Newbie: connect servo drive to computer cheap

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9 years 10 months ago #84139 by vasiliy
Hi all.
I'm absolute newbie to CNC world and to tinkering with electronics. (hope not for long)
I would like to start building my 1st small CNC routing table.
I'm thinking, for starters, I'll buy 1 servo drive and figure out how to control it from my linux box.
Baby steps. Don't want to invest/attempt too much and quit in the middle.
I will run LinuxCNC of cause.
So, from what I've googled, I can use servos like ClearPath SD (please suggest better ones if you know them).
Can those be hoked up directly to parallel port without additional electronics? I've read that parallel ports are not that fast, but they will do as proof of concept, baby steps again :)
Also can anyone suggest a way to acquire or build power supply, without breaking the bank?

Thank you guys for your support.

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9 years 10 months ago #84153 by andypugh
Step/dir servo drives can be connected directly to a parallel port.
Servo drives that require a +/- 10V analogue voltage for velocity command are rather more difficult to control with a parport. It can be done, in principle, with fairly simple circuitry, but I have never tried it.
There is the Pluto Servo board that would do it for you, but be warned that these may or may not work with any particular parallel port.

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9 years 10 months ago #84163 by vasiliy
Thank you for reply
So I'm looking at CPM-SDSK-2310S-RLN.
Specification says: "Logic Input Voltage Range 4.0 to 28 VDC".
And I think parallel port has 5V. Does that mean I can do without any additional circuitry?
Any other issues I should worry about? Like excessive currents ? Or putting it in another words, is connecting directly a dumb idea?

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9 years 10 months ago #84166 by andypugh

vasiliy wrote: Specification says: "Logic Input Voltage Range 4.0 to 28 VDC".
And I think parallel port has 5V. Does that mean I can do without any additional circuitry?


It will depend on if the parallel port is a true-5V one, or a 5V-tolerant 3.3V one.

is connecting directly a dumb idea?


I have done it. There is some risk of damaging the port, though.
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9 years 10 months ago - 9 years 10 months ago #84167 by Todd Zuercher
Those Clear Path motors/drives (They are a motor with drive built in.) can be driven directly from a parallel port, but using a breakout board is advisable. If for no other reason than to give you an easy way to connect cables together. But isolation and voltage correction (converting a 3.3v signal to true 5v) are worthwhile benefits that an inexpensive breakout board can offer.
Last edit: 9 years 10 months ago by Todd Zuercher.
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9 years 10 months ago - 9 years 10 months ago #84206 by lincamx
No need of proof of concept , They work quit well, I have the CPM-SDSK-2310S-RQN, 1/4 inch shaft.
I recommend using a break out board so your PP or computer does not get damage if something goes wrong.
I also recommend getting a power supply that will run them at full voltage 75vdc, I would get at the minimum of 10 amp so you will have some over head.
This is what I have. with the 5 and 24 volt option.
No since sending $$$ twice , Only if you want to.
www.antekinc.com/ps-8n77-800w-77v-power-supply/


vasiliy wrote: Thank you for reply
So I'm looking at CPM-SDSK-2310S-RLN.
Specification says: "Logic Input Voltage Range 4.0 to 28 VDC".
And I think parallel port has 5V. Does that mean I can do without any additional circuitry?
Any other issues I should worry about? Like excessive currents ? Or putting it in another words, is connecting directly a dumb idea?

Last edit: 9 years 10 months ago by lincamx.
The following user(s) said Thank You: vasiliy

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