Easy Servo Drive?

**Blackrat** · 14-09-2015

you wont look back using the smooth stepper , i wish i got one from the start , but then again if i did i probably would appreciate what it does

**Tenson** · 14-09-2015

To be honest I find it hard to believe a computer that can process millions of things a second can't pulse the motors accurately and without loosing count. That said, I do believe the feedback from you chaps so I will certainly get one!

**Gotty101** · 15-09-2015

Its down to how the software can access the hardware from the software. Where as a motion controller has a direct link to its hardware. I think i read that cslabs stuff uses a fpga controller which are great for this kind of thing.

**Tenson** · 15-09-2015

I guess the parallel port was never really intended for time critical applications.

I ordered the ethernet easy stepper (ESS) from Amadeal last night and they already shipped it! I can't afford any down time on my machine for some weeks so I will have to try it out later on.

I also bought an 80V driver for the X axis that matches the ones on the Y axis. I'm sure it doesn't make much sense to run Y axis on 80V and X axis on 50V as I currently am.

How big a PSU do you guys usually run for Y and X axis? Currently my Y axis is powered from a 500watt toroid with 10,000uF smoothing caps (no SMPS here!). I wonder if it has enough headroom to power the X axis too, or if I need to get an additional PSU. A basic electricity meter shows my machine draws about 250watts for both Y and X together under normal use, but the meter will not show peaks (then again PSU caps should supply peak current draw).

**JAZZCNC** · 15-09-2015

Originally Posted by Tenson

How big a PSU do you guys usually run for Y and X axis? Currently my Y axis is powered from a 500watt toroid with 10,000uF smoothing caps (no SMPS here!). I wonder if it has enough headroom to power the X axis too, or if I need to get an additional PSU. A basic electricity meter shows my machine draws about 250watts for both Y and X together under normal use, but the meter will not show peaks (then again PSU caps should supply peak current draw).

500W will run all the axis no problem.

Also the ESS works fine with Slaved axis and homing. The install time is minutes with no rewiring required. Just install plug-in and away you go.
You may want to retune the motors for better performance.