Help! Bought an older Techno 49" x 41"... Controller too dated!

[ldesautels]

Hi all, first post here. I recently bought a Techno 49" x 41" with older stepper motors and MAC200SD controller. I just got off the phone with Techno and it looks like I need to upgraded the controller and it was suggested I replace the stepper motors with servos. I want to run Vcarve Pro. Do I have to buy a setup from Techno for $4k or can I retro fit something off of eBay or else where? Thanks in advance for your advice!

[slowlearner]

I have an older Techno router too. I do have the servos though. I have studied on this very matter.I have decided that when I get some work orders. I'll upgrade to the DMM ac servo package and Mach. Its going to cost about the same to have my existing control upgraded as it will for the kit.
Scott

[ger21]

Most of the stuff on Ebay consists of poorly matched components that generally don't perform very well.

You might be able to use a G540 package from Keling. It'll run about $800 including a copy of Mach3.
Page Title

[Montabelli]

I have run mach3 and I have run the mac 100 through the pci cards, you will not get continuous motion in mach, you can with the techno pci interface, it is entirely dependent on the type of cutting you plan to do, if you are only going to do straight lines and arcs in 2d it may make no difference, but complex curves and 3d surface milling... I'd bite the bullet and go to the techno servo. if you are clever, you can probably just get the card and figure out how to use it to power an analog acservo driver and motor combo. MHO

[planeflier]

I just finished doing an upgrade on the same machine. I used the Gecko 540 and steppers and power supply from keiling. It is working great!!! I can get rapids of 150 IPM and cutting at 100 IPM (I have not tried any faster yet.)

I have the old boards and power supply and steppers if you need parts.

[ldesautels]

I just finished doing an upgrade on the same machine. I used the Gecko 540 and steppers and power supply from keiling. It is working great!!! I can get rapids of 150 IPM and cutting at 100 IPM (I have not tried any faster yet.)

I have the old boards and power supply and steppers if you need parts.

I want to use this machine to make wood carved signs. Would the Gecko 540 setup work for this purpose? What size steppers did you get for your system?

Thanks to all for your help on this subject!!

[cabnet636]

wha t motors are on you machines, as long as they are not 1/2 steppers they may work with the 540 gecko and mach 3. if you had to replace the motors you can get decent nema 34 bases steppers for 120.00 +/- each

[planeflier]

Yes this can be used for carving. I am using the 381oz motors at 48V and working great.

[ldesautels]

Yes this can be used for carving. I am using the 381oz motors at 48V and working great.

Thanks for the info!

It was suggested I went with this setup from kelinginc.net... Do I really need 570 oz steppers? Others seem to go with smaller ones.

1: CNC 3 Axis Stepper Motor Kit with 570 oz-in motor and KL-6852
Bipolar Driver with 48V/12.5A Power Supply (110V/220VAC):$543

(3) 570 oz-in stepping motors, NEMA 23
(3) Drivers (5.2Amp 24-68 Volts, 1-1/256 microstepping)
(1) 48VDC /12 .5A Power Supply 110VAC/220VAC
(1) Breakout board
(1) 5V power supply

[planeflier]

Here is the kit I bought:

1 pcs G540 4 axis driver with 4pcs DB9 connectors
3 pcs NEMA23 KL23H2100-35-4B (1/4” Dual shaft with a flat) 381 oz-in
1 pcs KL-350-48 48V/7.3A 115V /230VAC power supply

If you buy them individual they are cheaper????

Rich

[Pplug]

I've used that kit with 10mm and 5mm ballscrews both routers work great. You will have no problems with that setup.