Bridgeport stepper motors mach 3 setup?

[wyobmf]

Hello,
Is anyone out there using mach 3 and Geckos to drive the bridgeport sigma or superior stepper motors?
If so what did you use for your IPM and Accel rate?

Mine keeps faulting my drives and I have no idea what the motors are supposed to sound like. I can make them very quiet and I can make them screem by changing the settings.
Thanks

[contractdesign]

I'm using Mach 3 and sigma motors. My velocity is set at 120 in / min and the accel is 4 in's. To be honest, I'm not sure if this is the optimal, but it runs smooth and is fast enough for what I'm doing.

Steve

[Rimmel]

I'm about to do the same setup (original steppers with Mach3/Gecko's+GRex), just waiting for the gecko's to ship.

Curious as to what voltages you guys are using, and wwobmf, what values are you trying (with what results) ?

Thanks.

[contractdesign]

I'm using a 48 VDC power supply for the gecko's

[wyobmf]

Thanks for the info.
I am running my Gecko's at 78 VDC, But I think they dont like it. They keep tripping. I have tried everything from 30 to 110 same results
Contractdesign,
Did you wire your motor windings in parrallel?
What do you use for the uS setting?
Thanks

[contractdesign]

I think your voltage is too high, even though the acceptable voltage is 80 vdc max, I wouldn't go near that. As I stated, I run mine with a power supply rated at 48 vdc, 8 amps. As far as the motor wiring, I connected them in half winding. I used the center tap and one terminal. There is a loss in high speed but it is fast enough for what I am doing. Maybe I'm wrong, but because of the age of the motors (1980's) I just do not feel comfortable pushing the voltage limits, and speed limits in the Mach 3, I run at 60 in/minalso I start the motors with a generous accel / decell ramp 1.4. As far as the step pulse Us my setting is at 0.

[wyobmf]

Yeah your probably right,
I think I will order a new transformer.

Thanks

[servocontroller]

I am unable to understand that why 2.1V and 9.8A is written at the back of my superior stepper motors and you are using then at 48V or so?????

[wyobmf]

You should run steppers at 3-25 times the rated voltage.
I run mine at 78 VDC.
Read this it explains.
http://www.geckodrive.com/photos/Step_motor_basics.pdf

[Paul in OK]

Hey guys, are we talking about running original Boss stuff with new drivers? I have to put up a series 1 Boss 4 (he thinks) out of a Vo-tech, but has had some of the electronics removed. Still has the the servos or steppers, whatever it came with originally. I know it is probably better to replace the electronics anyway, but was curious as to how much would have to be replaced.

[wyobmf]

Just so everyone knows,
I replaced the computer, the cable, and installed the nema 48 jumper in the Geckos. I slowed my IPM to 60 and the accel to 10 and they work fine now.
I think the problem was the laptop I was trying to run it with. I still have to kill some services like qtask.exe to get it work right.

Paul,
I am using everyting new except the steppers.
Combo-3 board, and Gecko 202's

[CozyGirrrl]

Just picked up a BP series 1, I believe BOS 4 and am ready to gut it. We'd like to just remove the two BOS control cabinettes and ebay them. We already use Mach 3, Gecko 210's and a Combo breakout board to run a lathe and small mill.

I want to build a new control box using the Cambell Designs Combo breakout boad, a VFD running off of 1ph 220, Gecko 210's.

I need a source and spec for the 2 HP VFD and for an appropriate torroid transformer, any help, links or pointers would be appreciated.

Regards, Chrissi
CG Products
www.CozyGirrrl.com