Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #11057



To: alt-beam@egroups.com, "beam@sgiblab.sgi.com" beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: David Simmons devs@idirect.com
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 21:26:38 -0500
Subject: [alt-beam] Re:Diskette Drives


Timothy,

Stepper motors draw a fair amount of amps, depending on the voltage and size of
the motor. This makes it very difficult to power with an SE. Also most steppers
only move around 7.5 degrees/pulse. So you need somekind of driver. So far the
simplest driver I've found still needs a min. of 2 ICs, a driver and a 555
timer.
Plus the motors aren't much cheaper than the geared motors that are out there
on the market for ready sale. By the time you add the driver and timer to
generate the pulses it is more expensive. Complete driver boards, in kit form,
run around $30.00 Canadian for a good one, no motor. And a driver can only run
one motor at a time. If you have the coin to spend...

Does anyone else know of a stepper motor driver that is simpler? Or cheaper?

BTW There are no STUPID QUESTIONS...


Timothy Flytch wrote:

> Ok... WARNING STUPID QUESTION...
>
> why not use a stepper motor... If you set one up WITHOUT a driver or gear
> box... that is as you apply power to a stepper across one coil it will turn
> about 120' ... 1/3 of a turn??? now if you set up the walker with legs
> mounted directly on the shaft ... wouldn't you get feedback enough for the
> neuron loop??? and yes I do see similarities to using solenoids for the same
> function... but still you are generating a increase in field through a
> coil... isn't it the same as loading a moving motor???
> Timothy...
>


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