I just changed the order for AR4 stepper kit to AR3 stepper kit, bought from Mouser the encoders and connectors, and all should be right. I believe I can live with the bigger encoder right now, the issues with powering these encoders are simple to sort out, and Chris was good to detail them very well in the manual for AR3. And I trust a lot the CUI encoders, I used them a lot in other projects.
I just talked with my contact at stepper online and production on 5 of the 6 motor is complete. The last motor is waiting on parts from a facility in Shanghai which is still under a Covid lockdown. As soon as the lockdown is lifted the motors should ship quickly. The Covid lockdowns are the same reason I have been out of stock on the aluminum and combo kits. Hopefully this all ends soon and I apologize for the delays.
Back when I did my AR3 build, all of the parts of the stepper kit were also available individually (and it was $25 cheaper to buy them individually). If there is only a part or two that is holding up the kit you might be able to get everything else and get started on your build.
I just changed the order for AR4 stepper kit to AR3 stepper kit, bought from Mouser the encoders and connectors, and all should be right. I believe I can live with the bigger encoder right now, the issues with powering these encoders are simple to sort out, and Chris was good to detail them very well in the manual for AR3. And I trust a lot the CUI encoders, I used them a lot in other projects.
I have contacted these companies: -Epic Tech Sales
-Oriental Motor
-Arrow
-AVNET
-ElectroCraft
-Aero Tech
-IGUS.com
All of which have contacted me and in some way or another are unable to provide an exact kit as the AR4 from Stepper Online.
I just talked with my contact at stepper online and production on 5 of the 6 motor is complete. The last motor is waiting on parts from a facility in Shanghai which is still under a Covid lockdown. As soon as the lockdown is lifted the motors should ship quickly. The Covid lockdowns are the same reason I have been out of stock on the aluminum and combo kits. Hopefully this all ends soon and I apologize for the delays.
I put a pre-order in over a month ago... I'm just sitting around waiting with my limp arm :(
Back when I did my AR3 build, all of the parts of the stepper kit were also available individually (and it was $25 cheaper to buy them individually). If there is only a part or two that is holding up the kit you might be able to get everything else and get started on your build.