These closed-loop servo motors are getting at an interesting price point. I have bought a couple of them to give them a try, but they improve over Easy servos on the use of a vector drive for the stepper and fewer and thinner wires. Is anyone using them?
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-Integrate-Closed-Loop-Stepper-Motor-Drive-2NM-Position-Encoder-36V-57mm-NEMA23-IHSS57-36-20/32505194489.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.1.PoT9fn&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_10,searchweb201602_5_10057_10056_10037_10055_10049_10044_10043_10059_10033_10058_10032_10017_405_404_407_10040_10041_10042,searchweb201603_1&btsid=66e3e498-b889-4a88-aa11-304307123492
Funny, I have been looking into something like this as well. Then I came across this paper from Tormach:
http://www.tormach.com/uploads/300/ED10223_Series_3_Whitepaper_0214A-pdf.html
After reading it, I think I’ll be looking into the 3-phase hybrid steppers. Something like this:
You can get these cheaper than that if you keep looking
I’d love to move to servos as per Tormach, but can’t afford it. I’d like to do closed-loop steppers using linear gauges on the ways. Then, to some extent, I don’t even care about motion faults: I can just keep waiting until it gets where it’s going and continue from there.
@John_Scherer Interesting paper. Thanks. I have one of these three-phase closed-loop motors coming my way too. I have seen that Oriental motor manufactures five-phase steppers too. The more phases the smoother the rotation and the higher the maximum speed.
I have a five-phase stepper. They’re a bear to drive, though, and using someone else’s electronics gets expensive.
@John_Bump Have you tested the Leadshine brushless servos? http://www.leadshine.com/producttypes.aspx?type=products&category=servo-products&producttype=integrated-servo-motors
I hadn’t even seen them before. Sweet.
We did some testing on… i think the same stepper. It had a TCP ethernet port. We started doing some development. It has an instruction set named SCL…i think. Was a bit tricky so we have placed it on hold mostly because if you happen to loose communication with it after sending a jog command it would just carry on running. Its not all doom and gloom… im sure we will continue development again. We were wanting to control it via PLC.
Thanks a lot @Daryn_Smith . This one unit uses step/dir interface so it is somehow simpler. I can see this SCL manual http://www.applied-motion.com/sites/default/files/920-0010B_SCL_manual.pdf so I think you remember right 
What I gather from CJ command is that it starts jogging and it needs to be stopped by another command, so my guess is that failing to do so the motor will keep running (forever?, till limits are reached?).
I currently don’t own a uStepper but from what I’ve read it supports Nema23 with an adapter kit, which is required to mount on the back side. As for Current limit per coil you need to contact uStepper.com. Last I checked max motor current was 2 Amp due to on board driver. Also, it is OpenSource. Please check github for design specs if you choose to design/fab your own. And provide props to designer.
@Matt_Wils Thanks. I can see they use an A4988 driver, the 2 Amps is most likely a bit optimistic unless very good cooling is present. A bit short for some motors but it certainly could move some nema23.
Hi Miguel I bought both of them months ago and Im very happy powerful, quite and very precise good choice ,my printer is flying now!!!
@Ignacio_Garcia I’m looking at purchasing these but I requires soft Endstops/limits. Do you happens to have a sketch for this option?
I reckon autodetection of limits should be possible as it has an alarm output (whenever following error is over a threshold). If axis is moved slowly to each end till alarm is triggered that can be used to detect axis ends.
But the need for end-stops is, in my opinion, for performing automatic motions stored in the motor (for automation applications). My intended use is with an external motion controller for a CNC machine.
I have just tried a iHSST-57 from JMC-motion and first impression is that they are really underpowered. Much better opinion I have got from closed-loop steppers where driver is held in a driver box (easy stepper). My guess is that not much power dissipation is possible in the built-in driver electronics.
A very poor detail was the faceplate with all the input pins details was poorly glued (barely staying in place). I cannot recommend them for any serious job needing a big push, though I guess it is alright for a laser cutter or small CNC machines (desktop size).