Conversion Utility Very Cute

Useful Stuff:

IPM = (Frequency * 60) / (TPI * Steps Per Revolution * Microsteps)

Configuring software steps per unit:

This variable stores how many steps to take to move the X axis 1 inch. You will need to set this as accurately as possible if you want your machine to be accurate. There are two ways to set it:

1. Move and Measure - slap a pen or marker on as a toolhead and draw a 1000 step line. Measure it and divide 1000 by the length in inches.
2. Calculate Step Size - this one is the preferred way of doing things. Its rather easy to calculate step size based on your drive mechanism.

For threaded rod type drive systems:

Find your TPI (threads per inch). for example, 1/4"-20 threaded rod means that there are 20 threads per inch (aka 20 turns = 1 inch.) Simply take that number and multiply it by the steps in a revolution. With a 400 step motor (200 steps per revolution at half step), it would be 8000 steps per inch.

For belt/pulley systems:

1. Find the circumference of your drive pulley. (remember circumference = 2*pi*r) (say: 2.75")
2. Calculate step size (ie: circumference / steps per revolution) (say: 2.75" / 400 = 0.00625")
3. Divide 1 inch by step size (1" / 0.00625" = 160 steps/inch)

The fall-out of the DOT-COM bust has brought CNC to the hobbiest. Couple the availablity of low/no cost CNC control software, low-cost integrated circuitry, and the tons of high-end hardware now found on eBay: and for the first time in history, CNC is attainable to the hobby market. We prefer EMC2 on Linux and Ubuntu, but there are others available for those who are shy. Mach3 has a HUGE support group and bypasses some of the timing issues of the Windows environment. TurboCNC is a great piece of software, if you don't want to visualize your tool paths in realtime and are comfortable in DOS. EMC2 is completely Open Source, free to use, and probably the most reliable, flexible, robust system out there. The AXIS Graphical User Interface is second to none (IMHO). The experts out there may disagree, but if you had to be an expert to do this... you probably woudn't be here right now, would you?   So, what software is involved in CNC? There are primarily three parts: Your CAD (Computer Aided Design) software (wikipedia) is where you design your parts to be routed, lathed, milled, or cut. CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software (wikipedia) converts your CAD drawings into G-code, which is the programming language that the CNC control software understands. The CNC control software then reads the G-code and turns it into motion to drive your machine. This is usually done by reading and writing pins on the parallel port, but there are some motor controllers which can operate from serial or USB, as well. Our stepper motor driver kits make use the parallel port signals. The breakout board splits these signals so that the step, direction, and enable lines for each axis are routed to each motor driver board. There are other more specialized g-code generating tools used for specific purposes, such as generating PCB isolation routing, generating a pattern of holes, or roughing out a pocket. Some people choose to write the g-code by hand, as well. Another type of CNC control software is available for specialized CNC hot-wire foam cutting machines.

CAD Software: GraphiteOne CAD - FREE Vizion (ArtCam) SolidWorks RhinoCAD SolidEdge AutoCAD CadKey TurboCAD Alibre CAM Software: Vizion (ArtCam) VirtualGibbs MasterCAM BOBCAD-CAM RAM MeshCAM VisualMill Dolphin TurboCADCAM DeskCNC SheetCAM OneCNC VCarve SprutCam CamBam CNC Control Software (Machining/Milling/Lathe): EMC - Linux AXIS - GUI for EMC2 KCAM - Windows 98 TurboCNC - DOS Mach2/3 - Windows 2000/XP DeskCNC - Windows CNCZeus - DOS Master5 - Windows 95/98 DesKAM - Windows/DOS CNCPro - DOS (recently opened sourced) CNC Foam Cutting Software: FoamWorks JediCut GMFC CNC Utilities: SimpleCNC Machinists Tool Box Ace Converter - DXF to G-code converter CNC Toolkit ImageToGcode SimpleCNC NCPlot - G-code Viewer and Backplotter Electronics CAD: EagleCAD - PCB schematic and board layout program with free trial version PCB-GCODE - a free g-code output for Eagle Eagle3D - Render 3D images from EagleCad & POVRAY

Unipolar/Bipolar Connections (2-Phase Motors)

