how to tell wether or not a driver will work with mach software

[derkiow]

hello forum , i am in the process of building a cnc millling machine and i heard a lot of people rave about mach software ,but how do you tell wether or not your stepper motor driver is compatible . i am thinking of buying some msd980 drivers from motion control products, as i am based not far from their office in the uk , but will they work on mach3 say? ,,,,,,,,,all the best derk

[ger21]

If they accept step and direction signals, then most likely they'll work.

[fyffe555]

Mach2 & 3 puts out a step and direction signal to the drivers together with other optional signals. The MSD980's accept a pulse (step), direction and enable, so yes mach 2, 3 and turbocnc can drive these drivers. Just need to wire them up to a pc parallel port and configure the appropriate pins..

Andrew

[vacpress]

From looking at the datasheet for this motor driver (http://chinesemotors.com/redirect.ph...fb73de19890e8a) I am about 95% sure this driver will work fine with Mach software, turbo CNC, and any other controller that outputs step and direction outputs.. This means the software controls the stepper by sending a pulse for each graduated motion intended. The direction pin reverses the drivers high-voltage stepper-rotation pulse sequences - thereby changing the direction of movement.

This driver looks fine, keep in mind your CNC machine will probably not use more than 8 or 10X microstepping, and this will be limtied by your computers speed.

Hope that helps. Also hope one of the gurus around here catches this if it is in some way incorrect. But, at least its a quick answer. Personally, if I needed them and they were local, I would probably risk it.. Or better, call them and ask if their drivers will work with a standard 'TTL step and direction signal' They will almost surely say 'oh yes. Our drives have a step\direction mode, and a phase-drive mode.'

Robert

[derkiow]

thank you all for your help,,,,,,, is there a info site any where that shows graphically the outputs to the driver from the pc .......all the best derk