Easy CNC 3 Axis Controller

[RPCElectronics]

I have been looking at controllers for a while now, to CNC my new X2 mill. This one keeps coming up on my radar:

www.easy-cnc.com * Your best option in driver boards for CNC machines

The Easy CNC 3 Axis controller. It looks nice and looks like it would be a good choice, but is it actually a good choice? Does anyone here have any experience with them?

If I was to go this route, I have already decided that I would install it in some kind of housing and then remote all of the connections out to panel mounted DB25 and DB9 connectors. I might even integrate the power supply into the housing and have a panel mounted standard 110 power cord socket to the outside.

Just looking for some opinions. Of course, I can always go the more expensive Gecko route, but if I can go with this, save some money and make the controller a little more customized to my liking, that would be nice.

Thanks!

EDIT: I have already built a smaller controller box based around the EasyDriver modules for a smaller project. So, this is what I am thinking along the lines of for this Easy CNC controller, just a lot bigger: https://picasaweb.google.com/ke4nyv/...eJ9JWthqiNgQE#

[Bob Adams]

Hi, Looks like a good Low Cost CNC project, you did a great job! What size stepper motors will work with your setup?
Cheers
Bob A
CNC Programming Software Tools

[doorknob]

Very nice job on the connector panel.

What did you use to create the DB9 and DB25 mounting holes?

Greenlee punches, or something else?

[RPCElectronics]

Hi, Looks like a good Low Cost CNC project, you did a great job! What size stepper motors will work with your setup?
Cheers
Bob A
CNC Programming Software Tools

These are the stepper motors that I am currently using with the X-Y table I built:

Stepper Motor with Cable - SparkFun Electronics

I would have to go back and check the specs on current capacity of the controllers I am using.

EDIT: Here is a direct link to the controller modules that I am using:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10267

Looks like they can handle up to 750mA of continuous current.

I currently have a single PCB solution designed in EagleCAD for all on-board components. Not sure if I am going to go that route. Having the ability to quick swap a bad module is much easier than removing a bad driver IC and reflowing a new one. We do stuff like that all of the time, but that is when we have the time to do it.

[RPCElectronics]

Very nice job on the connector panel.

What did you use to create the DB9 and DB25 mounting holes?

Greenlee punches, or something else?

Thanks! Yes, Greenlee punches for both the DB9 and DB25. After YEARS of cutting them by hand and fine tuning with files, thank God I have these punches now.

[doorknob]

Thanks! Yes, Greenlee punches for both the DB9 and DB25. After YEARS of cutting them by hand and fine tuning with files, thank God I have these punches now.

I feel your pain!

I just bought a DB9 punch from a different vendor, but have not yet tried it out: MK-9P Panel Punch For 9-Pin D-Subminiture | eBay

The Greenlee punches evidently need a single central hole, while I believe that the punch that I bought requires three (for the 25-pin one, at least). I'm going to try it out first before either getting some additional sizes or (gulp) springing the $$ for the Greenlees.

[Bob Adams]

I feel your pain!

I just bought a DB9 punch from a different vendor, but have not yet tried it out: MK-9P Panel Punch For 9-Pin D-Subminiture | eBay

The Greenlee punches evidently need a single central hole, while I believe that the punch that I bought requires three (for the 25-pin one, at least). I'm going to try it out first before either getting some additional sizes or (gulp) springing the $$ for the Greenlees.

When you get your CNC machine running, you could use this to make the panel.
Here a video to show how.
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE9r_kKeZV4"]YouTube - ‪G540panel.mp4‬‏[/nomedia]