Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] mini-mill and motors

If you get a Geckodrive, the 48V Sun 25A supply is not only much more
appropriate, it's actually almost the same price!

~$35 on eBay with shipping INCLUDED. Versus $20 from Allelectronics +
shipping isn't much less, and I wouldn't even recommend that supply in
the first place.

Danny

On 11/14/2011 8:03 PM, turbulatordude wrote:
> Hi,
>
> first off, the mini-mill has a horrible design flaw. you cannot easily lube the ways on the longitudinal travel.
> if your machine is getting tight at the ends, then the center is worn and the ends are not. that is a mechanical problem that motors might or might not solve.
>
> if you are open to driving the motors harder, then you do need to ditch the xylotex and put on something more robust.
>
> the geckos will run the machine better.
> what I would offer is that you get the $20 power supply from allelectroncis and keep the control panel. remove it from the mini-mill and put it on a small table top router type of unit.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Chuck Merja"<chuckm@...> wrote:
>>
>> 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
>>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>
>
>
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