The package includes everything needed, except the case and transformer. Luckily, the transformer from the UPS was suitable (not ideal, as the final DC supply to the driver board is ~ 22V. Ideally, it would have been about 35V or so, but the board will work down to 12V ). I don't know the exact specs of the transformer, but from the UPS spec (600VA output) and judging by the thickness of the low-voltage leads, I think it should be good for at least 10A of current. I'll be monitoring the DC voltage for droop once the CNC is up and running.
I got the largest steppers that HobbyCNC sell in the package - they are a lot heavier than I expected. I think there will be more than enough torque for most applications. Here's the first run, driven by Mach3 (took a while to get it configured to use the right parallel port address. Laptop was confusing it apparently)...
Having got the steppers running, I had to work out how to connect them to the threaded rod. I had expected to turn down (in a lathe) the end of the threaded rod to 1/4 inch ( the same size as the stepper shaft ) and then use a 1/4 inch shaft coupler. My mate Gordon (who has the lathe) came up with these instead...
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Stepper - lead screw couplers. Thanks, Gordon! |
Next post...should be the CNC machine assembled. I hope.
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