Router / Cutter

[justCNCit]

Man, I don't know anymore. Invested all this time and cash into running 10 TPI screws with the Xylotex setup.

Kinda worked fine, of course my machine is very roughly setup and the bearings rub when it moves. That is, the thrust bearings primarily when the screws turn tend to rub, but the rails themselves are in such rough shape that sometimes when running at peak (30 IPM) we hit a spot on the rail and the motors just lose the step.

Realizing also that at 10 TPI there is alot of torque going to waste and theoretically hitting the correct torque curve these motors should be able to push the router reasonably enough through material.

Lacking input from more people running wood routers, I am leaning in Ger's direction and thinking of changing the screws.

I hate relying on math, because without engineering background there are many variables that could go wrong.

I built this machine the first time knowing some things were probably wrong in order to establish what needed fixing for the second time to make it work properly.

[dertsap]

don t let yourself get concerned , it looks like you more or less have all the right stuff , its probably just a matter of tweaking here and there and you should be rocking , if you look at joe's build for an example , i believe he used the hobbycnc board and 280oz motors with 1/2"-10 tpi and he's getting some good speed out of it ,correct me if i'm wrong but i think he's getting 200 ipm

[ger21]

Originally Posted by dertsap , if you look at joe's build for an example , i believe he used the hobbycnc board and 280oz motors with 1/2"-10 tpi and he's getting some good speed out of it ,correct me if i'm wrong but i think he's getting 200 ipm

That's using 1/2-8 2 start I think. Most people building his 2006 machine switched from 1/2-10 to 1/2-8 2 start and doubled or tripled their top speeds.

With his new 4x4 machines, most are using 1/2-10 5 start and are getting close to 300ipm, but you may need Geckos to get that speed.

The Xylotex is known to suffer from resonance issues. If you want to keep using it, even with new screws, you need to make some dampers to get rid of the resonance. You'll need double shaft steppers though.

[justCNCit]

Seems to me avoiding dumb vibration dampers & change to Gecko wouldn't only solve the resonance issue but bump up motor efficiency somehow.

[ger21]

Yes, going with Gecko's would be the preferred route to take.

[justCNCit]

I was looking at Gecko drives, they are rated for 7 amps, and are $110 each, so that's about $440 + brokerage for new drives. Plus I'd have to learn how to configure them down to 2.5 amps?

But I guess the voltage is also controllable? where can I find the info I need to put this setup together. The screws aren't that big a deal I know where to get them. But the drives are alot more money for me and I am unsure how to proceed.

All I know is the project is stalled till this issue is fixed.

[ger21]

In the next few weeks, for a limited time, Gecko will be offering 3.5amp 50V drives for $29. The regular price will be $61 after a two week period. I think those would be a better choice. Look for the "Cheap Drives" thread for more info.

[dertsap]

Originally Posted by justCNCit I was looking at Gecko drives, they are rated for 7 amps, and are $110 each, so that's about $440 + brokerage for new drives. .

i didn t pay any broker fees , they sent them thru the mail , got them pretty quickly as well
you can t go wrong with them drivers , i used a stepperworld board before buying the geckos , the difference made me sick , i was happy with the fet3 until i found out how bad off it really was in compare to some better quality drivers
plus the freedom to add larger motors at any given time is priceless

[calgrdnr]

Here is some info on the 1/2-10 5 start I put them on my Joe's 2006 with hobbycnc controller and 200 oz motors

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=171

I am real happy . I ended up putting it on all three axis . My Z axis would lose step every once in a while of course it was when doing a 4 hour litho I hope this takes care of the problem . Over all the motors all sound much better , almost like they are taking it easy amd the machine is real smooth 320 rapids

I will be picking up some of those geckos Ger is talking about Hope I see them when they are on sale . thanks for the info Ger

[justCNCit]

I should've come here to begin with, wouldn't have bought the Xylotex drives if I'd have known this.

So this setup will end up being 10 TPI 5 start screws with 400 oz in motors. I am not entirely sold on the Geckos yet but we'll see.

I guess my main worry has now become, will this setup be able to push a 1/2 or 3/4" cutter through wood fast enough and with enough power to make it. Assuming the router can handle it which it can.

[justCNCit]

I am about to order from DumpsterCNC and ENCO the 1/2-10 5 start screws, nuts, and couplers.