- Joined
- Aug 20, 2024
- Messages
- 38
So my home built table feed came out so well, I'd like to do the same to the Z-axis on this mill. I was able to directly couple the table feed motor to the lead screw, but for the head, I'm going to have to run a timing/cog belt and pulleys. Due to the weight of the head, the handwheel for the Z-axis is geared at 2:1, but it's still a heavy bugger, and it takes a LOT of cranking to move the head up and down. What I'm trying to determine is if I should stay at 2:1 on the stepper motor, or can I get away with 1:1? The motor I'll be using is a NEMA 34, if I read the torque curve right, it's got more than enough torque to do the job, especially at the low speeds I'd be running at 1:1, I just don't know if there's other reasons to favor gearing it down.
In case more detail is needed, my plan is to basically eliminate the handwheel entirely, replace the gear at the bottom of the lead screw with a cogged pulley, then machine a motor mount at the back/bottom of the column. Here's a pic I found somewhere, my apologies for not being able to give proper attribution:
This is exactly what I plan to do, but the post that this pic came from didn't have any details about the drive setup. For the controls, I plan to do pretty much exactly the same thing I did with my table feed, just a simple DTSP toggle switch for direction, with speed being handled by a small controller and stepper driver, like this:
Ignore the mess, please, this whole setup is still a work in progress. The mount is just a section of 2x3 aluminum heavy wall tube, with a simple toggle switch for table direction, and speed being set at the controller in the enclosure on the wall, which is easily in reach for making changes on the fly. I have a HUGE speed range available with this system, with a direct readout of table speed, unlike the optional Grizzly unit that tops out at something like 11 IPM, and it's a heck of a lot cheaper, I could duplicate what I have here for ~$200 vs. over $600 for the Grizzly control. I still need to add a limit switch, but that'll be a simple proximity switch at the back of the table. Anyway, that's my plan, now I just need some guidance on drive selection on the Z-axis. Thanks!
Dave
In case more detail is needed, my plan is to basically eliminate the handwheel entirely, replace the gear at the bottom of the lead screw with a cogged pulley, then machine a motor mount at the back/bottom of the column. Here's a pic I found somewhere, my apologies for not being able to give proper attribution:
This is exactly what I plan to do, but the post that this pic came from didn't have any details about the drive setup. For the controls, I plan to do pretty much exactly the same thing I did with my table feed, just a simple DTSP toggle switch for direction, with speed being handled by a small controller and stepper driver, like this:
Ignore the mess, please, this whole setup is still a work in progress. The mount is just a section of 2x3 aluminum heavy wall tube, with a simple toggle switch for table direction, and speed being set at the controller in the enclosure on the wall, which is easily in reach for making changes on the fly. I have a HUGE speed range available with this system, with a direct readout of table speed, unlike the optional Grizzly unit that tops out at something like 11 IPM, and it's a heck of a lot cheaper, I could duplicate what I have here for ~$200 vs. over $600 for the Grizzly control. I still need to add a limit switch, but that'll be a simple proximity switch at the back of the table. Anyway, that's my plan, now I just need some guidance on drive selection on the Z-axis. Thanks!
Dave
