Gecko G540
 Geckodrive G540 | |
| Status | In Production |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Geckodrive |
| MSRP | $299.00 |
The G540 is a complete 4-axis system which plugs directly into your computer via the parallel port and to your motors through DB9 connectors. It contains four of the Geckodrive G250 drives, our a custon breakout board and a hard anodized aluminum case.
Related Application Notes:
G540 Software Configuration File (XML)
G540 Heatsinking Experiment and Guide
Contents
Specifications
| Minimum | Maximum | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 15 | 50 | VDC |
| Motor Current | 0 | 3.5 | A |
| Power Dissipation | 1 | 68 | W |
| Temperature | 0 | 70 | °C |
| Humidity | 0 | 95 | % |
| Motor Inductance | 1 | 50 | mH |
| Input Frequency | 0 | 250 | kHz |
| Step Pulse “0” Time | 2 | uS | |
| Step Pulse “1” Time | 1 | uS | |
| Direction Setup | (Before step rising edge) | 200 | nS |
| Direction Setup | (Hold after pulse rising edge) | 200 | nS |
| Signal Voltage | 3.3 | 5 | VDC |
| Weight | 7.9 | oz | |
| Input Voltage | 0 | 12 | VDC |
| Output Current | 0 | 1 | A |
| Output Voltage | 0 | 50 | VDC |
| VFD Output | 0 | 12 | VDC |
| Current Standby | 70 | % of set current |
Images
Pinout
DB25 Pinout
| Pin Number | Minimum |
|---|---|
| 1 | OUTPUT 2 |
| 2 | X-AXIS STEP |
| 3 | X-AXIS DIRECTION |
| 4 | Y-AXIS STEP |
| 5 | Y-AXIS DIRECTION |
| 6 | Z-AXIS STEP |
| 7 | Z-AXIS DIRECTION |
| 8 | A-AXIS STEP |
| 9 | A-AXIS DIRECTION |
| 10 | INPUT 1 |
| 11 | INPUT 2 |
| 12 | INPUT 3 |
| 13 | INPUT 4 |
| 14 | VFD PWM (50 Hz) |
| 15 | FAULT (input to PC) |
| 16 | CHARGE PUMP (>10 kHz) |
| 17 | OUTPUT 1 |
| 18 | GND |
| 19 | GND |
| 20 | GND |
| 21 | GND |
| 22 | GND |
| 23 | GND |
| 24 | GND |
| 25 | GND |
DB9 Pinout
| Pin Number | Minimum |
|---|---|
| 1 | CURRENT SET RESISTOR |
| 2 | N/C |
| 3 | N/C |
| 4 | N/C |
| 5 | CURRENT SET RESISTOR |
| 6 | PHASE B + MOTOR WIRE |
| 7 | PHASE B - MOTOR WIRE |
| 8 | PHASE A + MOTOR WIRE |
| 9 | PHASE A - MOTOR WIRE |
Main Terminal Block Pinout
| Pin Number | Minimum |
|---|---|
| 1 | INPUT 1 (DB25 PIN 10) |
| 2 | INPUT 2 (DB25 PIN 11) |
| 3 | INPUT 3 (DB25 PIN 12) |
| 4 | INPUT 4 (DB25 PIN 13) |
| 5 | OUTPUT 1 (DB25 PIN 17) |
| 6 | OUTPUT 2 (DB25 PIN 1) |
| 7 | VFD GROUND |
| 8 | VFD OUTPUT |
| 9 | VFD +10VDC |
| 10 | DISABLE INPUT (E-STOP) |
| 11 | SUPPLY +18 – 50VDC |
| 12 | POWER SUPPLY GND |
Troubleshooting
Generally speaking, there are only a few reasons why the G540 will not function as expected. The most common are listed below.
PROBLEM: G540 UNRESPONSIVE (RED LED LIT CONSTANTLY)
SOLUTION: This is the most common fault and can be caused by several problems. First, double check that a jumper wire or normally closed switch is present between PIN 10 and PIN 12 on the 12 POSITION TERMINAL BLOCK. Next, turn the CHARGE PUMP SWITCH to the OFF position; if the green LED comes on then there is a problem with your CNC program not putting out a charge pump signal on PIN 16. If those do not work, check the motor for holding torque; if you do not have holding torque move on to the next section.
PROBLEM: NO MOTOR HOLDING TORQUE
SOLUTION: Verify that your motor is connected to the G540 with the DB9 connector and that it is wired as it says in the motor’s datasheet. Check the LED indicators to verify that power is being applied to the G540. Lastly, make sure that you have an appropriately sized current set resistor. If there is not one present or it is grossly undersized you may have burned out your motor and it could be shorted internally.
PROBLEM: NO LEDS LIT
SOLUTION: Verify that the power supply is plugged in correctly to the 12-PIN TERMINAL BLOCK. If it is and power is applied with no LEDs being lit up, you have most likely had the fuse blow open. To check the fuse you must first remove the cover. The fuse is located by the 12-PIN TERMINAL BLOCK on the underside of the motherboard; you can pull the motherboard off of the G250 drives to access it. Next, use an ohmmeter to check for continuity on the fuse, which looks like a green 1/4W resistor. If the fuse it destroyed you may contact Geckodrive for replacement fuses or order spares online with part number F2318-ND from www.digikey.com.
PROBLEM: INPUTS OR OUTPUTS NOT WORKING
SOLUTION: This problem is most often caused by a problem with the parallel port or the parallel cable. Use an ohmmeter to verify that your cable is a straight through cable and not a crossover or a printer cable. Next, go into BIOS and make sure that your parallel port is set to EPP or “Send/Receive” mode. If your parallel port is on your motherboard and is not a PCI card then the problem could be that it is incapable of EPP operation. Use a PCI parallel card and see if the problem persists.
PROBLEM: G540 GETS HOT
SOLUTION: The G540, being a stepper drive, is meant to get warm. While operating at its maximums the G540 can get up to 70C (158F) comfortably; heatsinking is mandatory if the temperature gets above that range. On the Geckodrive website is a document titled “G540 Heatsink Experiment” that discusses issues of overheating. If the G540 is in a control cabinet or an area with limited airflow it is required to put an intake and exhaust fan in the enclosure. Please read the cited document if you have further questions.