[louieatienza]

Check out this new Leadshine 3-axis drive solution. It doesn't look like it's out yet, but the specs are pretty impressive. All digital, up to 60VDC and 6A, 200kHz max frequency, DB25 connector, built-in heatsink, and DIP switch settings for current and microsteps. Wondering how much this is going to cost, but to me it looks like an alternative to the venerable G540....

Leadshine Technology Co., Ltd.

[pippin88]

Automation technologies (keling) are advertising it for $250, in stock from October 20
http://www.automationtechnologiesinc...ax-60-vdc-6-0a

Looks like a good competitor to G540 but can drive higher current motors. Downside being 3 drivers rather than 4, so not for 4 axis or dual drive on x axis machines.

[ger21]

Looks like they'll be getting them in about 3 weeks. They really shouldn't have went 4 axis, if they want to get the G540 business from the router crowd.

[CarveOne]

Looks like the only thing it's missing from the spec list versus Gecko drives is automatic morphing of microsteps. I think it should have been 4 axis.

Now Gecko needs to release a G540-HD with more amps, better heat sink, more voltage, more I/O, lower cost. Wait, that last one probably won't be possible.

[louieatienza]

I don't know if not having 4 axes is a deal braker, as there are many DIY machines out there that aren't using that 4th axis anyway. It pribably would be a great choice for smal to medium sized mills as well...

As to microstep morphing, I believe the nature of this drive using DSP and proprietary stepper algorithms negates that need, as my primitive tests and observations indicate. Since Leadshine's DSP drives are capable of higher microstep count, I found it is extremely smooth at lower speeds, yet I still had more top end speed and apparantly more torque compared to my G540 with the same power supply, while the motors remain quieter at idle.

[dmalicky]

It pribably would be a great choice for smal to medium sized mills as well...

That sounds like the target market to me, too.

Since Leadshine's DSP drives are capable of higher microstep count, I found it is extremely smooth at lower speeds, yet I still had more top end speed and apparantly more torque compared to my G540 with the same power supply, while the motors remain quieter at idle.

Interesting!