Hi,
there are many people that have gone down the same road but,

(1) & (2)
this guy has various interface H/W
http://www.edingcnc.com/index.php?taalid=3D2
all depends on the S/W you intend to use.

http://pminmo.com/ has lots of standard interfaces.
the actual choice of driver chip is best targeted to the motors used.

(3) TRINAMIC
 http://tinyurl.com/y8nf2ly

(4) Microchip does have a few application notes for PIC based
unipolar and bipolar motor controllers.

regards
Andrew Burchill

On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 3:35 PM, PICdude <picdude3@narwani.org> wrote:
>
> [ I'm using the PIC tag for this for now, as there is some PIC
> content, and we really need to see more of the PIC tag on this forum
> lately. ]
>
> I'm searching for a multi-axis stepper-motor motion controller, but
> the options I've found so far are pricey, so that leads to the thought
> of rolling my own. =A0Don't really need another project right now, but
> I'll make the time for it if it saves me a few hundred $$$.
>
> My requirements are relatively simple... Interface to a PC (parallel,
> RS-232, USB, or I2C) to accept commands to move to a 3-dimensional
> vector position (X,Y,Z) with a certain acceleration and max speed
> value. =A0The controller will move to that position (coordinated),
> accelerating and decelerating accordingly, and sending back some
> signal to indicate that it's completed that operation. =A0Future
> embellishments may include reading quadrature encoders to verify that
> moves are successful. The controller will need to output only step/dir
> signals for each axis, which will go to individual drivers.
>
> So my questions...
> (1) Know of any simple 3-axis controllers that will do this at a
> relatively decent cost? =A0I'd need it to provide the interface protocol
> spec, or a Linux library/API.
>
> (2) Know of any projects/circuits on the net that does this?
>
> (3) Know of any controller chips that will make this easy? =A0I found a
> similar-ish controller by National semi (LM629), but it was for DC
> servo motors. =A0Would be great to find a similar stepper chip.
>
> (4) As I also consider the home-brew PIC option, I'm wondering which
> PIC would be suitable. =A0There would be a good bit of math, and rigid
> timing. =A0I've only used PIC 16F's and 18F's to date, but I expect on
> of the dsPIC's or 32-bit options would be ideal.
>
> Cheers,
> -Neil.
>
>
>
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
> View/change your membership options at
> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist



--
...AB

-- =

http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist