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Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:26 am
by Improbable Construct
Ok, wow. Um... I can solder, but I have never tried to surface mount any components. Looking around, it looks doable, I have a toaster oven, is there any chance of getting one with the SMT components done? If not I will give it a go... Thanks Brandon

Edit: It looks like the SMT is only on the stepper drivers. I can totally do some through hole soldering. A kit would be great!

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:32 pm
by soehler
Bart

Just sent you e-mail about this board.

Sergio

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:07 am
by Improbable Construct
Bart

I sent an email your way.
Thanks for all of your hard work!

Brandon

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:19 pm
by redcuda69
Should I switch the 74HC7014 to 74HC14 while using with the LO DSP? I have them both powered up, and idle, but the stepper motors sound like a horse walking slowly. I was wondering if this would be the fix.

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:18 pm
by twehr
redcuda69 wrote:Should I switch the 74HC7014 to 74HC14 while using with the LO DSP? I have them both powered up, and idle, but the stepper motors sound like a horse walking slowly. I was wondering if this would be the fix.


Don't think it will change the sound. You only need to switch if your are having the skewing problem.

As for the sound. What step rate are you using. As I recall, only the 1/8 step is reliable with the DSP.

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 5:33 pm
by redcuda69
Thanks Tim,

I set the driver to 1/8th step. (Actually, I tried all of them) and the sound still existed. I figured it out though. I had to adjust the pot on the Pololu driver boards as they were set a little high, causing the motors to want to step.

Rob

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 5:52 pm
by twehr
redcuda69 wrote:Thanks Tim,

I set the driver to 1/8th step. (Actually, I tried all of them) and the sound still existed. I figured it out though. I had to adjust the pot on the Pololu driver boards as they were set a little high, causing the motors to want to step.

Rob


Yep! Keeping them down to about 1.4a or less seems to be best. Those drives won't handle much more anyway. Glad you got it going!

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:52 pm
by Maberib
Hi Tim,

I think you've done exactly what I'm aiming to do. I have a DC-KIII laser (of Moshidraw (in)fame). I'm looking to upgrade to the DSP.

Unfortunately, I did something a bit boneheaded. I ordered the DSP and two big motor drivers without first figuring out the current draw of my stepper motors. The drivers have minimum output of 1 amp each, but my X stepper only uses 0.4 A. My Y-axis motor takes 1.5 A. The problem is documented here: http://www.lightobject.info/viewtopic.p ... 4315#p4315 .

I'm left with two options. Replace the X-axis stepper, or buy a different stepper controller. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you've done both.

Buying this board seems like a good option, since I'd love to have the extra axese and rotary control. I ask then:

Regarding the controller, to both you and Bart, is the 1.5 A I need for my Y too taxing for this board? Where did your roof of 1.4 amps come from?

Regarding the motor, what would be a good replacement for the X-axis motor?

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:39 pm
by bdring
I run mine at about 1.6 Amp. That is what my motors are rated at.

http://www.buildlog.net/cnc_laser/erp/g ... =B10-10003

You can run a little higher, but evenually you will start to hear that tell-tale ticking noise that says the drivers are at thermal limit.

Re: 4 Axis Driver Board

PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:58 pm
by Maberib
Thanks, Bart. You have mail!