New Machine Build- Twin Motors?

[m1ck]

Hi all,
The machine that I have decided to build uses 4 stepper motors, 2 to drive the x-axis and 1 each for the other 2.
Can anyone tell me how I should connect the 2 that drive the x-axis? I will be using a Rockcliff 4-axis stepper motor driver which has a built in printer connector.

Thanks.

Mick.

[Mariss Freimanis]

Mike,

Use one drive per motor. For two motors driving the same mechanical axis, send STEP and DIRECTION to both drives from the same CNC controller axis.

Mariss

[keebler303]

In mach3, and maybe others, you can slave axes together. So you would have 1 motor for x, 1 for y, 1 for z, and 1 for a. Then you would slave the a axis to the x axis in software. Then they will both move in harmony. I think this is better than pigtailing the step and direction wires (which I think is what Mariss is describing) because you can reverse the logic for the direction command so each motor turns in the opposite way, which will make your x axis move. You can also do this by switching the motor leads around but this is easier once everything is all hooked up.

Matt

Matt