Can I use this?

[Halfnutz]

I just got this off eBay and dont know if it will work for the X or Y axis of a gantry router.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7615909982

It moves well with 12 volts and fast with 24 volts, but it is direct drive. Would a Geckoe drive this?

[miljnor]

man you been on this forum longer than me. but I would say yes!

its about the some torque as the motors I am using (but i have a 2:1 ratio) So its probably very fast but not realy enough torque for anything other than light fast cuts as in 3d.

but ultimately it probably depends on the mass your trying to move and what material (router I assume wood)

[Halfnutz]

Hey Michael!

Yes, I know, I should know more about these, but I've neglected anything regarding servo motors untill now. Its time to learn. I'm thinking it would be good for a plasma machine. I figured it was OK but just want to make sure before I go out and spend money on a driver.

[miljnor]

seriously! the drivers can make you poor!

I would definitely recomend the DIY servo boards on this sight if your up to it electronicaly and have the time.

[jingham]

Looks like if you got this thing for $86, you got a sweet deal. A Gecko 620 would run this unit but you would have to deal with all the other things required to get a servo running.
Good luck!!!

[Halfnutz]

You mean the gecko 320, I imagine. Great,thats what I was hoping for. Yeah, I think I got a great deal. Its not the most robust design, but perfect for the Y axis on a torch or plasma cutter. It works great too. I'm also interested in the DIY servo drivers miljnor mentioned, but havent found the thread yet.

If I knew what to buy, I'd try finding something to drive it on eBay also, but I am clueless when it comes to servos. All I know is its a brush type DC motor, and 24 volts really got it moving. I'm afraid to try more voltage without knowing more about it. I geusse I can try contacting the mfg., it says Reliance Ele, Electro Craft Servo Div. At first I bid on it just because it didnt seem right that someone else should get it so cheap. It just wouldn't be right...

[miljnor]

your wish is my command!

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...175#post163175

not really but it sound kool

[Halfnutz]

Wow! 35 pages and it still isnt built yet! Ill have to look through the thread and gleen what I can...those guys are all from the Nederlands....they have "design tools" that are illegal here in the states....I will have to check it out, man it looks (sounds) like a pretty big undertaking, at 5.00 an hour I bet the Gecko is a steel for 120.00 if you consider the cost of TIME! Worth investigating,

Thanks...

[Halfnutz]

Neat! At first I thought you were joking Mike, that is awesome! I geusse Ive got a new project to start on. This looks like alot of fun.

[miljnor]

They actually have working boards. Its not a work in progress anymore.

What are the illegal design tools? I didn't notice but my mind always assumes (I know geof! ) everything is above board unless its otherwise!

[ejkoeze]

Yeah, tell me, what illegal tools.....

No seriously. This project was designed in Germany by a group of people gathering on www.cncecke.de. I recently saw a pic from Uli (who wrote the program) that he has sent out more than 1200 processors.
Most of them are being used or being built in.
Very few problems have arisen mainly due to some heavy stress testing of the design.

Very interesting build, pretty well documented and I you run into trouble, drop your questions right here on the above mentioned thread.

Erik Jan (The Netherlands)

[Halfnutz]

It looks great, but where do I start? A trip to Amsterdam? But seriously folks...
If I think I can put one together from whats available through the thread, I would love to give it a try. The Gecko or Rutex boards are fantastic bargains, especially if you need one piece or want to get going quick, (and want a proven result) but since I'll end up needing at least two ( if I just used THC ) and probabably three since I'll want to use a regular spindle or router as well as a torch possibly (I have a gas torch allready), the cost adds up. It sounds like it works great and DIY is allways good. I mean, thats why we do this stuff right?

Are most DIY people using brush motors instead of the brushless? I geusse the reason would be because the gecko only works with brush motors? I know the cost of other digital drives can be very high, also Ive noticed though many vendors are phasing out the brush motors and pushing the brushless or hybrid type as replacements.

That way they get to sell you a drive and motor.

How thoughtfull of them!

I geusse what I am asking, if anyone cares to comment, is if I should be looking at just brush motors, or is there a reasonable way to drive the brushless motors as well?