I'm sorry, good to be back, and connectors, anyone?

[mike@mikebeck.o]

First, I must appologize for, "Eating and running". Shortly after my first few posts, which resulted in many helpful replys, I dissappeared without due reciprocation. My wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and well, priorities were rearanged. Of a type where treatment has a high success rate, and no small amount of credit given to the prayers of many, the world over, improvment has been such that I have been able to return to the shop, and do so with peace of mind! So, thank you all. It feels good to be able to put my CNC hat back on! That said,....................................
There has been much said about, and no small amount of controversy, concerning using connectors to attach stepper motors to cables and controllers. This being in large part due to the SLA7078 driver chip. Allot of controllers utilize this chip, and allot of them have the same issue. The chip being ruined from disconnecting or connecting motor wiring with any voltage still present. The current stored in the electrolytic capacitors being sufficient to do this. Having to wait for this current to disipate goes a long ways towards defeating the advantages of using connectors, as well as a non-locking connector unintensionally seperating. There are SO many different connectors, and a LARGE number of locking connectors, AREN'T! After doing ALLOT of looking, and purchasing more, "Samples", (I remember when samples meant, "Free")-: then I care to total up, I've chosen what, at least for me, is the best, overall, solution. FINALLY coming to the end of THAT road, I realized I was only half way there, needing to solve the, "Blown driver chip problem".
THAT part of the equation now being complete, here's what I came up with. http://www.mikebeck.org
Again, thanks to evryone for their replys to my requests of, well, it's probably been at least, 2 months ago. It is my sincere hope and desire that nothing will befall me this time, to prevent my, "Sticking around", to participate in kind!
Thanks in advance for all of your input!
All the best of the best to the best!
Mike Beck

[CarlosC]

Do you sell the connectors separately? How much?
If not, can you point me to the ones you use?

[mike@mikebeck.o]

I get these direct from China, via the chap that ownes the "Board-house" I use. Minimum order is 1000, and the only crimper I've found that would work is the proprietary semi-auto, at $1200. Even with the handles on a factory Molex crimper extended 14", I still could not crimp the knives. They are very heavy gage phospher bronze, gold plated, and are hardened, it feels like. Probably so they can't bend. How many did you need, and do you think you can crimp them? Problem is, is that if they're not crimped down very tight, and end up with the correct profile, they won't fit in the housing. I know it sounds like a hassel, but they are worth it. No comparison! Mike

[CarlosC]

Originally Posted by mike@mikebeck.o How many did you need, and do you think you can crimp them? Problem is, is that if they're not crimped down very tight, and end up with the correct profile, they won't fit in the housing. I know it sounds like a hassel, but they are worth it. No comparison! Mike

I have a four motor machine. All I need is a male/female set at each motor. But if you need a proprietary crimper then there is no way I'll be able to crimp them. You might consider selling sets with say 4-6 inches of wire attached. Then we could just solder to existing wires. I'm assuming these are 4 wire connectors?

[mike@mikebeck.o]

Sorry, they are 6 wire connectors. I think you might be able to see that on this page.
http://www.mikebeck.org/cnccontroller1.html I use these connectors because they are THEE best I've found, however, that's not to say that there aren't many other options available, many being adequate. Most generic crimpers will crimp standard Molex pins, as well as the numerous Molex "Clone" type pins. You might want to consider perusing some of the major suppliers on-line catalogs. www.digikey.com www.mouser.com www.alliedelec.com to name a few. I have ordered from those 3, and have no complaints. Digikey ships small orders within an hour of your placing it.

All the best
Mike Beck

[m1911bldr]

Here's a link to a series of connectors from Hirose. They are all excellent quality. The "Milspec" connectors are used in aircraft and NEVER come apart. All the locking connectors are very positive-lock. We have used them in our race car for GPS, radio and vidoe connections for over 5 years and tehy have never come loose.
http://www.hirose-connectors.com/con...tors.aspx?p1=1
- and they are all available with solder-cup pins so no proprietary or other crimplers needed.

[mxtras]

Here is a cut from my extensive list of web links. This is unsorted and not recently verified, but I spent quite a bit of time looking for plugs and connectors when I was doing my mill.

http://www.glenair.com/index.htm - mil spec and other connectors
http://www.alvatek.com/cms/products - connectors – very helpful site for M.S., AMP
http://www.partsexpress.com – XLR type connectors, online pricing
http://www.iccdirect.com – not all that great but another site
http://www.switchcraft.com/products/...or-search.html - lots of connectors, you gotta dig
http://www.mpja.com/listcat.asp?dept=83 – wide variety, online pricing


What I ended up using was from Mouser electronics.

Allied electronics is another good source.

Scott