Re: Built first axis

> How fast do I need to go ? That is the question, I've built
> everything from scratch so I have nothing to compare to. Never even
> been around a CNC machine, That's why I'm asking. The way I'm testing
> is I wrote a program to toggle the printer port line and ran it into
> my controller. Then I put a ruler down and timed it. Kept reducing
> the delay in my program until I found the spot where the motor
> wouldn't turn anymore. Then I went with that. The motor isn't running
> out of torque because at top speed I put a 25 pound plate on it and
> it didn't seem to have any problem with it, as far as I can tell it
> wasn't missing steps, but can't verify at this point. I'm just
> wondering if where I'm at is a usable speed and go ahead and build
> the other 2 axis or if I need to rethink my design a little. I just
> have a lovejoy coupler going from the motor to the acme rod and then
> to a bracket with a nut on it. So I think that is considered direct
> drive. Just trying to verify I'm not wasting my time is all.
>

I'm getting 1 IPS on a moving gantry table with one NEMA 34 motor driving both x axis 8 TPI lead screws. The lead screws are overdriven 1:2, which with Gecko 201 drives, gets me 8000 steps per inch. I can push it to 2 IPS but not relaibly....or at least I could. Yesterday the X axis motor smoked.

I think once I get my motor problem fixed, which has been a nagging problem since day one, I'll be able to get 3+ IPS. My plasma cutter runs well at 1 IPS but I like 3 IPS for rapid travel speeds. Theoretically, with good motors, I should be able to run right up to the max pulse rate of Mach1, which would mean 3.125 IPM.

Ross