Higher end Chinese controllers?

[Boyan Silyavski]

So I really want to share what it is fitted to but I have to resist the temptation. Suffice to say, the GSK was standard on the machine as were the GSK servos. When I am good and ready with the machine it is on, rest assured you will know.

I understand. But tell me one thing. Did you find what is the real difference between 980 and 990 controls? I still can not find it reading the manual. Did you had any special preference not to buy the other company 1000 control versus the 980? As they are very similar. Or just price features commanded that decision?

[m_c]

Model numbering seems to be almost random. From what I've seen, I'm guessing 1000 series are basically 900 series but in a complete unit (900 series have separate display/control panels). The big problem with comparing models, is every spec sheet seems to be worded, laid out, and translated differently, so comparisons are hard to do.

I've had an email back from CNCMakers, and they've recommended the GSK218MC series, however as standard it only does a max of 3-axis simultaneously I.e it can only move 3 axis at any one time - I had to email them it clarify that.
I'm waiting to hear back.

I've also emailed Newkye to see what they recommend.

CNCMakers/GSK call the break out boards De-concentrators, and they have the option of basic ones that simply convert the 3 25-pin D connectors to screw terminals, as well as an output board with relays.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Chinese are on a vacation till end of the week. Its national holiday there.


They recommend the GSk218 as it is more expensive. They want too much money for it. Though i think it has to has some serious benefit for new modern machining centers.I have not looked deep into it. 980 and 990 are GSk but not the 1000, which is totally different company. The paneling is difference in letter V vertical, H horizontal and so on.

"Cnc makers" are very expensive resellers. Their only benefit is that they are a bit more responding, speaking english and have the web a bit better than typical chinese web. Nothing more. Their "wholesale" prices were ridiculous. And i said that to them.

[m_c]

I know the Chinese are on holiday, and I'm surprised I even got a response. I wasn't expecting any until next week.

CNCmakers just emailed back with the prices for the 218, and unless they offer something magical over a similar spec Newkye unit on aliexpress, they won't be getting much business. Prices quoted are $2300 for the standard 3-axis simultaneous version, or add $800 for the 4-axis simultaneously version.

I'm going to spend some time going through the spec sheets to see what the actual differences are between the models. I'm aware the H/V relate to the control panel orientation, and generally a T means Turn, and a M mean Milling, but the rest seems to be a bit of a lucky dip.

The main makes I'm aware of so far are, Newkye, GSK, and SZGH, although I'm sure there will be some re-branding going on.

[Boyan Silyavski]

if you are on the market for 1 controller only, i recommend to go with Newkey, as this is the cheapest, plus they stock both the 1000 and the 980/990.

[m_c]

Newkye do appear to be the cheapest, but what concerns me is the lack of information. Even the product listings on their website/aliexpress are pretty much all identical, with little information as to what the differences actually are.
.
Take for example on Aliexpress they have two 4-axis milling 1000 series controllers with Panel C (the panel I'd like), but one is a "best price NEW1000MDb" and the other a "Modbus type NEW1000MDc" with a $110 premium.
Is the difference between them simply one has Modbus, and what are they actually referring to as Modbus? GSK have controllers (983 series IIRC) that will only work with their own bus link servo drives, so are they referring to a drive control Modbus, or do they simply mean conventional Modbus for communicating with a PC. If so, does that mean the cheaper one doesn't have the ability to be drip fed from a PC?
.
The other thing I have noticed, is some controller manuals don't mention anything about being able to run of a USB stick. They have instructions for copying files from USB, but nothing about running from USB.
.
Having spent a good bit time looking through and comparing the GSK manuals last night, other than certain models having specific features, I suspect the difference between a lot of the models is simply different hardware, but still with the same key features.
The 988 series are the top of the range controllers, capable of 6 axis with 3 spindles.
1000/990 other than being physically different, I can't find anything majorly different in the specs.
983/980 (bus version) are for bus controlled servo drives.
218 seems to be a newer version of the 990, or a lower spec version of the 988.
.
Certainly for what I'm looking for, the GSK 218MC-H seems like the best fit. However the standard control panel doesn't include a MPG, but a remote MPG may be a better option.
.
I'm not going to make any decisions until I've heard back from the other suppliers, to see what they suggest, and what their prices are.

[komatias]

m_c,

If the road takes you anywhere near Bristol, come and have a look at the 980MDc on my machine to get a feel for it.

[Colin Barron]

I have been looking on Alibaba and ther appears to be several cnc control makers making what looks like copies of the popular gsk and newke models. Not sure yet whether it is just the front panel or whether the whole unit is copied. As someone has said cnc maker are expensive but at least you have a good idea what you are purchasing.

[Colin Barron]

Newkye do appear to be the cheapest, but what concerns me is the lack of information. Even the product listings on their website/aliexpress are pretty much all identical, with little information as to what the differences actually are.
.
Take for example on Aliexpress they have two 4-axis milling 1000 series controllers with Panel C (the panel I'd like), but one is a "best price NEW1000MDb" and the other a "Modbus type NEW1000MDc" with a $110 premium.
Is the difference between them simply one has Modbus, and what are they actually referring to as Modbus? GSK have controllers (983 series IIRC) that will only work with their own bus link servo drives, so are they referring to a drive control Modbus, or do they simply mean conventional Modbus for communicating with a PC. If so, does that mean the cheaper one doesn't have the ability to be drip fed from a PC?
.
The other thing I have noticed, is some controller manuals don't mention anything about being able to run of a USB stick. They have instructions for copying files from USB, but nothing about running from USB.
.
Having spent a good bit time looking through and comparing the GSK manuals last night, other than certain models having specific features, I suspect the difference between a lot of the models is simply different hardware, but still with the same key features.
The 988 series are the top of the range controllers, capable of 6 axis with 3 spindles.
1000/990 other than being physically different, I can't find anything majorly different in the specs.
983/980 (bus version) are for bus controlled servo drives.
218 seems to be a newer version of the 990, or a lower spec version of the 988.
.
Certainly for what I'm looking for, the GSK 218MC-H seems like the best fit. However the standard control panel doesn't include a MPG, but a remote MPG may be a better option.
.
I'm not going to make any decisions until I've heard back from the other suppliers, to see what they suggest, and what their prices are.

At $2216 for the gsk218mc-H compared with $1460 (both plus postage), apart from a few switches what extra benefits are worth 50% extra cost.