Newbie questions -PC Boards

[lemonyx]

HI there,

Been lurking and reading for a little while. I have thought of doing my own boards from scratch. I've built a couple in the past.

On this site, Pminmo, he has several boards and I'm trying to make heads and tails of everything.

To hook up to the PC, you need one of these interface boards, right http://pminmo.com/4axis/4axisinterface.htm , then from here you hook one of these driver boards to the interface http://pminmo.com/ss3977/ss3977.htm then the motore hooks into this.

Will I be able to use these motor with these boards? 640 oz 2.3 volt 5.5 amp nema 34 , http://www.homeshopcnc.com/page3.html This will be my first machine but I figure I can take most of the hardware with me for the 2nd build. (Haven't even started and thinking about the next build, I want to use the first machine to cut out parts for the 2nd)

There are so many (for me) different software for CAD/CAM. I have Acad 16 but have not used it for 5yrs - so am very rusty, what about Turbo cnc and Mach3? Any other ideas? I know basicaly you have to draw the part out, convert it to Gcode and that will tell the machine what to do.

TIA

[keebler303]

Phil says the 3977 has a max of 2.5 amps. there are other drivers on his site which will handle the 5 amps though

[lemonyx]

Thank you - good catch I did not think of that

[pminmo]

lemonyx,
You have pretty well analyzed it correctly, except I don't have a driver board at this time that will do 5.5A bipolar. I continue to work that direction, but I have to admit it's taking longer than I thought. It's not the technology, it's my time availability and my target. In my quest for a two high current higher voltage microstepping controllers, (both unipolar and bipolar) that is less expensive for the hobbiest, my designs are evolving in a direction I hadn't anticipated regarding microstepping, it's shortcommings, and it's strengths. I don't want to elaborate more, as I'm already months behind. But I'm trying something that I'm kind of excited about.....but not ready to say is ready for prime time.

[lemonyx]

Phil

Thank you for your time to answer. What about the L297 Chopper Unipolar Driver - never mind you said bipolar . Since I am in the planning stage and have not bought anything yet, what motor would you reconmend that is in the same oz range of 640? I'll have to read up again on bi/uni polar motors again

I would still like to use your 4 axis interface (saving the 4th for later on), what would you reconmend for a diy driver bd that will "interface" with your 4 axis bd?

Too bad there are only 24hrs in a day - but then we would be walking zombies

[pminmo]

How big of a machine are you planning for first and second? materials it is made of and will be cutting?

[lemonyx]

The first will be a variation of jgro's http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6054 , then 2nd will be like Joe's 2006, cutting mostly acrylic "rounds" ie flanges and lids form .250 to .500 thk material for saltwater acrylic filtration type equipment, and some alum.

Just don't want to be underpowered - but if I can use a smaller oz/in motor and still do what I want, that would be great

[pminmo]

I can't speek to the quality of the motors, but you should be able to use a nema 23 size: http://kelinginc.net/SMotorstock.html
The STP-MTR-23079 at http://web5.automationdirect.com/adc/Home/Home is also a popular motor. The kelinginc motors being 8 wire are more flexable. i.e. can be run either unipolar or bipolar.