RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] automation direct sure step

WOW –My initialtion of the Xylotex thread was 3 minutes into Sunday the
13th, then I went to bed. Dave replied at 12:19, 16 minutes later. Then
later Sunday AM, I sent the thread below (sent at 08:23 on Nov 13) as a
reply to Dave’s initial reply about the Xylotex power supply. Somehow it
took 18 hours to hit the listserv and there had already been a lot of
advice, so the question about steppers looks really out of context. Am I
doin something wrong with my posts?

Anyway, the motors on the minimill that is run by Xylotex whose power supply
just went south are the Automation Direct units described below – they are
about 2.25” square so I am thinking they are NEMA 23. They seem too weak
for the minimill, as if I tighten the gib enough to have the center of
travel reasonably tight I miss steps at the endpoints of travel, so I really
only have about 5” of the “monster” 7” travel on this minimill. I’ve had
the table off several times, thinking that I needed to do something
mechanical to the ways/gib to make the table drag more uniform, and with
power off I can turn the table to the full “X” range by hand, so I really
think a little stronger steppers is what I’d like. So I’m wondering if a
different controller (than the Xylotex) on these steppers would help or if I
need different steppers. The X and Y screws are ACME 5/8 x 8 thread and I
built a plastic antibacklash nut for X, that seems to work pretty well, but
needs slightly more torque to turn (but I can still get “X” to both ends by
hand with power off).

And for the router, I’m thinking it would be something like a 12”x12 or
maybe18” gantry type router – maybe a Rockcliff or something similar. I
thot I’d use something like ½”-20 allthread to run the X/Y. Would the
Xylotex run something like that or have I outgrown the Xylotex? I was
hoping to use it (Xylotex) to run both for a while, until there was more
demand for the technology, then we could justify separate controllers, but
maybe I just need to build a totally separate unit/control.

So many projects – so little time. I was “showing off” to the kids and we
were making our first ever real part for one of our competition robots when
the Xylotex power supply went south. The wind went out of the sails on this
CNC project with that one :o((

C
first, changed the subject line. not about xylotex anymore

if you have a decent control box. great. get more cables. do not try to
switch them. only adds a weak spot, one that could blow out the driver. very
risky.

I would keep that control box, and start a new project for a new box.
and, yes, if you feel your motors are under powered, there are options. a
Gecko would be my recomendation. but which one ?

first nema 23 ? 34?
what voltage is your power supply ?
what type of machine ?

before anyone can offer a potential solution, we need the basics.

Dave

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO%40yahoogroups.com> , "chuck" <chuckm@...> wrote:

>
> Thanks, a question about steppers... I have
> Automation direct
> Sure step
> 1.8 deg/step
> 276 ozin
> 2.8amps
> Would these fit your definition of "low voltage"? They seem too weak to

me- I have to run pretty light gib pressure. If not, could u recommend
steppers?

>
> And one other question. I'm looking at making a wood, plastic, light metal

router and am thinking that I'd like to use the same stepper drivers and
computer - at least initially. So I might change motor cables between the
two machines or even find a stack of db9 "AB" boxes. Any thots about that
would be welcome.

>
> Thx, C
> Sent via my "ChuckBerry" by AT&T
>

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