Hot Stepper motors

[hodge98ws6]

Just got my X3 a few days ago, and I can't help but notice the stepper motors run real hot-like can't touch them at all. Is this totally normal?? I was thinking of some small CPU fans to help cool them, or would I be wasting my time.

Great machine btw!

[chazmtu]

Hello,

In general stepper motors can run a predefined level above the ambient temperature. This can easily get hot enough to burn you. The best way to be certain is to check a data sheet or contact the manufacturer, measure your motor temp and compare. I used a meat thermometer to measure mine though it was probably somewhat hotter. Also it might be a god Idea to run your motors at less than their rated amperage(80%?). You should see a marked drop in temperature with only a little drop in performance. Better safe than Motorless.

Chuck

[hodge98ws6]

Thanks for the tip. I will measure the temps and see where they are at. You say to run them @ 80%, by this do you mean a setting in Mach 3 or ????

[chazmtu]

I use hobby CNC driver hardware and thats where I set the motor current with a small potentiometer. I don't own a X3 though so I cant be much help. I run a homemade setup. The current control is definitely a hardware setting somewhere.

[hodge98ws6]

Something I will look into, thanks again. First priority is my coolant system!

[chazmtu]

Glad to help. Good luck

[rogerx3]

Originally Posted by hodge98ws6 Thanks for the tip. I will measure the temps and see where they are at. You say to run them @ 80%, by this do you mean a setting in Mach 3 or ????

no not a mach3 setting, by adjusting your amperage on the stepper driver at holding tourque, using a multi meter in series.

[jdinh]

You can also enable "auto 1/2 current" (s1).

I like to keep my electronics cool.
For the X & Y axis I mounted a P4 heatsink onto the stepper.
The entire power supply, stepper box have also been relocated into a server HD storage tower. It's great. 3 mini fans cooling each stepper controller and plenty of space for the power supply and I/F board.

[hodge98ws6]

Originally Posted by jdinh You can also enable "auto 1/2 current" (s1). I like to keep my electronics cool. For the X & Y axis I mounted a P4 heatsink onto the stepper. The entire power supply, stepper box have also been relocated into a server HD storage tower. It's great. 3 mini fans cooling each stepper controller and plenty of space for the power supply and I/F board.

What exactly is a P4 heatsink??

I was thinking of wrapping the motors with 1/4 copper tube and making a liquid cooling system with a pump. Is this a ridiculous idea?

[rogerx3]

Originally Posted by hodge98ws6 Just got my X3 a few days ago, and I can't help but notice the stepper motors run real hot-like can't touch them at all. Is this totally normal?? I was thinking of some small CPU fans to help cool them, or would I be wasting my time. Great machine btw!

Before any thing else check the running amperage of your stepper motors, and adjust them via your stepper drivers. Only then consider additional cooling methods, after all its not like you're overclocking a CPU.

[hodge98ws6]

Is there a link to a "how-to" page for doing this. I think I can handle it if I had something to go by.

And I see what you meant by P4 heatsink now, thanks good tip.

[rogerx3]

hi hodge98ws6
this link should help with your stepper motor adjustment
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpo...23&postcount=7
it did with mine.