Bit of an update.
Been a slow progression here, namely costs and priorites got the better of me.
Since the last update the following has happened :
- I spiked the breakout board a couple of weeks ago, with one of the loose motor wires (doh!) And it still worked, but one motor would turn only one way. I figured I spiked the IC. Just re-purchased another board, no worries now... Motor wires are taped up
- Bought a USB to Parallel adapter, on the onus that I would try to atleast attempt a connection to the controller. Nada, tried so many ways of drivers and all, I gave up as there is virtually no software or extremely hard to find someone who makes a type of usb to parallel port connection, so you can talk to the controller. These devices are "strictly" Printer only. I did read on IIS about the issues, but had to make it clear to myself that it could or couldn't be done. (It cannot be done)
- Looked at various ways of getting a parallel port connection using the new laptop. Found that you can buy an "expresscard" to use with the late laptops that can be built with parallel port connection.
- This option is the "only" and best alternative, than to buy an older Laptop PC with a dedicated printer port.
- Finally found a expresscard with a printer port, however this was an arduous procedure. No one stocked them. Went to about 7 stores (DSE, Jaycar, Officeworks, HN, etc etc). You could buy a Serial Port version, but not the Printer Port one.
- The only way was to purchase an expresscard via Ebay. That is, a PCI-E version, not the USB one. Had to buy it from China (Taiwan) for $59 AUD, including airmail shipping.
So far, as everything was a guess that it would work, has now come to a point that everything does infact work.
I now have succesfully tested a late model laptop, fitted with an expresscard (PCI-e) parallel port connected to a cnc breakout board (controller) that supplies two drivers and motors with a function to work.
Because there is such a finite control, I still haven't figured out the stepping yet, as it works so finitely, it's so hard to see it work.
I am still awaiting the delivery of my worm gear set from HES (Smallparts in QLD), it's due in around a week or so. But just realised, I have a package at the Post Office waiting for me. It might be the gears, or it might be some AC/DC tix.
Anyways, i'm just so relieved that now I can get somewhere with this stepper system with the newish laptop.
The hardest part now, is setting up the software (configs). I had it working really well on the Desktop ages ago, but wiped all my settings due to windows being corrupt and reloading it.
So now, I have to "trial and error" things to get what I used to have.