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IndustryArena Forum > CNC Electronics > Servo Motors / Drives > PWM brushless servo drives- what do I need to run them?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    474

    PWM brushless servo drives- what do I need to run them?

    This may be a silly question but what are my options as a garage CNC machinist in providing PWM signals to brushless drivers? I dont think Mach can do it, does this leave linuxcnc as the best home option?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    119
    Do you already have the drivers?
    If so what is the signal it requires.

    Mach does outputs a pwm signal This shouldn't be a problem
    A PWM signal is a TTL level logic signal Which is the same if produced by Mach or Linux.

    Mike

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    369
    Well, if your drives need PWM and direction signals, then you probably can use the Pico Systems universal
    PWM controller. See Pico Systems : 1. Universal PWM Controller [UPC] - $250.00
    for more info. This works with LinuxCNC.

    Jon

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    474
    Well wouldnt this allow PWM amps to be run with step/dir controllers?

    Pico Systems : 4-axis Digital to Analog Converter [DAC16] - $200.00

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    369
    Quote Originally Posted by SwampDonkey View Post
    Well wouldnt this allow PWM amps to be run with step/dir controllers?

    Pico Systems : 4-axis Digital to Analog Converter [DAC16] - $200.00
    No, because the Pico Systems Universal PWM Controller does not accept step and direction signals. It
    reads the encoder position and reports that back to LinuxCNC, and then is sent a new PWM value
    for each axis. There are no steps anywhere in the system, just position and velocity. it can run
    a lot more smoothly and accurately that way, and the PC always knows where the machine is.
    Because it is closed loop, you can even E-stop, move the machine manually, and then go back
    to CNC mode without having to reset the coordinates.

    The board you mention above is just part of an analog velocity servo interface, and is not designed to
    be used all by itself. Again, it sends a velocity command (as an analog signal) to a velocity servo
    amp as commanded by the computer.

    Jon

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