Unipolar and Bipolar Half Coil, because we're using less turns, doesn't give us great low speed torque, but because of the low inductance, holds the torque out to high speeds. Bipolar Series uses the full coil so it gives very good low speed torque. But because of the high inductance, the torque drops off rapidly. Bipolar Parallel also uses the full coil so it gives good low speed performance. And its low inductance allows the torque to be held out to high speeds. But remember, we must increase current by 40% to get those advantages.   Connections Resistance (Ohms) Inductance (mH) Current  (A) Voltage (V) Holding Torque (oz-in) Unipolar Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Bipolar Series NamePlate X 2 NamePlate X 4 NamePlate X 0.707 NamePlate X 1.414 NamePlate X 1.414 Bipolar Half Coil Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Same as NamePlate Bipolar Parallel NamePlate X 0.5 Same as NamePlate NamePlate X 1.414 NamePlate X 0.707 NamePlate X 1.414 Driver Motor Choices What to Do How to Do It End Result Unipolar (6 Leads) 6 Lead Motor Use as is (Unipolar)   6 Leads 8 Lead Motor Convert to Unipolar Tie yellow and orange together and use AND Tie white and brown together and use 6 Leads Bipolar (4 Leads) 6 Lead Motor Convert to Series Tape off yellow and white leads and don't use 4 Leads Convert to Half Coil Tape off black and red leads OR Tape off green and blue leads 4 Leads 8 Lead Motor Convert to Series Connect yellow and orange and tape off AND Connect white and brown and tape off 4 Leads  Convert to Parallel Tie black and orange together AND Tie yellow and green together AND Tie red and brown together AND Tie white and blue together 4 Leads Convert to Half Coil Tape off black, yellow, red, and white OR Tape off orange, green, brown, and blue 4 Leads   1 Nm = 141.6192 oz in

Steps & Frequency Step Angle: 1.8°   Physical Steps Per Revolution: 200 = 360° in a revolution ÷ 1.8° step angle Micro-step Mode: 8th   Effective Steps Per Revolution: 1600 = 8 microsteps per step x 200 physical steps per revolution RPM (Revolutions Per Minute): 1000   Steps Per Minute: 3200000 1600 effective steps per revolution x 2000 revolutions per minute Hz (cycles per second): 26666.67 = 3200000 steps per minute ÷ 60 seconds in a minute kHz: 26.7 Hz ÷ 1000 IPM LeadScrew TPI: 10   Number of Starts: 2   Revolutions Per Inch: 5 10 TPI ÷ 2 start, so it takes 5 revolutions to move 1 inch IPM (Inches Per Minute): 200 = 1000 RPM ÷ 5 Revs Per Inch

Configurations:

Mach3 Configuration

EMC2 Configuration:

• pbx.ini
• pbx_pinout.hal

G-CODE:

• SolidMotion logo g-code
• G-Code Quick Reference (pdf)

Other:

• Sharp Optical Interruptor Diagram

 

Last Updated: July 31st, 2008

PAYMENT

We accept payments via PayPal, personal checks, or money orders. PayPal account payments or credit card payments are processed immediately. Personal checks and money orders must clear before your order will be processed. PayPal eCheck Payments must be cleared from the sender's account before your order will be processed. It usually takes 4 business days for PayPal eCheck Payments to clear. You will receive a notification from us as soon as your order is processed. We can not be responsible for glitches in the PayPal processing system.

SHIPPING USA

We test every product we send it out. Most orders are shipped within 24 - 48 hours. High volume and seasonality may cause delays in shipping, but know that we are moving as fast as we can. Orders received on the weekends or Holidays will be shipped on the next business day, which is usually Monday.

Typical Time in transit for DHL Ground shipping from Dunlap, Illinois:

SHIPPING INTERNATIONAL

International orders are shipped via USPS. Shipping calculations are based upon USPS 20lb. Flat Rate Box. We can fit a 3-axis or 4-axis kit into a Flat Rate Box.

A documentation and administration fee is built in to your shipping calculation.

Charges for brokerage and duty/tariffs (assessed by your government) will be collected at the time of delivery - COD (we cannot give any estimates for these charges). These additional charges can often be higher than the value of the ordered merchandise.

Due to custom restrictions, products CANNOT be returned from outside the USA.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee delivery dates. If merchandise is held in Customs, we have no control of this.

 

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Does support come with your product? Yes. We would rather have your ask us questions before you hook something up wrong and we have to repair it.

Technical support is available on all SolidMotion™ products. For technical support , please email: support@SolidMotion.co.uk or call . Your telephone call or email will be answered during regular business hours, Monday through Friday,8AM - 5PM GMT. PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE IF NO ONE ANSWERS THE PHONE. We will call you back as soon as possible. Please have your product model number and a description of the problem ready before you call. If you purchased SolidMotion™ products from a SolidMotion™ dealer, you will need to contact the dealer you purchased it from and handle the return through them.

Please note that we have no dealers, right now, but you are welcome to inquire if you'd like to distribute our products..

Before calling us, know that we will be able to serve you more efficiently if you have the following information:

• The serial number and model number of the devices involved
• The installation procedure that you used
• A list of concise symptoms
• A list of operating procedures and conditions that you were using when the problem arose
• List of other devices connected to the system and a description of those connections
• List of other electrical connections on the same circuit in the room

DISCLAIMER

SolidMotion™ reserves the right to make changes without further notice to any of our products.

