How hot is to hot is the question, or i guess an even better question is what is the typical operating temperature of steppers?

A quick google search reveals http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=35389

It is normal for steppers to get hot. Their operating temperatures are fairly high. Up to 70 degrees Celsius is absolutely normal. If you can't hold your hand on it for more than one second then it's about 65 degrees.

The G251 has a current reduction feature while motor is idle, but to enable it you must use a current limiting resistor, even if it is the top 3.5A of the drive.

Dan

I have the resistors in place thanks Dan, its my first time using steppers, my servo machine doesn't get hot at all.

I spent another day working on the control box, i have been resisting writing this post however as it is a blog if my opinion changes i will just post again.

The C32 Board from CNC4PC $186
http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?products_id=255
combined with Smooth Stepper $165
http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=185

Don't forget there was a lot of contemplation over this choice versus the Gecko G100 Grex (dont even bother looking for it on Geckos site it is a discontinued model only available to people who already own em).

G100:
Ethernet connection
full 6 axis control
16 digital inputs
4 analogue inputs
16 digital outputs
4 analogue outputs
Built in watch dog/charge pump
Price $399

Pros: Very clear layout, IP addressable
Cons: No longer supported, difficult to firmware flash (for most) 

C32
USB (via the SS board)
Full 4 axis control with partial 6 axis control
1 analogue output with scalable voltage control (spindle)
3 on board relays
16 inputs
10 outputs (plus an additional 8 used for axis control in 4 axis mode 2 per axis)
smart circut for Geckos
Pendant connection
Built in watch dog/charge pump
Thorough opto isolation
Price $351 (inc SS)

Pros: Simple on board RJ45 connectors, plug and play pendant,
Cons: Complex to wire for power but thorough, no analogue inputs

Would i buy one again......well thats the $25M question, I would have to say that if the G100 was still being developed there would be no question about it i would buy the Grex, however it is not.........the Jury is still out, ill let you know once i have wired all of the I/O's

Finally i can say that Arturo (CNC4PC) provides excellent email support and that for me is a good reason to continue to buy his other products.

Spent the day folding and welding my draws up, this sort of thing is really easy to get wrong, 2mm to wide and the draw wont fit, 2mm to small and it wont roll on the slides nicely, time will tell if I have it right.





I dont want to cut, fold and attach the fronts untill i know exactly what size to make them. Its Saturday tomorrow (here) my goal is to get all six draws on the rails and rolling ready to measure up the fronts.

Update:
Electronics, almost all done.
Motor mounts, not happy with them, am going to redo them.
Ball screws, have not turned up yet

I'm trying to think up a good name / model number or something for the machine as i'm going to get some blue pin stripes and logos cut from vinyl, any suggestions are welcome. i was thinking something like HMC-2000 (horizontal machining center) and the 2000 comes from the world famous ginsu knives that can cut through a lead pipe and a shoe!

I'm trying to think up a good name / model number or something for the machine

THING!

Cheers

how about AL54B 2011

You know ginsu's knives were crap, How about something with Vortex in it?

Progress, this is a cover just to hide the chip bin and Vector drive etc, shes a real tight fit:





The rest of the day was spent fitting the draws:



I love the way the sliders extend the draws way out:



I still have the top two to fit, i will have to order 2 more sliders though as i added one extra draw.