Messages

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Minimum Feed rate in Mach3?

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:57:34 AM »

Hello,

i have a micro stage with each axis run by a NEMA 08 stepper motor.
I currently use the Pololu boards with a CNC4PC breakout board to control the movement through Mach3.
For the application that i use, i would need the axis to move at a very low feed rate; something like 5microns per second or 0.3 mm/min and lower.
I had some problems with my experiments and i was wondering if the axes were moving faster than they say they are moving?
It is very important that the axes move at a speed lesser or equal to 0.3 mm/min.
Currently i was giving the feed and the axis movement in the MDI screen itself.
It moves very slowly but i am not sure what the capability of the software is?
Please let me know if it can be run at very low feed rates.

http://www.zaber.com/products/product_group.php?group=LSA&tab=Series%20Specs#tabs

2

General Mach Discussion / Gecko G540 and mach 3

« on: April 01, 2013, 05:54:52 PM »

Hello

I use a G540 drive to control XYZ precision stages. I have a variable power supply ranging from 0-60V and 0-3 A.
I used to set the voltage at around 20V and current used to automatically get set at 0.2A.
With this configuration i was able to use mach 3 and get good control over all the three axes.

But recently when i tried to control an axis, the power supply started to vary by itself with the voltage dropping and current increasing.
The voltage drops to around 11 V and current increases to around 1.2A. The stepper motor starts to whir intermittently and there is no movement of the axis.
I tried with another variable power supply and i had the same thing happening.

I am not sure what the problem is since i got the same thing with two different power supplies and all axes individually.
Does it have to do with the circuit? I checked for any short circuits and everything seems to be fine.
Can it be the cables? Do i need to re solder the power cable?
Any suggestions or ideas is greatly appreciated.

Thanks 

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: February 06, 2013, 04:49:31 PM »

Thank You. 

I did that and they replied saying that "Nema 17 is the minimum practical size motor to be used"
I guess that means i may have a problem with my Nema 8 stage.

Are there any controllers out there which support Nema 8 stepper motors?

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: February 06, 2013, 03:24:20 PM »

I finalized on the DC power supply part of it. 
But i had another question - 
Will the Gecko drive work without any problem with Nema 8 stepper motors?

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: February 05, 2013, 12:12:02 PM »

I was thinking of ordering the Gecko 4 axis drive - http://www.geckodrive.com/geckodrive-step-motor-drives/g540.html
Is there a DC power supply that you can recommend that will be suitable for this drive?

Thanks
Varun

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: January 10, 2013, 09:07:52 PM »

Thanks again Hood. 

Is it normal to make the motor turning noise when you are actually using the axes?
In the copley drive that i have, the stepper motors make no or very little noise even when the axes are working.
But i move the drive at micrometer resolution then so will that be the reason for no or low noise?

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: January 10, 2013, 03:08:19 PM »

Thanks a lot for all the help. 
I finally set up the drives and the controller with mach3.
I have good motion in all the three axes but the problem is the stepper motors make a high pitch whining noise when they are switched on.
I used the auto set steps per unit to calibrate the axes.
I tried different acceleration and velocity settings but the sound persists.

Is it because of the power supply that i am getting this noise since the power supply has a high voltage than what is required.
Is there anything that i am missing out?

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: January 09, 2013, 01:12:06 PM »

Thanks a lot for all the help.

I am finally just about ready to connect the hardware and test it with mach3.
I have an externally controlled high speed spindle which will not be controlled by mach3.
The only parts that i am trying to control are the X,Y and Z axis in the stage.
Are there any suggestions on how to do this?
I am reading on the documentation for mach 3 and they mention how to test each axis.
Is it fine to follow the instructions on the manual and test the axis or is there another way that can be done?

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: January 06, 2013, 07:42:18 PM »

This may be off topic but please bear with me. I tried contacting the supplier of the power system but they are not responding.

I currently use a ISP200 - 4 power supply to run a XYZ system with stepper motors. The copley controls stepper motor driver ST3-3 axis is powered by the ISP200.
The specification for the power supply is here - servosystems.com/ims_suppl_isp200.pdf
Will this power supply work with the new controller?
The new controller - www.ebay.com/itm/270549461424?ssPageName...id=p3984.m1423.l2649

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 with Copley controls-Stepnet ST3-055-04?

« on: January 02, 2013, 02:48:08 PM »

I got hold off a manual online which looks like they have the currect pinouts for the board. I will give it a try with that.
Also what will be the voltage and current selection for Nema 8 stepper motors?
I heard that the Nema 17 take 12 - 16V D. I am not sure about the Nema 8.