[Newbie] Introduction And Questions.

I believe it could very well be the leading edge of the next paradigm shift in computers.
Kangaroo only has one style of docking station currently, but others are said to be in the works.. Plus other versions with more ram and a bigger ssd.
The connection ports it has on it's dock currently are somewhat limiting, but it does have wifi and bluetooth.

I was originally planning to start-up running my old laptop, but it is a Vista machine and not recommended for Eding CNC.
I then googled around looking for a refurbished SFF box, and found the little Kangaroo.:D For $99, what's not to like??
 
Jim_Hbar said:
Mr. Dawson:

Do you have any pointers on where a guy should look for connectors for the cabling to the steppers? - I'm looking for something that is approaching ip67 or 68 at the motors in particular, and bulkhead mount at the enclosure..
Need to handle 7.5ish amps @ peak.

Of course, what I would normally do are MS connectors, but it just seems wrong to spend double the money (or more) on the connectors than for the steppers and drives..:eek:

These things are cheap on EBAY, and I would use them at the can.
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These are cheap also - and I'd use them at the motor.


Neither is ideal - I would connect the shield at the motor with the 5th pin in the flat connector.
Then on the aviation style connector, do you think relying on the connector body itself for the shield grounding connection would be okay, or should one pull do a separate connection for that?
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I will start by saying I'm not an engineer.

I'm using the 5-pin Chinese aviation connectors on my mill conversion for both motors and limit/home switches. The 300# gear head is direct driven by a NEMA 42 stepper. I used the 5th pin as a ground for the wire shields. The panel side of the connector is grounded to the enclosure and the 5th pin is also terminated at he panel. Never had an issue with noise or amperage through the connector. For my electronics enclosure to be serviceable it sits on the floor on wheels under the flood coolant enclosure so I prefer to have every thing on connectors.

I will be very interested to see if you can get 23/24 size steppers to work.

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I have a handful of these coming from China - rated at 10Amps and IP68 for $3.55 each SHIPPED on Ebay. I will ground the shield external to the connector, on a spade terminal.
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The Kangaroo PC got dropped off today - It's barely bigger than my Smart Phone.. Just firing it up now, and installing all of the updates...................

I'm leaning heavily to using the Leadshine MX4660 4 drive brick - it's more money, but it eliminates much wiring. Rated for 60Vdc and 6 amps.

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We used Kabelschlepp on machines, but I don't have a need here... Not on my little mill.
I'm pretty sure I don't need any of the fancy cable either, but thanks for forwarding the info Jim.

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Jim_Hbar said:
I'm leaning heavily to using the Leadshine MX4660 4 drive brick - it's more money, but it eliminates much wiring. Rated for 60Vdc and 6 amps.
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That looks very nice. Exactly the same reasons I'll most likely get the G540+SmoothStepper combo. The brick + SS is $100 more than the Gecko + SS, but better specs. I can see why you like it.

I could only find two or three sources for the brick, all the same price. Not as common as the Gecko+SS, with less community support, but I know that won't phase you a bit! :tranquility:
 
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Looks like a nice little compact unit. It's amazing what they can do with modern electronics, a lot of power through a very small device.

Can't wait to get your feedback on the Kangaroo. Is that a USB 3.0 device?
 
Jim H. - Thank you for your annoying post about the LS MX4660. :big grin: The perplexing plethora of possible pleasing peripherals propels me to perpetual ponderous paralysis.

I noticed that they also sell the MX3660, basically the same unit but with 3 instead of 4 motor controllers for $100 less. Just about the same price as the Gecko G540.

You are right! The LS MX looks very nice indeed.

So, I'm wondering, how likely it is that I would want a 4th motor? What would I use it for? A powered rotary table? If I got the 3 controller model, would I be sorry in the future?
 
The 3660 only has a db25 connector (it doesn't have the additional 26 pin compact connector like the 4660) - but I don't see why you couldn't take the step and direction signals from your motion controller and feed one or two more discrete drives. You just don't have the wiring advantages, but most of the other I/O would be going through the 3660.

I just noticed that the 4660 also appears to have two 12vdc sources that are available for powering inputs... Cool!
 
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