Looking for some CNC advice

Dave38

Dave38

theemperorhasnoclotheson
Silver Member
I am finishing up the rebuilding of my CNC gantry machine. I have never made anything on it as the amount of slop in it was horrible. I was just starting to test it out today and have just realized that the controllers (generic cheapies) are only 1/2 steppers. I want to upgrade them, but cannot afford ones like the Gecko's, etc.at this time. I am looking at this type right now and was wondering if anyone has used these or similar ones? http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/smc-15/m542l-stepper-motor-controller/1.html I have done some researching and found it gets confusing to tell what is a good one/bad one.
The motors I am using are 57BYGH405A which are 4 phase, 3.6V and 3.0A per phase.
Thanks
Dave
 
I am not one who should give CNC advice, but by the time you buy 4 controllers and a break out board. You are about the same price as a 540.

Larry
 
I have to agree with JB and Larry. The Gecko G540 is really 4 motor drives in one plus the break out board. It is well supported by Maris Frieman (sp?) the inventor owner of Gecko drives and on the internet in places like CNCZone.com
Whether you buy a new one or a used one, if you mess it up electronically - I did - you can get an RMA from GeckoDrives and they'll usually repair it for free the first time and pay the return shipping. I've sent in two. I can't promise yours will be free, but that was my experience.
My 2 cents,
Gary
 
If you buy an inferior product, can you afford to throw away a part destroyed due to missed steps or some other control failure ?
Cheap seems nice until problems occur.
Looking at the control you posted, it looks good. But not having used one I can not advise on it's use.Maybe someone else who has tried one can comment for you.
Neil
 
Dave

The Gecko G540 is really hard to beat.

I've got at least 6 of them and they run very well.

They're not as strong as the bigger Gecko v231v's I have on my inlay machines but they run at very high rapid's for lower cycle times. You should be able to run the G540 with decent motors at 100 ipm all day long.


Royce
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I was looking at the Gecko 542, but I'm on a fixed income and saving up will take a couple months. I find out later today if I am looking at another surgery on my neck. So I basically was trying to just get the machine up and running, while I can still do the work, in case I need to sell off my shop. I may not be able to continue cue work if I have another fusion. I had C-4 thru C-7 done 2 years ago, and this would be adding C-3.
Well, Again, thanks for the advice.
Dave
 
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