Hi,
you may be able to use the stepper driver power supply that comes with the machine. They are sometimes as low as 24V and sometimes as high as 36V.
The G540 is rated to 50V and to maximize the speed of the steppers I suggest you exploit with a 48V supply. A lesser supply would be fine initially, and
indeed depending on the steppers, may be entirely adequate permanently.
Yes, having extra inputs is a luxury. I use an Ethernet SmoothStepper (with Mach4) and it has three ports for a total of 51 inputs and outputs.Now I understand why you were suggesting 2 ports ... once you have 4 axis, home switches, limit switches e switch ect. you run out port pins.
I have found that my needs are satisfied by using only two ports, so while three ports or more is a luxury two ports is adequate where one port
is definitely restrictive.
In addition the UC100 is USB connected whereas all the other boards I've recommended are Ethernet connected. USB is too noise prone and you get too
many 'Run out of Data' errors, Ethernet is to my mind mandatory.
The UC100 (genuine) is about $120 whereas the two and three port boards I've listed range from about $140 to $180, so you do pay extra no doubt,
but you only buy once and the extra capacity is luxurious.
One of the reasons that I prefer the ESS is that it max pulse rate is 4Mhz. Its not that I ever will use that but I do use an AC servo asa spindle for which
I require a 470kHz pulse stream which the ESS accommodates easily whereas the UC series and the 57CNC top out at 100kHz. Thus if you ever entertain
the idea of using servos, which are inherently capable of much finer resolution than steppers, and thereby demand higher pulse rates the ESS has an advantage.
Most people seem to get reasonable service from the Chinese supplied spindles and VFDs. Unless you are prepared to spend BIG dollarsShoul I salvage the spindle vfd that comes with the Chinese unit or replace that too?
for European, US or Japanese made spindles you would be replacing one Chinese spindle with another anyway. My suggestion would be to use the
spindle as supplied. If it is adequate...all well and good. If not...you will have the experience necessary to determine the performance parameters you need to
achieve your aims. I can tell you that once you know what you want and whats important you tend to bypass Chinese and look again at the European/US/Japanese
stuff despite the cost.
Once you start doing some serious machining it will become apparent why the spindle is by far the most expensive piece of gear on
any machine, any performance issue with the spindle means lesser quality work.
For instance the German made spindle I really want for my new build mill is 5700Euro, that's just the spindle, no VFD or tool holders!
If I couldn't afford it before COVID19 I sure as hell cannot now!!!
https://www.mechatron-gmbh.de/filead...SK_-_WEB_2.pdf
2.2kW so I can still use single phase, 42000 rpm and HSK tool change....I look at the pictures and drool!
Craig