If I'm using the 10 threads per inch stock leadscrews, how many oz in do my steppers need to be? Is a nema 23 stepper with 280 enough? I'm not trying to be a cheap skate, I'd like to get the biggest nema 23 steppers I can find but I get the feeling I might have problems with the X axis when it sticks out all the way on the side the motor is on. That could be a lot of weight hanging that far out.

Stepper performance depends on more than ozin rating. For reference see my video here: http://pminmo.com/which-stepper-motor

It's also about coil voltage, coil inductance, power supply voltage and driver type.

The weight of a stepper on the end of a table is nothing, no need to be worried about that at all. If im not mistaken most guys CNCing X3's use keling 387oz/in nema 23 motors for their x and y.

That is about the size steppers I recommend for an X3. Remember that your stepper drivers, power supply and steppers and lead-screws need to work well together for best performance.

With only 10 tpi lead screws you will want a belt reduction to get the steppers operating with enough torque at the speeds you will be running. Somewhere between 1.5:1 to 2:1 would be good.

A good combination is 276 oz-in steppers, a good 48V power supply, and a G540: http://soigeneris.com/CNCParts.aspx . :)

One thing I noticed right away with my SmoothStepper was that, as well as other advantages, it dramatically increased torque. I already had a G540 but the SS driving the pulses with better timing... I'd kinda like to say there's like 2x or 3x more torque that what the parallel port was capable of. Especially at high speed where it really mattered.

So yeah, "stepper performance depends on more than ozin rating".

The Geckodrive stuff is itself gets far better torque because it actually implements microstepping and phase lag compensation correctly, which no other controller really does. A 387 oz-in is about the most a G540 can handle though, simply because of the current capabilities.

The Geckodrive stuff is itself gets far better torque because it actually implements microstepping and phase lag compensation correctly, which no other controller really does.
It sounds like you drank the Kool-Aid...:bs:

Geckos are nice, but they not the only ones...

(nor are those the reasons why they are nice)

It sounds like you drank the Kool-Aid...:bs:



Ahh, somebody smart enough to realize how much Kool-aid is drunk here. :wave: Lot's of "Lemmings" that just regurgitate what they read.

Well guys instead of just bashing other folks how about some constructive criticism?

For instance: IMS also makes some nice drives but they are much more $$ than Gecko.

Well guys instead of just bashing other folks how about some constructive criticism?

For instance: IMS also makes some nice drives but they are much more $$ than Gecko.

Not bashing Gecko, I'm bashing the Lemmings.

That is exactly what I mean. If you not adding to the conversation then why not keep your mouth shut? Constructive criticism is great ,bashing other forum members stinks.

If I'm using the 10 threads per inch stock leadscrews, how many oz in do my steppers need to be? Is a nema 23 stepper with 280 enough? I'm not trying to be a cheap skate, I'd like to get the biggest nema 23 steppers I can find but I get the feeling I might have problems with the X axis when it sticks out all the way on the side the motor is on. That could be a lot of weight hanging that far out.


From what little I know aboout the X3, I would be concerned about a nema 23 on the Z axis. For cutting speeds on X and Y 280oz and 10 tpi (assuming .1" pitch) you should be in the range of 300 to 400 lbs of force at lower rpm's.

If I'm using the 10 threads per inch stock leadscrews, how many oz in do my steppers need to be? Is a nema 23 stepper with 280 enough? I'm not trying to be a cheap skate, I'd like to get the biggest nema 23 steppers I can find but I get the feeling I might have problems with the X axis when it sticks out all the way on the side the motor is on. That could be a lot of weight hanging that far out.

You can use this package for x3, it works for sure

http://www.kelinginc.net/Three34XCNCPackage.html

You can use this package for x3, it works for sure

http://www.kelinginc.net/Three34XCNCPackage.html
It may work but its not a great choice even for someone on a budget like me.
I did order my items from Keling but made better choices at similar cost with advice from CR and others here...
Read here -->http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75629

Somewhere on the forums is a link to the articles (description and photos) by Dick Stephen on his take on the convesion of the X3. I believe it can also be accessed through the CNC4PC site. Might be worth your time to look it up as he gives a very good take on the sizing of the motors. Tony Jeffree in the English ( Btitish) Model Engineers Workshop also comments on overpowering the same machine. Hope this helps.