SolidMotion™ makes no warranty, representation or guarantee regarding the suitability of its products for any particular purpose, nor does SolidMotion™ assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit, and specifically disclaims any and all liability, including without limitation special, consequential or incidental damages.

SolidMotion™ products are not designed, intended, or authorized for use as components in systems intended for surgical implant into the body, or other applications intended to support or sustain life, or for any other application in which the failure of the SolidMotion™ product could create a situation where personal injury or death may occur. Should Buyer purchase or use SolidMotion™ products for any such unintended or unauthorized application, Buyer shall indemnify and hold SolidMotion™ and its officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, and distributors harmless against all claims, costs, damages, and expenses, and reasonable attorney fees arising out of, directly or indirectly, any claim of personal injury or death associated with such unintended or unauthorized use, even if such claim alleges that SolidMotion™ was negligent regarding the design or manufacture of the part.

“Typical” parameters which may be provided in SolidMotion™ data sheets and/or specifications can and do vary in different applications and actual performance may vary over time.

90 DAY WARRANTY

SolidMotion™ warrants that all our products will be free from defects, under normal use, in materials and workmanship for a period of 90 days. Within this warranty period, SolidMotion™ shall, at its discretion, repair or replace, free of charge, any equipment covered by this warranty which is returned, shipping charges prepaid, within 90 days from date of invoice, and which upon examination proves to be defective in material or workmanship and not caused by accident, misuse, neglect, alteration, improper installation, or improper testing.

All SolidMotion™ products are covered by a manufacturers warranty against faulty workmanship and materials, valid for 90 days from the date of original purchase. All products returned under warranty must be returned in their original packaging. Prior to installation, the equipment referred to in this document must be stored in a clean, dry environment, in accordance with any instructions given. Periodic checks must be made on the equipment’s condition.

The provisions of this warranty are the sole obligations of SolidMotion™ and excludes all other warranties expressed or implied. In no event shall SolidMotion™ be liable for incidental or consequential damages or for delay in performance of this warranty.

Computer Warranty

Consult the manufacturers of computers and peripheral devices (for example, printers, monitors, disk drives) used in conjunction with SolidMotion™ devices and software for information about warranties. The warranties on computers and peripheral devices are those provided by the manufacturer. SolidMotion™ offers no additional warranties.

Warranty Repair

SolidMotion™ devices covered under warranty will be repaired or replaced and returned to you at no charge. If you have any questions about applicability, please contact the SolidMotion™ Customer Service Department or your SolidMotion™ representative.

Non-Warranty Repair

For out-of-warranty repairs, contact your SolidMotion™ representative or the SolidMotion™ Customer Service Department. A customer service representative will discuss service options with you and can assist in making arrangements to return the device, if necessary. The warranty is invalidated by:

• Operating the device in a manner it was not intended for.
• Operating the device outside of its design specification.
• Performing unauthorized disassembly, maintenance or modifications on the device.

Return Procedure

If you are in the United States, contact the SolidMotion™ Customer Service Department to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. An RMA number MUST be obtained before returning a device. We cannot accept returned mer-chandise without an RMA Number.

To Return a Device

• Carefully pack the item to prevent damage in transit. Check with SolidMotion™ regarding proper method of shipment. No responsibility is assumed by SolidMotion™ for damage caused by improperly packaged products. Indicate the RMA number on the carton or on the packing slip.
• Always insure for the replacement value of the item.
• Include a description of symptoms, your name, return address, phone number and purchase order to cover repair costs, return and shipping charges, if your institution requires it.

Ship to:

SolidMotion™
Attention: Customer Service (RMA number)
8900-C N. Industrial Rd., Peoria, IL 61615

Due to custom restrictions, products CANNOT be returned from outside the USA.

Trademarks & Copyrights

SolidMotion™, the SolidMotion™ logo, our electronic circuit designs, and the colored motor system are trademarks of SR Robotics, Inc. All rights reserved. All text, images, diagrams, etc on this website are Copyright © SR Robotics, Inc. dba SolidMotion™.

Customer Feedback

It is always helpful to have detailed and accurate information about any problems encountered by customers. We welcome comments or suggestions about any aspect of the equipment and instruction handbooks.

We are constantly looking to improve our products. We also like to know how our products are being used. Send us pictures of your project and we will give you 5% off your 1st order or 10% off of your second.

*These terms and warranty provisions are subject to change without notice.

At SOLIDMOTION™, we take privacy very seriously.

Our postal address is

We can be reached via e-mail at support@solismotion.co.uk

or you can reach us by telephone at: +44 7725 850689        

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Users can access this information by e-mailing us at the above address. Users also can have this information corrected by sending us e-mail at the above address.

If you feel that this site is not following its stated information policy, you may contact us at the above address or phone number.

 

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