Denford Triac VMC w/ ATC conversion

[JAZZCNC]

In terms of drives, I did talk to Gecko. They are coming out with a new G214 that has a maximum resolution of 256 microsteps, which is much lower than Leadshine.

The G215 is out already which I think is the super seed of the G214. It's a Max 10 x Ms drive(2000 steps per rev) which also does Sub microstepping at lower speeds dividing each Micro step up further into 32 pieces. This gives equivalent to 320Ms drive (64,000 steps per rev) while at low speeds. When the speed starts to increase the drive kicks in another feature called Morphing. This gradualy switches the drive from Microstepping at low speeds where it helps with motor smoothness back to Full stepping at high speed to increase Torque where Ms isn't helpfull and Robs Torque.
So in affect the G215 range is between 320Ms and Full step over set Speed range.

Now this all sounds great but I can tell you because I had G203 drives fitted on my machine for 3yrs that the Morphing isn't really noticable and makes very little difference compared to good quality Analog drive. I changed to Leadshine Digital drives Both AM882 and EM806 and they Knocked the spots of the Gecko's in every department.
I saw a noticable difference in Smoothness at lower speeds and greatly increased performance at higher speeds. My Max Rapids went from 9mtr/min to 14mtr/min with no changes other than drives. Thou I didn't require those speeds and didn't use the extra speed this still translated into higher torque at 7.5Mtr/min I run at.
Motor heating was considerably less at lower speeds and the whole motor sound changed. This was instantly noticable the minute motors started to spin.

So other than the Sub micro stepping which I haven't experienced yet and if honest I'm sceptacle about how affective they'll be real world use due to most Low/Med quality Step motors inabilty to resolve to such fine Ms amounts. Then I'd still probably say go with the AM882 or EM806 given previous experience of the Geckos morphing being less than impressive. Thou I will say Gecko's service and after sale warranty is second to none, Thou I did kill 2 x the supposedly Un-killable G203Vs.!! They replaced both times and both were out of warranty period.

The Leadshine also have tuneable Resonance thru software which for some machines can be a life saver if affected by resonance at any part of the motors speed curve.

Thou If you want to buy some G215 and send to me I'll gladly check them out against AM or EM drives and compare.! . . .