Driving two step motors off one drive

[Davidh]

Driving two step motors off one drive,

It is time to build a bigger router. My first is a converted milling table and the second will be a gantry type. I would like to use a leadscrew at each end of the gantry, each screw with its own direct drive motor. So the x axis will now have two motors running in a syncronous fashion.

So, can I parallel the two motors together?

Lets hope so, I would like to be able to use the same 'black box' for both machines, with a couple of multipin connectors so I just plug the big one or the small one in and cut.


Another question, can you run a driver with no motor connected?


Thanks David

[jeffs555]

With two identical motors, you could probably parallel them off the same drive. The drive of course would have to handle twice the current.

Most drives can be safely run with no motor connected. However, never connect or disconnect a motor when the drive is powered on. That is a easy way to destroy the drive.

[Davidh]

Thank you jeff.

So what I am planning will work but is not the best solution. Better to use another driver for that extra motor.