Mini Mill Conversion - best stepper drive choice

**Clive S** · 29-03-2017

Plus one on the AM882 route I use them on my mill, lathe and router all on 68V

**m_c** · 30-03-2017

Ultimately it depends on how much performance you're hoping for.

Higher voltage will let you run faster, which on a ballscrew equipped mill of X2 size, probably wouldn't give you much performance gain, as the steppers wouldn't get up to high speed that often.

However, as you'll be using trapezoidal screws, which will have a smaller pitch, and be less efficient, you'll want to maximise torque, and most likely run at higher motor speeds. Which means higher voltage drives could be quite beneficial, but can you justify the extra cost?

**GND** · 30-03-2017

Mmm, as ever there is no right answer I guess! What I'm hearing is that AM882's will undoubtedly do the job on both mills, but is it worth the outlay. On the ballscrew mill, they probably wouldn't be used to their potential, and for the trapezoidal mill they may just be overkill for a "cheap" implementation - albeit their abilities may be useful.

So, what would be the next step down, voltage and drive wise? Given that as a data point will allow me to price it up and decide if the saving is worth it?