Standalone Stepper Control

[WeCheat]

I was wondering if any one made a standalone controller for stepper motors. Basically what I’m looking for is something that I do not have to hook up my computer during the construction phase of my new plasma Cutter.
Thanks

[whateg01]

I have seen several people with joystick type controls, but those probably rely on a computer connection. I am using a simple 555 timer circuit with a variable frequency and a spdt switch to control the speed of movement. This goes into the "step" line of the driver board. Then, I have another switch connected to the "direction" input on the driver board that either pulls that input high for one direction or low for the other direction.

If that gets too technical, let me know and I will try to simplify it.

Dave

[WeCheat]

you lost me after " I have seen several people " I was looking at this http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14095 and thinking if no one made Standalone Control I could use it (real cheep if I let out the magic smoke) and HAVE someone make a small thingy that would send the control pulses to it when I pushed a momentary switch. I don’t won’t to hook up the good stuff until I am farther along in the project .I thought it would be easier to work around as it would be relatively small, no software setups, you know something just test the drive system and steppers with and (K.I.S.S approach). I think I may have lost myself in my own reply . :-)

[whateg01]

I am not familiar with that device. I am still fairly new to this whole cnc thing myself.

I work with electronics all day, so it's just second nature for me to discuss the circuits needed to do some of this stuff.

How many axes do you want to be able to control at once with your test box?

Dave

[WeCheat]

Just one to test with. A small power supply, so all I have to do is plug it in the wall and start working the motor. I just want to keep away from having everything scattered on a work bench wondering whether it’s the computer, board, or software for the stepper motor. I notice you have a sprint car avatar. You a racer? Thanks for the replies

[whateg01]

Fan for awhile. Crew chief'd for a guy for a couple of years before the money well dried up. (wife divorced him. - actually good for her!) Sat out a couple of years, then pitted for another driver/owner last year. Don't know what I'll be next year, as we had a pretty tough year last season equipment-wise.

Sounds like the circuit I'm using would be just right for you.

Dave

[pminmo]

I have built one for my boards, and it is invaluable. Bascially a simple oscillator a pot and a couple of switches. But it your not wiring wise it won't do you much good.

[whateg01]

Do you have a pinout (description of each pin) for the connection to your drivers?

With that somebody could perhaps put something together and instruct you on how to connect it.

Dave

[pminmo]

I suspect he wants something from the db25 perspective?

[whateg01]

Phil,
As you probably know I am not real familiar with that end of things. (Heck, I'm just now getting familiar with the working end.) Is there any kind of standard for the computer interface?

Dave

[Olsson]

Hi, here is olsson Iam new in this group I wanna now how can I do to send one post to everybody , but anyway I need fanuc 6m parameters manual.
thanks

[pminmo]

Olson,
start a new thread from the formum home page:http://www.cnczone.com/forums/index.php

Dave,
The closest thing to a standard is the parallel port on a pc. In that I mean the db25 signal i/o the PC uses. Most of the software is configurable as to what pin is x step, ydir, etc. Look at my website on the parallel port link:
http://pminmo.com/pport/pport.htm

The pretty much stick to pins as defined in the original PP spec for in's and outs. (I just noted a foopah, DB26F s/b DB25F)