I have a Taig CNC machine and am upgrading my drivers soon. I have been looking around and everyone recommends Gecko with my current stepper motors.

Someone had mentioned too me that I would be one of the first users too use EMC with Gecko drivers. What are the problems that may arise? I really would like too use EMC still, I love the program and have been using it for about 7 months.

Will I run into problems using Gecko's on my machine trying too run my Taig machine?


-Jason

You are not the first person - by a long shot..

It will be fine.

http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Stepper_Drive_Timing

sam

Gecko is one of the smoothest running drives and works well with EMC. There are thousands of Geckos being run with EMC. I'm using the G203v drives with my plasma cutter and would not use anything else with steppers. They are well worth the money. If you drive a tank over your Gecko drive and return it they will replace it free! The 203v has the shortest timing requirements so you can get the most speed from them with software step generation. They also morph from 10 microsteps at slow speed to single steps at high speed that way you get the best performance at any speed. There is a new drive coming out that is a lower voltage and much lower cost so if your limited to < 50v for some reason I would wait a week or three for them...

John

He said you'd be one of the first with the new Gecko 540's. :)

That makes sense.. Still - should not be a problem :)

He said you'd be one of the first with the new Gecko 540's. :)

Only if he is first in line :)

AFAIK the 540 is a 4 axis scaled down 203v with DB connectors and a parallel port connector for $299... Can it get any easier?

John

Only if he is first in line :)


Does this mean you're buying? :)

The "someone" was me. If you've read about the grief speedscustom has had with other drives my concern might maker more sense. This includes a couple of Xylotex drives. Xylotex are a low end drive but have given good service on my machine. Even though he gave a heroic effort and got a lot of good intentioned advice they just wouldn't perform for him. Knowing another emc user is setting up with the G540 makes the decision easier.

I also intend to try the G540. Will probably wait till they hit the resellers shelves and some feedback starts to come in. I'm more of a follower than trailblazer.

Cyclestart- I will have a huge review on the 540's. While I'm waiting for them too be released. I started stripping down the machine for cleaning and lubing and maintenance:)

I may also try the leadscrew conversion. Something I have been thinking about.


I think it was the xylotex system and stepper combination. I had it wired in a way that wasn't the best, but thought it was the only way without frying the board.

I look forward too the better Geckos.


You will be seeing work from me in the Benchtop forum, keep an eye out :)


-Jason

Does this mean you're buying? :)

If I had an application for one I would buy the 540.

John

I'm buying them :)


It's nice that you get that 4th axis too! Could maybe finally put an indexer on or something.


-Jason