I'm trying to build a small CNC to drill foams only.
I was looking at the mechanical aspect of a printer and thought I could use those parts for my CNC.

Anyone have any suggestions or would like to share their opinion?
Any would be appreciated.

Hi venomx999..

Actually I'm now trying to build a smaller cnc gantry using stepping-motor (Mitsumi stepping motor model M42SP-6TE) from Canon old printer model 100sp and Lexmark old printer model Z23..

But I just faced a new prob..
It's about how to match the circuit board with the unipolar-stepper motor..

Hmm..

I have a few of those stepping motor too. I'm just as clueless as you are.
I read from somewhere that you have to change the circuit on the back of the motor for it to work ?

Hi venomx999..

Actually I'm now trying to build a smaller cnc gantry using stepping-motor (Mitsumi stepping motor model M42SP-6TE) from Canon old printer model 100sp and Lexmark old printer model Z23..

But I just faced a new prob..
It's about how to match the circuit board with the unipolar-stepper motor..

Hmm..

You need to describe your problem if you want someone to offer some ways to solve it...

use the u2 chip from the turbocnc website

works great on my pm55l unipolar motors , i changed the output drive with a uln2801 chip .

The 3 stepping motors I have are Mitsumi M42SP-5

These came from All-In-One HP printers. After observations I noticed there are soldered control board on them.

I am thinking these board could be used to control the stepping motor. Thus no need for an extra control board. Anyone ?

these chips are on them: f P37AB HC14

these chips are on them: f P37AB HC14
Unless you can find the datasheet for them, it's gonna be 'fun' tracing the tracks and trial & testing. I wouldn't go that route :rolleyes:

Building a discrete unipolar driver is simple if you're electronically inclined. If not, electronic kits are plenty and reasonably priced.

I found these specs on the stepping motors on Mitsumi website:

"The M42SP-5 has acquired the highest output torque among the outer diameter 42mm model series-holding torque: 78.4mN-m, pull out torque: 27.6mN-m/200pps, and pull-in torque: 26.5mN-m/200pps(12VDC)."

These babies will be PERFECT for my foam drilling cnc. Couldn't be anymore happier :)

As for the control board, I decide to go with this self-contained, 3-axis unipolar board on www.pminmo.com - Lots of thanks to Phil for having a great site :)

I will post some pics when it is finished. In 2 weeks most ?..hopefully :)

Hello..

You need to describe your problem if you want someone to offer some ways to solve it...


Thanks a lot for the advice.. :p
Actually, I got a lot to understand about the stepper motors, what's to plan next.. and so on.. just because i start from scratch..

Here a few pictures about the small cnc machines I built a few weeks ago..

About the hardware..
The instruction about 'how to make it', I follow the instruction on the book..
CNC Robotics: Build Your Own Workshop Bot (TAB Robotics S.)
Book by Geoff Williams
But the hardware build actually suitable for bipolar motor, interface with KCam4 software..

But I'm not really sure is it could work with unipolar or not..
Try and error..! :drowning:

I read from somewhere that you have to change the circuit on the back of the motor for it to work ?

Hmm, I think that it is hard to use the printer's circuit board to make a router job.. But, it is quite hard to understand how to interface the new board to the unipolar step-motor too..

Check my new thread>
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15159

Hmm.. here about datasheet of Mitsumi M42SP-7 step-motor..
I thought it is simillar with the motor we used..

"The M42SP-5 has acquired the highest output torque among the outer diameter 42mm model series-holding torque: 78.4mN-m, pull out torque: 27.6mN-m/200pps, and pull-in torque: 26.5mN-m/200pps(12VDC)."


Would you kindly explain about what's the different between holding-torque, pull out and pull in torque.. I feel dizzy to understand this.. :D
Just I'm not in electrical background..

WWWhoooaaa...

YOU MADE A CNC frame out of 3 printer frames ??!!! You have got to SHOW me how to connect them together :) * I happen to live near by an electronic warehouse...they throw a way HEAP load of none-working printers. I could have some fun putting together a HEAP load of CNC mills LOL

- As for your question, my best quest on the different types of torques

1. Holding torque- Is when the motor is staying in one fix place
2 Pull in torque - when it is being used to pull
3 Pull out torque - when switching in reverse

Muzammil,

Check how many wires the stepper motor has. If 5 then it's unipolar. If 4 then for sure it's bipolar. If 6 then probably unipolar but can be driven as bipolar.

Great job on reusing the printer mechanics but I'm sure you noticed that it's belt driven and the idle pulley is spring loaded. I'm guessing it will be okay for light cuts.

4wires can be UNIPOLAR as well, my Unipolar Mitzumi motors are 4wires.

Just thought I'd say COOL! Don't know how useful it would be, but it looks like a great use of printer parts for something!

Dave

4wires can be UNIPOLAR as well, my Unipolar Mitzumi motors are 4wires.

Can you show how it's wired to your unipolar driver? I haven't seen it before so I'm putting on my learning cap now :)

BTW, the datasheet shows 5 'solder points' on motor. Are you saying only 4 are actually wired?

YOU MADE A CNC frame out of 3 printer frames ??!!! You have got to SHOW me how to connect them together * I happen to live near by an electronic warehouse...they throw a way HEAP load of none-working printers. I could have some fun putting together a HEAP load of CNC mills LOL

- As for your question, my best quest on the different types of torques

1.Holding torque- Is when the motor is staying in one fix place
2 Pull in torque - when it is being used to pull
3 Pull out torque - when switching in reverse


Thanks a lot for the information.. ;)

Hmm..

You have got to SHOW me how to connect them together

I guess that you should open up one printer to know about the linear motion it used. I'd cut a printer head and assemble it with a block of aluminum..
Hmm, I thought these pictures would help..

what a life saver u are! I thank you :)
Now I can make a quick mill to help me make parts for a more sturdier one - lost foam metal casting for parts :)

By the way, I noticed those are bipolar motors...which control board are u going to use ?

I made a unipolar PCB...now its just sittin here. Im thinking of saving it for my 2nd mill or just sell it :\

I made a unipolar PCB...now its just sittin here. Im thinking of saving it for my 2nd mill or just sell it :\

If you give up on getting your motors to work with this board, how much would you want for it?

Dave

Parts alone are $34 + PBC board + etching kit + other accessories ...ran me closed to $100 to make that board.

Im selling for $55 is a give away price.

I dont have any unipolar motors (5wires +) So there is no use for it.
venoom2001@hotmail.com if you're interested
paypal preferred :)

Abasir,

I found this link posted by Pminmo. This is how a Mitsumi 4wire bipolar could be wired as a unipolar or vice versa: http://www.mitsumi.co.jp/Catalog/compo/motor/misc/prodinfo/text01e.pdf

*just double up the wires and/or make a jumper.