CNC-Joe
10-12-2009, 08:59 AM
Well Group, I've been mulling this over for a while.. converting my SuperMax YMC-30 CNC Milling Machine. It has a working Anilam "Crusader II" controller on it.. but for what I want to do - the controller is memory limited (albeit incredibly functional for a product of the mid 1980's ... hats off to Anilam).
The Anilam is older (386 based)... and just not able to do what I want to do with the machine (Mainly drop gobs and gobs and gobs of G-code to it.... )
Therefore I am trying to decide which way to go with the retofit.. Larken, Gecko, etc.
I have had very good luck with Gecko stepper controllers on lesser powered applications... and I could downgrade the voltage and run Gecko 320's..
After thinking about it .. I decided not to drop the power to the cnc in favor of the Gecko's ..as I'm like Tim the Toolman - and I always side on things having "More Power".....
Therefore I started looking at all the aftermarket stuff available to the home DIY'er on a somewhat of a ShoeString budget....
I am leaning toward the Larken's after calling Larken up and actually talking one on one with Larry Kenny - founder of LarKen .. Larry is incredibly knowledgeable, and has built his controllers for the high powered user. I like that. I want to keep the power going to my servo's.. and keep that table fully moving..
I'm going to do a very detailed build log and probably put it in a PDF format and put it out on the CNC-Zone, so others can benefit from it.
Has anyone done a Larken conversion of an Anilam system?
If so - please contact me here.
Anxious to get that beast upgraded,
Joe
The Anilam is older (386 based)... and just not able to do what I want to do with the machine (Mainly drop gobs and gobs and gobs of G-code to it.... )
Therefore I am trying to decide which way to go with the retofit.. Larken, Gecko, etc.
I have had very good luck with Gecko stepper controllers on lesser powered applications... and I could downgrade the voltage and run Gecko 320's..
After thinking about it .. I decided not to drop the power to the cnc in favor of the Gecko's ..as I'm like Tim the Toolman - and I always side on things having "More Power".....
Therefore I started looking at all the aftermarket stuff available to the home DIY'er on a somewhat of a ShoeString budget....
I am leaning toward the Larken's after calling Larken up and actually talking one on one with Larry Kenny - founder of LarKen .. Larry is incredibly knowledgeable, and has built his controllers for the high powered user. I like that. I want to keep the power going to my servo's.. and keep that table fully moving..
I'm going to do a very detailed build log and probably put it in a PDF format and put it out on the CNC-Zone, so others can benefit from it.
Has anyone done a Larken conversion of an Anilam system?
If so - please contact me here.
Anxious to get that beast upgraded,
Joe