I want to add a diy x-axis power feed to my RF 31 mill. It seems that a stepper motor would be ideal for the application, but I wonder if there is a magnetic detent feel when not powered that would make a disconnect clutch necessary when manually using an edge finder. Anyone have experience with this?
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Stepper motor power feed question
- Thread starter Garryloy
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2014
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- 11,144
A stepper will make a great power feed.....But, you are correct, it will cog when not powered. Worse than that, with it electrically connected to the drive it acts as a generator feeding power back to the drive and possibly damaging the drive, this also acts as a pretty good brake.
So as you suggest, the fix is to mechanically decouple the stepper when not in use.
So as you suggest, the fix is to mechanically decouple the stepper when not in use.
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 602
Hey, we are right next to each other! That's pretty cool, small world.
I had a stepper power feed on my X2 for a little while, and a stuck an electrical switch between the driver and the motor and left it attached mechanically. You absolutely could feel the motor clicks when working manually, but that didn't bother me much.
I had a stepper power feed on my X2 for a little while, and a stuck an electrical switch between the driver and the motor and left it attached mechanically. You absolutely could feel the motor clicks when working manually, but that didn't bother me much.