Random stepper questions

[ehiebert]

Hey Chuck and Balsaman,

I'm pretty happy with this thread. I just pulled 2 of the 23LM 100 oz. in. astrosyn and 2 of the Japan Servo 85 oz. in motors from 4 laser printers. The 23LM Astrosyn come from HP Laserjet II series, and the Japan Servo motors from DEC 2100 printers.

A note for others... Laserjet IIp and Laserjet IIIp aren't worth the effort. The motors in them are a Canon PM60-H418Z21B motor which I can't find any information on. Its a uni-polar stepper (6 wires) but the body is a non-standard size. Judging from the lead size I'd say these are very weak motors too. The winding leads are 22-24 ga. wire.... so they won't take over 1/2 A of current. I did find that these were only 48 steps/revolution too.... ie 7.5° step angle.

Thanks for the help finding cheap motors!!! Oh yes.... my cost was $20 for 7 printers. I got the four good motors and three crummy ones.

I'm planning on building an aluminum frame 4 axis mill similar to what Balsaman has done. I will build my own driver boards and use ACME rod for a drive.

I have the benefit in that I own a 9x20 lathe... so I can turn some stuff as needed. I also intend to use 1/2" drill rod and acetal or bronze bushings for linear rails. I know it won't come out as inexpensive as Chuck's, but I need it rigid enough to mill aluminum.

Later!!!
Eldon.

[ger21]

Judging from the lead size I'd say these are very weak motors too. The winding leads are 22-24 ga. wire.... so they won't take over 1/2 A of current

I don't think this should be you're determining factor. My 250oz PacSci motors are rated 4.6a parallel and the connectors take 22awg wire. They recommend the 22awg be no more than 12", though.

Gerry

[chuckknigh]

Inexpensive? Geez, I paid good money for my printers!

In fact, I just picked up another one, an HP LaserJet II, for 40 cents! I consider that EXPENSIVE for tech *that* antiquated. But, I needed another motor for my X-Y vise project.

:-)

-- Chuck Knight

[Snipes44]

Been ready about you guys getting all these old printers, I was wondering where are you getting them from.

I just lucked out on ebay and got 2 identical nema23 2.4v 2.5A 1.8deg fro $5.50 each :-). They were taken our of an old printer.

They deals you guys are find are are way better. I have not been able to find a place for cheap surplus printers.

-Wes

[ehiebert]

I just called around to some computer stores that advertised repair services. Copier repair outlets are also a good source for the printer motors as they usually fix printers too.

Eldon.

[Mr.Chips]

How about the IBM laser printers, what kind of steppers do they use? Sorry don't have a model no. There about 8" high and weigh a ton.
Does anyone know?

[ehiebert]

Big old heavy printers are a pretty good sign that you'll get some good stuff from them. IBM actually has much of their stuff contract manufactured. So my bet is that those would be HP printers.

If you get a model number I can find out what type of motors are in them.

Eldon.

[chuckknigh]

They deals you guys are find are are way better. I have not been able to find a place for cheap surplus printers.

I usually hit the local thrift stores. I have 2 particular ones that almost always turn up a LOT of tech surplus, and then there's the Goodwill As-Is store, where all the north Texas "as-is stuff" ends up. If it doesn't work, or if they don't know how to test it, it goes to this big warehouse in Sherman...they have a store, affectionately nicknamed "GoodWill As-Is."

Makes it easy to find this kind of stuff. Unfortunately, their tech has gone up in price, lately, since the arrival of their tech geek. :-( Of course, I still paid a whopping $3 for my last fax machine!

One tip for you. Since I frequent these stores, I know what equipment has been lying around for a while. Then I offer then pennies on the dollar for it -- they ordinarily trash it after 2-3 months, so, from their point of view, getting 50 cents is still better than getting nothing for it. You just have to make the deal with the manager...the clerks don't have the authority to change the prices.

-- Chuck Knight

[Carver]

Hi Chuck,

Since you are located so close to Dallas, I didn't know if you were aware of the Texas Instruments surplus auction that takes place every Friday Morning. It is on Northhaven in Dallas. They dispose of all types of manufacturing equipment for salvage only. It is a sealed bid auction and opens at 6:30 am They read the bids at 9:00 am. Lots af motion control, it just might be still attached to a 3000lb camera. They regularly dispose of functional robots by their scrap weight. Shout at me offline if you want more details.

Take care,
Phill Pittman
digicarve@verizon.net
www.masterwerkes.com

[xairflyer]

Came across this site which has circuits for both bipolar and unipolar drives

http://zeus.eed.usv.ro/misc/mirrors/cc/index2.htm