Need Help!- Need help deciding upgrades. For SX3 lol

[cjdavis618]

I have a Super X3 that I have built and used the Xylotex kit. Long story why the Xylotex was used, but I had already ordered the kit, based on an order for another mill. Then ended up with an Sx3 instead.

I have successfully put the Xylotex in, with the CNC fusion kit and made a few parts. But I want more speed and power for the mill. I have the mill counterweighted on the head and it moves 40ipm no trouble, but I had a problem the other day where the shaft of the 425oz nema 23 just broke off. It drives the load fine and it appeared to be a defect in the shaft where it occurred. There was a small bubble in the shaft about the size of a pinhead and that is where it split. But since that has happened, I decided it was time to go ahead with the nema 34 size motor and new drivers etc for the mill.


I know I am getting the C11 (c11g possibly) board from CNC4PC, depending on what items I get.

My concern is about the drivers. I want the machine to be 4 axis. I am trying to decide between kelinginc and gecko drivers. I can keep the existing 425oz motors on the mill and the rotary table. But I know the Z needs a stronger shaft now.

What would you do? Would there be any disadvantages to having the new drives and such on the 3 axis and then have the Xylotex run just the 4th axis? Would this cause timing issues or anything with the speed? It would come out a little cheaper.


For those that have existing X3s with these drivers, please post your results, system builds and speeds. Please tell me why you chose the driver you have?

Thanks, I plan on pushing the buy button this weekend.

[pzzamakr1980]

I use gecko 203's and love em. I had 201's and there is no comparison between the two. The 203's are much quieter, produce much less heat, and just seem to work better in general. The additional safety features are a huge plus. The z axis is driven with a 34 640. That works great and it rapids at 60 easy. The x and y will hit 80 with no problem. That is over the whole travel of the table. The conversion kit is the older cncfusion deluxe with single preloaded ballscews. I use a basic breakout board with a siig parallel card.

[cjdavis618]

What size power supply are you using with that set? That has been my biggest deciding factor.

The .425 nema 23 are a 5a/ Phase motor. I can't find the voltage specs on them though and only one reference on the web for that part number.

My research said that I needed a 3 amp load for each motor. So that shows 9 for the X,Y and A axis. Then Z would be 2.5 according to the spec sheet. So It looks like 12+ amps is needed for the system.

Interestingly enough, I have the 24v, 5 amp that Xylotex shipped and it is running the machine at 40ipm cut speed.

[pzzamakr1980]

Im using the big $149 860w/72v keling power supply. I didnt mess around. Also, after some screwing around, and a bit of oil. I can easily get 120 ipm out of the z. With the accel set to 1.5. I can get it to max out at 150 with 10,000 steps, but thats unnecessary. I run it at 60ipm for work and thats plenty fast enough.

[cjdavis618]

That is what I was looking at also. I was trying to decide if I should just get some of keling's drivers as well though. But I never hear anything bad about Gecko's and I have heard some documentation problems with Keling. Last thing I need is confusion. lol..

Thanks for the help.

[LeeWay]

I don't have the X3. My way are linear bearings, but the 495 oz motors from keling are 3/8" shaft for the nema 23's. I do run 203V's on it with the afore mentioned PS. It is a 72VDC supply, but I always read 68 on all three Gecko's. Plenty of juice. I am running these motors at 3 AMP. I get 125 IPM on the Z without much trouble, but it will skip a beat or two when I drill too hard. I have a belt drive for it and will install that. My balls screws are high helix type with a 10mm lead.

I think the Xylotex would drive the 4th axis fine. You just may need two parallel ports to do it or possibly two BB's. Xylotex was my first drive, so working from memory here.
I run the 201's on my lathe with 270 oz motors and a 48 VDC PS. Those motors do get warm, but I have them running a little higher amp than they were rated.
201's definately let the motors get warmer than 203's. 203's motors are just luke warm if that. That is both the 425's from Keling and the 495's. They run my router and my mill.

[cjdavis618]

pzzamaker1980, what resistor did you use for the Z axis? Looks like I am getting Gecko 203v for the system. There in no sense in stepping down to save a few bucks. Already did that with the xylotex kit.

[pzzamakr1980]

Im using the keling 640oz motor I think on the z. So whatever resistor the gecko's tell you to use. Im doing homework now otherwise I would check. I believe the motor is right around 4.5/5 amps. It is wired in parallel.

[cjdavis618]

No problem. I wasn't sure if my math was right and I came up with a 1.6M ohm resistor for that motor.

I just ordered everything to retrofit the system.

This ended up being my shopping list.

Keling:
72V/ 12 amp
Nema 34 640oz/in

CNC4PC:
C11g BOB
A4 Power supply for BOB

I found some Geckos on Ebay.
203v x3 (Saved a few bucks)

Then some of the components for the build of a new controller housing from Mouser. Switches, wire, etc, etc.