Will step2linear work for my machine?!

[jeerle]

Hello, I recently bought an old Masterwood project 309 woodworking machine. It is a very old machine from 1993, so there are a lot of disadvantages on the software side(msdos). But the hardware on the machine is in good and working condition.
I am currently looking to retrofit mach3 on the machine to make it ''more modern''. I am currently in the planning stage of the retrofit to look if it is possible and what is needed. The main focus now is to find a solution for the X,Y and Z axis to use most of the old hardware, if possible.

The machine is currently using 3 DC brushed servos with encoders for the feedback and 3 amplifiers which take +-10V. So after searching on forums to use the original amplifiers I found the step2linear board from viper. Which seems like a good working board and is still available? unlike the YAPS10V. To be honest I am not 100% sure if they work for my components and it would be wasted money if I bought 3 boards just conclude that they wont work. So is there someone that could help me and tell if the step2linear board will work for my machine? I attached a picture from the I/O of the servo amplifier and a pdf of the datasheet from the encoder. The amplifiers are: Midi Maestro 140 14/28 and the encoders: Hohner h33p50.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Jelle

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[Larken]

Yes, it should work with that amplifier.
Is there good differential encoders on the machine ?

Larry K

[jeerle]

Yes, it should work with that amplifier.
Is there good differential encoders on the machine ?

Larry K

Dear larken,

Thank you for your reply. Good to hear that the amplifiers will work. Also the encoders that are on the machine are in working order and a high end brand. I still have one question for you.
The encoder put out ABO and inverse of the three signals. In your manual, for the boards, I saw that the step2linear only needs AB and the inverse of both. What should I do with the O and O inverse? Do I leave them disconnected or something else? The datasheet of the encoders is enclosed in my first post.

Thanks in advance.

Jelle

[Larken]

No, it doesn't use the index pulse to close the loop, but you may be able to opto-couple it back to the motion controller to use in the homing.
But the encoder wires and ground should only go to the S2L to prevent ground noise issues.

Larry K

[jeerle]

No, it doesn't use the index pulse to close the loop, but you may be able to opto-couple it back to the motion controller to use in the homing.
But the encoder wires and ground should only go to the S2L to prevent ground noise issues.

Larry K

Larry,

Thank you for your response.This helped me a lot.

Regards,
Jelle