Newbie- Seeking input on choosing an upgrade path.

[Crevice Reamer]

A note on the subject of limit switches with stepper motors:

FIRST, Different tools have different heights. This makes it almost impossible to limit lower travel of a Z axis without also limiting your tool choices. Most mills don't NEED a lower travel limit switch on the Z axis.

On a SERVO system, If the servo hits the end of travel and stops, it will keep on trying to go until it quickly overtemps and destroys itself. So limit switches are ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY on a servo system.

On a STEPPER system, if the motor reaches end of travel and stops, it will simply stall. There is no danger to the motor unless it is traveling at a very high rate of speed. So in a conversion without ballscrews, the speed is most likely to be low enough to forego the use of limit switches.

Mach3 allows the set up of "software limits" which perform travel limiting quite adequately without added complexity.

CR.

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by Harryman If you need a Porche though, you need a Porche.

Nonsense.

You may need a 3/4 ton truck. You desire * a Porsche. Chasing precision for it's own sake is no bad thing as long as you're aware that's what your doing, It can be a desire thing.

*Unless you need to pick up women. There the Porsche has few equals

[philbur]

Yes but if you need to go round corners real fast you will NEED the Porche.

Phil

Originally Posted by cyclestart Nonsense. You may need a 3/4 ton truck. You desire * a Porsche. Chasing precision for it's own sake is no bad thing as long as you're aware that's what your doing, It can be a desire thing. *Unless you need to pick up women. There the Porsche has few equals

[Ron111]

Any links to info on the New Gecko 540 board?

Thanks,

Ron

[Crevice Reamer]

Get your coffee and snacks ready and settle in. This will take you awhile:

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51083

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by Ron111 Any links to info on the New Gecko 540 board? Thanks, Ron

Latest info with pics and manual on this page, post #892:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...462207#post892

CR.