RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: New to group and cnc

Jay:
|
|This may be a silly question but here goes anyway. When the cnc is
|not in use (powered up) do the motors freewheel allowing manual use?
|

It depends!

If you're using stepper motors, and if the wires to the steppers are
effectively OPEN circuited, and if you have double ended motors (shaft on
both ends of the motors) where one end is fitted with some kind of
handwheel, then yes, you can use the machine manually. I'm doing exactly
this with my Sherline equipment.

If you're using Servo motors, the same applies - I did this with CompuMotor
servos a few years back where we'd tie a pin on the controller either high
or low, which would turn off power to the windings, and then use a knob that
we put on the back spindle to manually adjust home, etc. (This was before we
had the home switches and limit switches installed and debugged)

BTW, I feel that having some kind of graduations or line on the knob is
quite helpful when debugging the systems, as you can use the physical
location of the line or graduations to tell if the motor is moving the
"correct" amount of distance.

-- Carol & Jerry Jankura
Strongsville, Ohio
So many toys, so little time....