Hi all - new member here. I’m using an SLB to control a DIY cnc mill running std open loop steppers. I am considering upgrading to closed loop steppers with integrated drivers. I understand that the SLB is intended to drive std steppers and has the motor drivers onboard. I also understand that the new SLB-EXT is intended to provide motor power and control signals to closed loop steppers as used in Sienci designs. I saw a thread here suggesting that the reason the SLB cannot be used to drive closed loop steppers has to do with the power supply in the Scienci design (24V vs 48V).
But it occurs to me that if I can access the step / dir / enable signals and provide my own power, the original SLB should be able to control closed loop steppers without issues. These would be the same signals that control the onboard motor drivers on the SLB, and exactly how the SLB drives the optional 4th axis. I would provide my own motor power unassociated with the SLB control power.
I thought that I may have seen a discussion on this somewhere, but I cannot seem to locate it now. Does anyone know if this type of modification would be possible? The SLB is fantastic in all other regards and it seems a shame to need to purchase another controller when I know the SLB can do it… This would be easy to do with other controllers that use socketed motor drivers. I’m hoping that the signals I need are available in the big IDC connector in the middle of the control board or similar…
Thanks!
EDIT - Bah! I checked out the SLB schematic and the 40 pin socket doesn’t have what I need… But I’ll keep looking!