connectors for controller to steppers

[Mcgyver]

I'd like to have some sort of panel mounted connector on the back of my control enclosure that I could plug the stepper motor cables into. Being inexperienced in electronics, I'm not really sure what the best solutions are - can I get some ideas from you guys on what type of connector to seek out?

thanks

[mgamber]

Hybrid D-Sub. Often referred to a 4W4. You can get the pins up to 40A rated each.

[bill south]

Mike;
I plan on installing 4 each, female IAC connectors (4 axis) similar to those which use to be found on the back of computer power supplies. In the old days, we plugged the monitors into the back of the CPU. MPJA has them (panel mount) for a reasonable price and I also ordered the assoicated male plug cables which I'll splice into my servo motors. The panel mounts require a square hole but my nibbler will handle that!
BTW, what did you use to cut the 25 pin connector hole in the back panel???? I'm going to need 1 more and a connector for a game port to get my 5 volt supply from the computer!

billyjack

[pminmo]

Well,
Lots of options. Sub D's depending on current are good inexpensive connectors, available and can be solder, crimp or IDC types. You can go up in pin count to and double up on pins to increase current requirements. Downside of sub d is for panel mount cutount is more complex to get a good looking fit. Molex connectors are relatively inexpensive and available and support muliple forms and pin count. I use Molex, but I'm not in love with them.

[Chris D]

Just a word of caution...

A connector is also another source of problems (bad connection - coming loose etc.). While they do look cool, if you can avoid it, try to do so, it's one less area for problems and it will also save you some money too.

Chris

[BobWarfield]

Neutric Speakon connectors. These are pro-quality 4-pin connectors used for concert sound equipment and so on. They lock in place apropos of the issue that "it's one more thing to go wrong." They're available cheaply on eBay with cables already made up as well as the panel mount connectors.

Check item #7385949365 for the panel mounts and #7385912982 for the cables (you don't need 8, but it was handy!). You can get 14 or 16 gauge conductors which should be plenty of current carrying capacity.

Best,

BW

[unterhaus]

I use neutrik powercon for the power connection on my brushless servomotors, which are just like those speakon connectors. They are very nice, the connection is positive, and it's difficult to disconnect them if you don't know what you are doing. Very nice link on ebay, thanks.

[NC Cams]

If you want ABSOLUTELY TROUBLE FREE connectors, use MIL type.

These are price as they are designed for aircraft and military use BUT they screw together, self seal and simply WORK. There are numerous configurations and Mouser and/or Digikey sells them. Neither catalog is easy to read so do your initial searching at D or M and then go to the OEM's website for clarification.

Sub d's are fine for comuters which tend to be in a "clean" environment. However, CNC equipment is subject to vibration, coolant intrusion and goodness knows what else. We learned this lesson the hard way in the auto environment,

Another cheaper albeit less costly connector is Delco Packard "Weather Pak". These are designed for the wet, hot, cruddy auto environment and are, again, more robust than computer and/or speaker connectors.

YES you CAN use computer and/or speaker connnectors. We did and moved on after we started having continuity and coolant degradation problems over the long term.

BTW, all my CNC lathes and mills came with MIL connectors from the OEM and some date back to 1979 - even at this date, these still worked FINE. HOever, the computer connectors that were patched in later by SOMEONE were the source of many and sporadic problems after a recent move. Hard wired the connectors to terminal strips and or the connectors mentioned above and problems solved.

The choice is yours and yes, you can get away with something less. But for how long? (enter many anticipated rebuttals to the contrary HERE>