New drive features & software

[Xerxes]

We have been working on new interesting features for VSD-E series.

One of most important feature is a dual axis DC servo firmware (DualDC). In other words, run two indepenent DC servo axis with one drive. Or build a 4 axis machine with just 2 drives. Price per axis is unbeatable by any currently available competing product.

Also new software has been developed. One of them is DCtool for easy dual axis DC motor setup. The second is a new firmware uploader (GDflasher) that eases firmware installation to drive.

[Montabelli]

how do you handle more than one encoder per drive?

[Xerxes]

There are two encoder inputs in ENC connector. Both are hardware counters with high speed and digital filtering. Encoders can be single ended or differential.

[Juka]

Is it possible to add backlash compensation to VSD-E ?

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Juka Is it possible to add backlash compensation to VSD-E ?

I haven't seen reason to implement that in drive because it's done in every controller application.

[Xerxes]

Since the drive has two encoder inputs, it would be also possible to support dual feedback (motor + linear encoder simultaneously, but without index pulses). Anyone interested about that?

[asuratman]

Xerxes,
If 2 motors driven with 1 drive that means we should use 2 ea smaller motors or we can use the same size motors for ea drive. Thanks. Asuratman.

[Juka]

Originally Posted by Xerxes I haven't seen reason to implement that in drive because it's done in every controller application.

You are right, but Mach and Smooth Stepper have some problems with that.

Just need to wait a new plugin...

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by asuratman Xerxes, If 2 motors driven with 1 drive that means we should use 2 ea smaller motors or we can use the same size motors for ea drive. Thanks. Asuratman.

With VSD-E DualDC you can drive 20A peak/8A cont @ 160VDC for each motor. With single DC motor the rating is 40A peak/14A cont @ 160VDC. These ratings are guaranteed with great safety margins, no need to worry about overloading drive.

[ihavenofish]

Originally Posted by Xerxes Since the drive has two encoder inputs, it would be also possible to support dual feedback (motor + linear encoder simultaneously, but without index pulses). Anyone interested about that?

i was pondering inexpensive glass scales for a mill coversion soon. was curious if i could use thouse with your drives.

so you are saying i could use both the rotary and linear at the same time? would that basically act as a redundancy check? say a belt pulley snaps, the drive "knows" and faults?

while im here, with the current drives, can i use a linear encoder alone? im planning on those cheapie ebay c7 ball screws. i though with the linear encoder, i would have absolute position, and not have to map the screw in the controller. sound reasonable?

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by ihavenofish i was pondering inexpensive glass scales for a mill coversion soon. was curious if i could use thouse with your drives. so you are saying i could use both the rotary and linear at the same time? would that basically act as a redundancy check? say a belt pulley snaps, the drive "knows" and faults? while im here, with the current drives, can i use a linear encoder alone? im planning on those cheapie ebay c7 ball screws. i though with the linear encoder, i would have absolute position, and not have to map the screw in the controller. sound reasonable?

Linear encoder can't be used alone unless you use linear motors. So rotary encoder is stil needed for stability against backlash & limited stiffness.

Linear encoder would be used as position feedback which efficiently eliminates all backlash and screw error. Such system is used in the most accurate machines.

[ihavenofish]

Originally Posted by Xerxes Linear encoder can't be used alone unless you use linear motors. So rotary encoder is stil needed for stability against backlash & limited stiffness. Linear encoder would be used as position feedback which efficiently eliminates all backlash and screw error. Such system is used in the most accurate machines.

so, with the drives you have for sale right now, i could not do linear encoders?

if so, when are the new ones coming, and will they cost more for the one with that feature?

thanks