*NEW* Alpha-step steppers and Shopbot (See Video)

[ynneb]

It has been bought to my attention these new steppers and thier great specs.

What's an AlphaStep motor? A new revolutionary 2-phase, hybrid, step motor and driver package, which eliminates missed steps, a common problem with stepping motors. The new AlphaStep uses a built-in feedback device that constantly monitors the motor shaft to detect and correct for loss of synchronism. Having the feedback device built in minimizes the size requirements for the motor and helps protect the device from shock loads and temperature extremes. The AlphaStep has very high response since it runs open loop under normal conditions and only runs in closed loop when a position deviation occurs. Easier to use than traditional servo systems the AlphaStep requires no gain tuning. Also, there is no hunting (the "jitter" that servo motors sometimes exhibit when trying to hold a position). The AlphaStep driver uses microstep control (up to 10,000 steps per revolution) to provide smooth, low-speed operation. - Press release from Oriental Motor.

You can see them in action here... http://www.shopbottools.com/PRTalpha.htm

The manufactures are here...
http://www.orientalmotor.com/products/stp/stp_astep.htm

Has any one had any first hand experience with these ?
Video will display below in a moment (3.3 Meg)

[Moondog]

Hey Ynneb... they look great.... how powerful are they for the price. I see they come with the drivers as well..... how do they compare with a servo system?..

[ger21]

Originally Posted by Moondog how do they compare with a servo system?..

They cost about 5 times more.

It seems like it works like a Gecko or Rutex system, but instead of faulting, it corrects itself? But $1000+ for the small ones, when you can get a Gecko and good new servo for around $400, or a Gecko 201 and a 440oz Vexta standard stepper, for under $300.

[ynneb]

Not that I am doubting you Gerry, but i wonder why they are been used on a budget machine like Shop-bot if they were so expensive ?

[ger21]

When the shopbot switched to those motors, there prices went up about $2000. I think that they made some other small changes too, to accomodate the increased speed. I believe they are now twice as fast as the old ones. They can cut up to 600 ipm (with an expensive spindle) and rapid at 1800ipm. The router we have at work was $140,000 6 years ago and can only cut around 450ipm. While not the most solid machines, you get a lot of bang for the buck.

The prices are on the pages if you follow the link you posted.

[ESjaavik]

New!? Revolutionary!?

I pulled one of those from an old, and I mean old hard disk about 20 years ago. You may have seen those disks, about the size of a washing machine. On the motor shaft it had a disk with 200 slots and it was a 200 step/rev motor. Made it very easy to do the feedback even using just 74.. gates. So this is old p**s in a new bottle.

[ynneb]

I am glad it gave you a laugh Esjaavik.
Sorry that todays serving wasnt up to your expectation.

Here is a picture of Dork street.

[ESjaavik]

@ynneb: I'm sorry if you feel offended, my apologies to you. The laugh was not on you, but on Oriental Motors that presents >20 years old concepts as "new" and "revolutionary".

[ynneb]

No No, never offended, was just having a bit of fun with you.

Wouldnt you want to sell up, if you lived on Dork street !

[HillBilly]

A P.O. Box # if nothing else!