supposing i was gonna' try to make a cnc machine with stepper motors would the circuitry be easy to make? thanks

 

Kinda depends on your experience and resources.

 

Probably not. Stepper motors have generally poor speed torque characteristics and are subject to electrical and mechanical resonances. They can require large standby current to hold their position. The biggest problem is that they are normally controlled open loop. Real CNC machines use DC electric servo motors with a supply of 300 VDC or larger and are controlled closed loop.

Still, if your burning to try then knock yourself out.

 

The fact that you are asking for suggestions would indicate that you might benefit from experimenting with stepper motor design on a small scale as a means of familiarizing yourself with the different types of stepper motors and driver circuits. This will allow you to experience firsthand some of the characteristics of stepper motors and thereby be in a better position to judge their suitablity for use in implementing cnc machines.

hgmjr

 

It depends on the type of the machine. Did everyone just assume a mill?

Steppers are impractical, when you need to apply force and torque. Steppers are practical, when something needs to be postioned without a lot of force and acceleration. So, steppers would work for a laser cutter or CNC drill-press.

 

An engraving table with a diamond drag tool or a single flute cutter was my thought.

 

i make rc planes and wondered if i could make a machine that cut out the parts acurately, really want is a two axis machine that i could attach tools to to draw, cut vinyl, cut wood etc, thanks

 

i make rc planes

Speaking of RC airplanes, once I've used a CNC hot-wire foam cutter made with stepper motors.

 

cool! i wish i had one of them!

 

ive been thinking about getting an old printer and instead of the ink pump i have a little tool that goes down and drills a hole, it may be good for a start.

 

Speaking of RC airplanes, once I've used a CNC hot-wire foam cutter made with stepper motors.

can i have it?

 

Links to part one and part two are in the first paragraph:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/11/how-to-build-your-own-cnc-machine-part-3/

 

can i have it?

That was one of a kind machine put together in early 1990s by graduate students of Stanfors Aero&Asto department. I'll post the pictures, if I get a chance to take them.

BTW, here's a link to somebody's home-built cutter: http://www.8linx.com/cnc/day1.htm
and this page has some nuce CAD drawings of foam cutters http://www.tekoa.com

 

Links to part one and part two are in the first paragraph:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/11/how-to-build-your-own-cnc-machine-part-3/

oh my god that page is amazing! ill make one of them thanks for everyone who has helped me, anyone know where i can get good stepper controllers and stepper motors in the uk?

 

So much misinformation about steppers. Used correctly they are capable of significant torque. While I agree a closed loop servo is a better high-end solution, in many cases a stepper works as well... almost all CNC'd mills and lathes in the serious hobby and/or light industrial class of machines use steppers because they are a cost-effective and practical solution.

For them to maintain their position, a lot of standby current may be needed.

Somewhat true for a belt drive, not so for a non-back-drivable leadscrew. The table and quill drives on my mill and the carriage and cross-slide drives on both my lathes are all NEMA23 or NEMA42 steppers

anyone know where i can get good stepper controllers and stepper motors in the uk?

https://www.motioncontrolproducts.co.uk/
https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/
https://automotioncomponents.co.uk
https://www.robotshop.com/uk/

 

An old thread revived!
Steppers are not traditionally used for Industrial applications, but many CNC DIY'ers use them successfully, see the CNCzone forum for examples.

 

Hmmm, wasn't my intention to revive it... was on the new messages list.... oh i see, was a new member now deleted