Re: using a stepper motor for spindle on a lathe

Hi Jon, thanks for the reply. I thought I might be able to provide
some extra cooling with a fan, power the field winding and get a servo
drive that can handle 180 volts 13 amps but came to the conclusion
that I might be better off with a real servo motor. I thought of
selling the Baldor to help finance the change...

Thanks,
Keith

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@p...> wrote:
>
> Keith Clark wrote:
>
> >The motor is a 3 hp Baldor DC motor with a controller. I am hoping to
> >add an available encoder and try to control this motor with Mach3. I
> >do not know if this will be possible but assume that it cannot be
> >controlled like a servo or stepper to act as the 4th axis. I assume
> >that I will need a stepper or servo, do you agree?
> >
> >
> I don't see why you can't use such a motor as a servo. You will need to
> install an encoder to the spindle. And, you will almost certainly
need to
> provide a servo drive for the motor. The speed controller is probably
> not designed for such a purpose.
>
> If it is a wound-field motor, you will need to provide a simple
power supply
> for the field winding.
>
> Jon
>