Stepper Drivers/Electronics choice - advice please!

[keen]

Hi There

I am building a small NC Mill with 2 Nema 23 and 1 Nema 34 stepper motors - using Mach 3 as the controller and with only one homing switch per axis.I want to do full 3D work with all axis running ex Mach3 - My power supply is 240 v AC single phase.

I struggle to fully understand what parts I would need from the info on the suppliers web site.

I would much appreciate it - if someone with good experience could recommend the minimum electronic componants I would need (stepper drivers,power supply etc, etc) with accuracy, simplicity, reliability and ease of replacement in mind.

Many thanks

[trajan]

Try reading this thread. It contains major discussion by Richards, someone in the know.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36678

[keen]

Thanks Trajan - I will study it in detail. Gecko sounds the way to go.

[trajan]

Originally Posted by keen Thanks Trajan - I will study it in detail. Gecko sounds the way to go.

Keen, there are lots of different ways to drive steppers and servos. My research shows that the most expensive way is to incorporate GECKOs. On the other hand the GECKO 203V, short for vampire, can't be killed according to the developer.

A DC power supply is also required as well as a parallel port breakout board.

Good luck.

Richard

[keen]

Thanks Richard - The link posted by Trajan helped me to understand about the various componants - and lead me on to discover Keling package deals. any thoughts on how they stack up would be very welcome. The prices seem very good and include the stepper motors, power supply, drivers, break out board and fan.

[Smitty911]

Keen,

I'm glad that my lack of knowledge and willingness of other members to help others, will get more on board with these machines.

I choose the Geckos due the my lack of understanding of all things electrical. They are more than the Keling, but all of the + feedback, ability to handle larger motors (in the future, maybe) lead me to use them. I could have saved some money on Power supply, controller, breakout board, etc. etc. but I wanted the most robust setup in case I did something wrong. That is not to say anything negitive about the keling, They have excellent feedback as well and I ordered my motors and Geckos though them.

Smitty