Objectives:
Select the best affordable XYZ system.
I would like to end up with a system that can do plasma cutting, routing(including pcb’s, and 3D printing.
Software system
Cost est. $0-$100
Considerations:
linuxCNC.org (EMC)
Mach3 machsupport.com, windows only, $175
Microcontroller (arduino) based g-code translator to step/direction (see reprap)
Control, Drive, power supply and motors
Cost est. $300-$800
Gecko drives *3 = $380 + ps + motors $50 ea. — l like this so far actually, with the exception that it uses bi-polar rather than uni-polar. Also no closed loop option.
xylotex.com $460 board and motors
hobbycnc.com $460 + $51 ea. motors
pico-systems.com (works with emc) $250 wo/motors
LOOK INTO cnc4pc.com, probotix.com, buildyourcnc.com,
If the motor driver is seperate from the controller etc. that I will have more options going forward.
generally 425oz-in bipolar = 305oz-in unipolar
sounds like unipolar is better also more than 4 wires
Torch Height Control system (THC)
Cost est. $200
Table design
Cost est. $300
3D extruder system and software
Cost est. $100
Plasma power supply
Cost est. $1500-$1800
Estamated total cost $2000-$4000