Might be best to dig that out again if you're planning on going with Mesa hardware. That's really what it seems to be designed for in the CNC space. The Clearpath SKs are servos that take step/dir signalling. You have to be sure your hardware can keep up with the pulse rates that a servo-speed device will demand, though maybe they have scaling options. They'll also, like other servos, need to be tuned, but I've heard good things about their autotune software. If someone else were paying for the project, I'd happily use them. Personally if I were to get servos I'd just go with DMM "real servos" (Mitsubishi/Delta/Yaskawa/etc style) like I suspect most people do. About 200%(?) more power at the same price, also autotuning software (that I've read isn't bad), and I've heard good things about their support. Also AC input drivers, I don't like PSUs. I like my G0758 CNC conversion, but I do generally wish I'd gone with a G0704. I just didn't like the idea of paying for a stand I wasn't gonna use. Not the best plan, in retrospect. Z height is everything. Having a manual mill/drill around the shop is super handy, but for now I'm stuck with an 8" drill press for minor manual hole-knocking work.
My wife Veto'd the drill press/mill purchase a while back... I'm working on convincing her. Have you looked t the Precision Mathews.. I think that comes without a stand, and could easily be converted to cnc without having to grind some metal out of the base plates. I'll more than likely end up with a Mesa board for anything large, if I keep the lead as is, I'll probably try out the 6 pack, or maybe the new Xpro V5. My biggest problem with the Mesa.. is the selection.. **** they have a lo of models and not a very good web site to help figure out what is what
Well, My Xpro V4 ate it.. sorta.. Y limit switch input is fried.. So.. I pulled the trigger.. I picked up the t pack, (1) 4 input IO module (for probe and limit switches), (1) PWM module, and 4 TMC5160s on amazon.. total cost was around $140.. If it does not work.. I'll sell it and just go with the Mesa setup, but that will increase the cost significantly, which I cannot afford right now.
It is doing fine now. There were some bumps in the road, but that is to be expected with a project like this, where you are perpetually a beta tester. The issue I had is that I went with the TMC5160 drivers, which back then at the time, had some serious issues, and I ended up going with external drivers, which I am happy with (as I run larger steppers at 70v). There is constant development, and the current version of the firmware FluidNC which replaced GRBL_ESP32 is fantastic. If you are technically inclined, and like to tinker as I do, it is a great option, if you don't like the occasional stumbling block, or want a controller for small scale production, then go with the Blackbox or Xpro V5
Thanks for the update! I like tinkering, but more so I need a 5th axis which the current Black Box doesn't have. I was also thinking of going with external drivers... Either DM542T or DM556T as I have NEMA 23 High Torque steppers.
I went overkill, I have DM860T with these steppers https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/d...3nm-400-oz-in-4a-57x84mm-8-wires-23hs33-4008d The 6 pack will support up to 6 stepper drivers, and there is a 6 axis version of the firmware. I have not tried it though.
If it helps, I am using the 6 pack with DM556T external drivers, a 48v power supply and the openbuilds high torque nema 23 motors on a machine. This combo is working very well for me.
Check tmc2160 drivers...they are around 13$...they are pretty quiet, and can controll stronger nema 23...
Join the Discord server Bart runs. It will help, and Bart is pretty responsive and active on it. Couple of things to note, with the new version of FluidNC, and the 6 pack, you need 2 Y limit switches (and not in parallel, they each need their own input). I believe they resolved the issues with the TMC5160, which I think offers a few more features than the 2160.
