I have a machine that has two motors for the x axis could anyone explain how I setup Mach3 to run this machine please, am I right in thinking slave one of the 2 motors?
Phill
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I have a machine that has two motors for the x axis could anyone explain how I setup Mach3 to run this machine please, am I right in thinking slave one of the 2 motors?
Phill
Yes that's right. Set one of the motor pins as X, and the other as one you wont use, say C. Then in Mach3 go to 'Config', 'Slave Axis' and click the option to slave C to X, and leave the other axes on 'none'. Then restart mach and it should just work.
That's one way - you can also connect 2 stepper drives to the same mach3 output or if the drive is powerful enough even 2 motors to the same drive.
Don't do that both are bad idea.!! If 3 axis then you have spare outputs so use them, it will far more reliable and accurate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Christian Knuell
Hi,
I did both for many years and still do so without any problem. Why should there be any issue with reliability or accuracy (as long as the drive is not overloaded)?
Its a convenient way to save cost (2 motors @ 1 drive) and / or output pins.
There is only one - theoretical - drawback: you can't reference both axis independently. "Theoretical" because if you have a double X axis configuration you need to be sure they stay in sync - if not you're in trouble anyway no matter how the motors are connected.
I wouldn't put two motors on one driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by Christian Knuell
I don't see that using the c axis and the x axis would be more reliable or accurate than using the port output to supply two drives. Have you experienced problems doing this.?Quote:
Originally Posted by JAZZCNC
I used the method of splitting the signal from one port to two drive in mach until i swapped over to USBCNC and even then did the same there, works like a charm no issues as far as I'm concerned. But the 2 motors one drive is not a good idea.
Yes it's down to timings in the drives with one drive seeing the signal before the other and accumulative errors creep in, The higher the micro stepping and harder the PP is working the worse it can be. The PP needs to be very good with strong signal and still it can happen depending on drive quality,opto speeds etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by i2i
If your working at low feed rates then it can work and indeed the RepRap boys often use this method but they are only using low feed rates with no stress on PP. But any decent CNC machine that wants reasonable feed rates and uses MS to help with smoothing motors will potentially fall foul of using this method.!!
While this can and does happen with Each drive having it's own signal it's far far less likely to happen even at high micro stepping if the PP is only even half decent as it's not sharing and virtually Nil chance with good PP.
The other problem with this and twin motors on one axis is you can't control one motor individually for homing and squaring the Gantry etc so has the dropped steps start accumulating eventually racking the gantry there's nothing you can do about it other than Manually loosen the couplers and reset square.:thumbdown:
With 2x motors sharing one drive there's problems from features like Mid band resonance or other correction features. The drive doesn't know which motor to apply the compensation too so only one drive gets it this then throws the other into resonance and it can stall. Which drive gets current reduction etc all bad news and not worth the trouble IMO.
So all in all it's a shite idea and not required really has most BOB's are 5 axis and the software allows for slaving motors. The PP provides enough output signals so why take the risk of accumulative errors creeping in to what should be an accurate system.!!
Think about this.?? . . . .If 2 drives where ok to be run from one signal don't you think the likes of Lead shine and other drive manufactures would have produced a two drives in one package for those that needed them.!!
I can assure you this works perfectly (as long as the motors are of the same type).Quote:
Originally Posted by AdCNC
- You can connect them in parallel: current needs to be doubled and motor performance will stay the same (I use it this way on one machine).
- You can even connect them in series: Quite interesting as current stays the same - so you can e.g. connect two 5A montors to one 5A drive and holding torque and performance at low speeds will still be the same. Only drawback: torque at higher speeds will drop fast and you won't achieve full speed.
Why on earth would they produce that when they could just sell 2 drives.Quote:
Originally Posted by JAZZCNC
Why does Gecko sell 4 in 1 when they could sell and do sell them separate.? . . . To give people what they want and create another market. . . No doubt they would also charge a premium.!!Quote:
Originally Posted by i2i
I'll put it another way then do or have you ever seen ANY manufacturer recommending using 1 output for multiple drives because they have nothing to lose in doing so.? . . . I haven't.!!
again no, as they would rather sell you two, i've already answered that for you.
No you haven't answered it.?? . . .They have already sold you 2 drives or more but they don't recommend or show any examples using multiple drives on 1 output do they.? . . .Or don't they do that to sell you more outputs.?Quote:
Originally Posted by i2i
Jazz, are you asking questions or making statements.?
Does it really matter and who gives a toss anyway.!!:thumsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by i2i
agreed.:friendly_wink:
The machine has the four drivers (leadshine) and only three sets of connections XYZ used on the board, my next question would be if I plugged Mach3 cable into it should I be able to control the steppers without changing board or drivers.
Attachment 8146Attachment 8147
You have 4 axis so use the C axis for the slaved drive. Honestly wouldn't use 1 output for 2 drives if you have a spare output which you do.!!
Yes this is common setup and you can control all drives/motors, just need mach setting up correctly and it will be fine.