards.

DieGuy - It's good to know that your doing Aluminum(and steel) with the Automation Direct 276 oz/in and Xylotex.

[ranman]

For anyone following this ...

The EAS boards are worth a look and may be what I go with (Depending on the budget when I click "buy")...
They are right there with the Xylotex, and other options.

Right now I have 4 possible boards/combos I may go with (in no order):
1. Xylotex
2. ArcSin
3. EAS
4. CNC4PC/Electronic Uptopia (Breakout/Bi-Polar Driver)

Each one has it's advantages from being cheaper to offering better performance for not much more cost.

Gecko's are a given choice .. but out of the price range I am currently looking at.
I want to stay under $225 if possible ... and, if it's do-able, under $150 is even better.

From digging a little deeper in this forum - Ok all the way through it :banana:

It's looking like I will be going with Xylotex (atleast to begin with) and maybe add a EAS board later if I decide to add a 4th or 5th axis.
But If I can find the extra $$, I may just go ahead with the EAS to begin with.

I would still like to hear about any other options there may be ..
The options are nice to know, whether it helps myself or someone else decide.

[ger21]

Did you figure out the price of the EAS boards yet?
What kind of machine are you using these with? With a mini mill, the Xylotex is probably all you need. And can't be beat for the money. The Arcsin's ability to use 48V makes it pretty attractive. But it's new and I haven't heard any feedback on it yet. But it was tested a long time before it was released.
Do the Electronic Utopia drives have microstepping, and are they choppers? It doesn't look like either. Microstepping is very desireable to have. It will give you much smoother running motors.

[ranman]

I figured out the CPLD board based on current DigiKey prices.
I actually calculated cost based on two boards because a few of the components have a minimum qty ... and I knew that I would need two boards anyway.

Total cost including 2 boards w/CPLD's: $203 + shipping
So definitely a good deal for a four axis set up with the ratings even after you add in a break out board.

Cost for 1 board(2 axis) would probably be around $110 - $120.

I didn't calc the other EAS board (the PIC board) - they have a PDF file with a price break down online and also a quick link to a shopping cart list.
As of 1/27/05(I think) they had component prices per board estimated at approx $52.
Then add in the cost of the board at $10.
If you want a preprogrammed PIC add $7
(take $3 from the $52 for the pic on that list ... add $10 to the board)

So, I would guess for a 3 axis EAS PIC, the price would be around $170-$180

In regards to the Electronic Utopia boards and having Microstepping or being Choppers ...
I don't know - I have been trying to find out ...
I have not received a response to any of the emails I sent to them.
That was part of the reason I started this thread - to find out exactly what type of board they are and the spec's

The ArcSin is some where in the middle ground right now.
It's the step/choice before I just say - what the heck - and just go with Gecko's.
But ithe ArcSin was originally my first choice - and the only reason it isn't anymore is because of the Xylotex being $145 vs $225.

As you can probably tell, I am walking a fine line between Xylotex, ArcSin and EAS ...
Right now my wallet is making the decision ...

The Electronic Utopia may have been included too, if I had received a response from them or found some info here.
It still could be added if I find out it is a chopper and offers Microstepping.

[pminmo]

I don't know what your fabrication capabilities for pcb's are but you might take a look at this post. (board details are at my website)

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=134

Phil

[ranman]

Phil,

I've never made(etched) a PCB ...
But don't see myself as not being able to do it.
The Photo/Sensitized boards could be within what I am willing to do to make a board. Who knows I may even venture into the acid route .. but would rather not.

Preferrably sticking with a single sided board.

I had already looked at your site before and was not sure if I wanted to go that route or not - based on the cost of making 3+ boards. vesrse buying pre-made boards or a board already assembled.

Doing my own boards is still a possible option - but I would need/want to figure out the cost/performance advantages to see if I could justify it.

I am going to ask a question before researching to find out (since you should have a quick answer I hope).

What are the benefits of the 3977 vs. a 297/298 board?
Also is there a 3 axis version of either one the 3977 or 297/298?

Thanks in advance

[fyffe555]

When pricing the EAS or PicStep components remember that you can get the Pic and the LMD18245's free as samples directly from the manufacturer, which saves a few bucks. With the pic you will obviously need to program it.

Andrew

[pminmo]

ranman,
The 3977 does microsteppig and the 297/298 on does full/half. You can run higher power supply voltage with 297/298 new version. 297/8 is much easier to solder. The only three axis version of either is in my basement in debug and driving me nuts because of using the small version of the 3977 and it's almost impossible to solder without special tools.

Phil

[ger21]

In case you didn't know, the 3977 board is basically the same as a Xylotex. Both use the 3977 chip. So the EAS boards can still have a significant performance advantage due to the double max voltage.

[pminmo]

Ger21 is correct, if you want to get the max from your stepper, using one of the baords that use the LMD18245's will get you the max out of that stepper. That would be either a picstep or embedded electronics board.

Phil