Upgrading a Denford Triac Mill

[Doddy]

Hi Folks,
Can anyone comment on the CNC4You reccomended drivers, namely the CW5045 (https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Microstepp...tepping-CW5045) ? Any good? The price at £39 each seems good.

I don't know of this driver, but the datasheet claims

PUL+, PUL-; Stepping pulse input+5V (Positive edge effective, pulse duration>10μSec) .

That's a bit slow (I know they claim 100kHz, but a pulse duration of >10uS?, doesn't Mach3 limit pulse width to <=5us (I could be wrong here!)

[m_c]

If the existing steppers work, I'd be inclined to use them to begin with. Modern steppers will give a boost in performance, but as long as you fit good drivers along with a decent power supply, you'll still get reasonable performance from the original steppers.

Using an external motion controller allows for faster step outputs, and removes the step generation from the PC. Just using a PC, the step output speed is limited, and if you use Mach, the newest version of windows you can use is Win7 32bit (Win8, 10, or anything 64bit won't work).

With a stepper driven machine, you will get adequate performance with a parallel port and basic BOB, and you may not get that much in the way of performance benefit by using an external motion controller, however they do remove the problems of finding a suitable motherboard with a parallel port that will work well.

[Chaz]

If the existing steppers work, I'd be inclined to use them to begin with. Modern steppers will give a boost in performance, but as long as you fit good drivers along with a decent power supply, you'll still get reasonable performance from the original steppers.

Using an external motion controller allows for faster step outputs, and removes the step generation from the PC. Just using a PC, the step output speed is limited, and if you use Mach, the newest version of windows you can use is Win7 32bit (Win8, 10, or anything 64bit won't work).

With a stepper driven machine, you will get adequate performance with a parallel port and basic BOB, and you may not get that much in the way of performance benefit by using an external motion controller, however they do remove the problems of finding a suitable motherboard with a parallel port that will work well.

I'm using Win 10 64 Bit for both my Lathe and Thor mill. Is this a breakoutboard limitation or something else? Im using CS Labs on Thor and Pokeys on the lathe.

[m_c]

I'm using Win 10 64 Bit for both my Lathe and Thor mill. Is this a breakoutboard limitation or something else? Im using CS Labs on Thor and Pokeys on the lathe.

I should of maybe been a bit clearer, but that was in relation to using the parallel port. If you're not using the parallel port, then there is no restriction on what version of windows you can use, other it being new enough to support what software you're using.

[Chaz]

I should of maybe been a bit clearer, but that was in relation to using the parallel port. If you're not using the parallel port, then there is no restriction on what version of windows you can use, other it being new enough to support what software you're using.

Ah ok, wasnt sure either. Thanks.

[davidimurray]

I am just upgrading my Triac - started as a spindle bearing change and fix an oil leak ....... now it seems to be a full rebuild.

Actually my 3rd upgrade, first was a direct piggyback with mach 3 onto the original stepper system. Then I lost a stepper driver so decided to upgrade the drivers. Latest upgrade is some bearing changes, new spindle VFD, new stepper motors, move lube pump, redirect cables out of the back to seal the base etc.

I've run with the old steppers for 8 years and they have been fine. Only really changing as I've taken the column off to work on the lube system and it's too good an opportunity to not mess around;) If you do change motors, watch out for shaft sizes as the Triac steppers have tiny shafts, as soon as you get into decent sized motors, you will find the pulleys are too small to be bored out and you will have to put bigger pulleys, new belts etc on, which in turn reduces the torque increase benefit!