Drivers - Help!!!

[johnm99]

Need help!!!

I am building a router based off the designs of JGRO - Mine will be modified to 4' x 4'. On first thought I was going with the xylotex board before I was told that would be pushing the limits...

So now I am back to the drawing board... The geckos were kicked out b/c cost, initially, but is there something else out there that is comparitive to the gecko. Something that will offer the power that is needed... for bipolar steppers... and not break the bank....

I am almost to the feeling that I am going to have to scale down my first machine... (can you help a guy for thinking big!!!)

[Mac T. Knife]

What do you have in mind for motors??

[johnm99]

What do you have in mind for motors??

I had in mind 276 oz/in bipolar motors from Automation direct....

I do not need the machine to move extremely fast... just get the job done in less than a day or two!

got any suggestions...!

[CJL5585]

Look on e-bay for some drives by the name of OMC or CENTENT.

They are Older Gecko drives sold under another name. I know a guy who has several sets of them.

These drives seem to last forever. You can pick them up for about $150.00 for a set of 3. They will handle up to 7 amps motor current which would allow you to use almost any bi-polar motor up to 600 -800 inch/oz torque.

Hope this helps.
Jerry

[ger21]

A lot of people do use the Xylotex with those motors. But, you'd probably get twice the speed using Geckos.

[johnm99]

Thanks

---- for all the comments...

i just do not want to throw away... any more money than I have too...

[ger21]

There really is nothing comparable to Geckos, btw as far as for amp and current ratings.

[CJL5585]

Johnm99:

Here are 3 Centent (old Gecko drives) with 3 Powermax steppers on e-bay. This is the guy I mentioned.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Centent-CN0143...QQcmdZViewItem

Jerry

[CerveloRod]

Why not start with the Xylotex? They resell for just about what you pay for them.

I am using the same setup, 276oz/in from AD, Xylotex 4 axis, 24 volts, 2.6 amps. Works pretty good with my mini-mill.

I am sure I would get better performance from Gecko's but I also started at half the cost.

Downside to Xylotex, if you blow an axis, and don't do chip replacement, the whole board has to go back. I ended up buying a second one, that will get resold eventually. With Gecko, you could buy just one extra to replace that axis.

Rod

[johnm99]

I just looked at those... I also checked the centent website... are they still an active company... or have they just evolved into GECKO

[CJL5585]

Gecko manufacturers drives for other companies who want to have a drive with their own namebrand on it.

Gecko also makes the drives sold under the US Digital Name.

These Centent drives are a larger size version of the Gecko 210. I have built several systems around them.

Jerry

[johnm99]

Why not start with the Xylotex? They resell for just about what you pay for them.

I am using the same setup, 276oz/in from AD, Xylotex 4 axis, 24 volts, 2.6 amps. Works pretty good with my mini-mill.

I am sure I would get better performance from Gecko's but I also started at half the cost.

Downside to Xylotex, if you blow an axis, and don't do chip replacement, the whole board has to go back. I ended up buying a second one, that will get resold eventually. With Gecko, you could buy just one extra to replace that axis.

Rod

what would cause me to blow an axis... is there any way to prevent this from happening... cooling the board?....using less power??... running the motors slow...

This is definately not my area of expertise so anyt advice here would be appreciated... (neither is spelling)