[JGanch]

I have the opportunity to convert my lathe with a pair of IMS MDrive34 Plus stepper motors, but I dont understand these motors yet. Has anyone here had success controlling these with Mach3?

Thank you!

[Jim Dawson]

I was going by the same quote you referenced above. I read that to mean that they will take step and direction input. I would send an email to the manufacturer to confirm.

The drive is built into the motor, so no separate drive required. It looks like you just supply 70VDC to the motor and everything else is built in.

You might also look at the Teknic ClearPath servos. Nice little units and easy to set up and I know for sure they take a step and direction input. I just recently retrofitted a CNC router with them.

[jfong]

Not every mdrive does step/direction. They make different versions that take ethernet, can bus, profitbus etc. You need to find the exact model number and verify that it is the step/direction input version.

Edit sorry I was looking at the Schneider Mdrive docs. The IMS MdrivePlus looks to be completely different

http://www.dynamicsolutionsusa.com/d.../MDI34Plus.pdf

The Plus is rs-485 the Plus2 looks to be step/direction capable but can't be sure since the datasheet isn't very clear about it.

[JGanch]

Thanks for the help guys. I called Schneider (Formerly IMS) and they confirmed that these particular motors wont take a step/direction input.

[UA_Iron]

The Mdrive MDM series will accept step/direction input.

MCM/MDI/MDO are other interfaces (Serial, Can, Ethernet etc) that as far as I know will not do coordinated motion necessary for a CNC.

There's a thread on here where a guy used the mdrives on his mill and they worked great. The plus2 version offers increased I/O and functionality.

The Mdrives are awesome steppers.

[Old_Phart]

This guy shows one in use. I too want to look into these. I'm gonna build a CNCRP chassis and these are what I would like to use.