Quote Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt View Post
I used the driver half of that with a 555 timer and dual comparator to chop it. Sight snag using their controller, you have to stop on the home position if you want to switch off and come back to it, you can't save the step pattern and location when you exit. It all worked okay until the mains voltage surge popped all three at once. Had to work a tad close to it's voltage limit to get any kind of speed.

I've heard glowing reports of Mach3 but I do like to be in control so I avoid commercial software as much as possible. If you write your own you can add features and fix bugs. My next software will be version 3, so I have some experience to draw on. Has to run under Windows XP and cut from an AutoCad dxf file. I want vast amounts of memory and the thought of 32 bit integers has become almost irresistable. The GUI is good to :D
Love to see it Robin. Was thinking of writing my own DXF->GCode as haven't found one I truely like and what I want is seamless CAD -> mill (or PCB layout -> mill). Although I have lots of free software that does the job its all a bit of a faff and kludge.

Going to stick with L297/L298 at 40v/2A for now as my steppers and 2mm ACME screws don't need any more, but have a 4-axis design on the drawing board using a PIC processor, 2109 hi/lo drivers and discrete MOSFETs for 80v, 5A/coil, 1/8 microstepping capability for the future.

Where do you source your electronic parts from? I use Radiospares, Farnell (rarely, since mostly seems to be US-stock now), Maplins (even less so), and Cricklewood Electronics all online - the days of the great electronics shops have long gone :(