Shopbot PRT (Resolved)

[mousecnc]

HI I just found this forum and was watching the videos of Shopbot upgrades. I have a Shopbot PRT standard running an upgraded 4G board and was wondering what I would need to get a Acorn running on it, Is this possible to do.

[Gary Campbell]

mouse...
You have 2 options

1) Buy one of these complete, ready to run systems:

2) Search around and see if you can find some drives that are compatible with those high inductance legacy Oriental motors and build a control yourself. There is lots of info here. You should be able to get working using a new system and the Gecko drives.

[mousecnc]

So I could use my old steppers and the Gecko drives to run it

[Gary Campbell]

yes you can. As long as you understand the limitations of using those high inductance motors. They have very limited performance, especially at speed. You can assume that there have been huge improvements made to stepper motors and drives in the 20 years since those motors and drives came out.

[mousecnc]

Gary would I be better off buying one of your controllers

[Gary Campbell]

mouse...
Since I'm in the control box business, of course I would like to sell one.

That said many here build their own. I build products for those that don't have the skills, experience or time to build their own.

[martyscncgarage]

Gary's experience with ShopBot is invaluable. Consider one of his controls. Check out the Buy Sell Trade forum on the main page:
index.php

[cnckeith]

i would replace the axis motors and drives with modern closed loop leadshines, you would be way ahead of the game in both time and performance.

[mousecnc]

I had to put this on hold for a while as I have to have hand surgery. When I get back to being able to use it I will start the build.

[martyscncgarage]

I had to put this on hold for a while as I have to have hand surgery. When I get back to being able to use it I will start the build.

Hope you mend up quickly, but this is a good time to read up and watching videos before your build....

Marty