Controlling 6 stepper motors and 2 spindles on a budget

[freddi]

Pokeys 57Cnc will do everything you need. Comes with 8 axis and 4 Analog 0-10V for controlling Spindle speed. Got lots of I/O that can be programmed to work in pretty much any way you need.

USB and Ethernet connection.

https://www.poscope.com/product/pokeys57cnc/

To help with G-code will need more information to what your trying to achieve exactly. If you don't want to post this publicly then feel free to contact me via PM and anything told to me will stay strictly between us.

Thank you for your response. very useful, I have had a look at the pokeys57 cnc, it looks very impressive as it will be able to do the 6 axis movement that we need for our machine. I think though that the arduino mega might be able to do a better job in terms of cost though and I have experience with arduino so would be easier for us as a group to integrate it.
I need to perform FSW and ISF double sided.
So for FSW, the tool will go down towards the work piece then across as it is welding. ISF tool will go towards workpiece on both sides then machine a truncated cone similar to the ones in the julian allwood papers, I hope that helps explain my g code issue

[JAZZCNC]

T
I need to perform FSW and ISF double sided.
So for FSW, the tool will go down towards the work piece then across as it is welding. ISF tool will go towards workpiece on both sides then machine a truncated cone similar to the ones in the julian allwood papers, I hope that helps explain my g code issue

Ok know I get it.!! Very Ambitious with no CNC experience. . . . Hope you have built it strong.?

To be honest I think your going to struggle on few fronts. Budget Firstly but also on Spec and what your trying to achieve from the motors/drives.

You'll never run nema 34 motor with Arduino drive and get any usable speed/torque from them, if can do it at all.? Nema 34 motors require much higher current than most Arduino drives will probably offer but more importantly you'll need high voltage to have any speed and Torque. Again very much doubt Arduino drive will allow much above 50Vdc.
To get 1000Rpm with any torque left from nema34 will require much more than 50Vdc. Much after 900rpm Torque starts dropping quickly with larger motors. So if you want high speeds and torque you need high voltage. Often this means using Mains voltage drives which are expensive.

Similair story with the Nema23 motor and Gearbox. If ratio is anything above 2:1 then you'll never get 1000rpm on the output shaft from stepper motor. Most Nema 23 motors even when run with good amount of volts (60-70V) will struggle to reach 2000rpm and have any usable torque left.
Again to get good speed and Torque you'll need more volts than Arduno drives will allow I think.? . . . . . I'm not into Arduino's but this is industrial strength stuff your getting into and IMO Arduino's are not going to cut it.!

Be careful because your Budget will be gone in blink of eye.!!! . . . . It's most Common mistake in CNC trying to cut corners by doing it on the cheap with toy setup's only to realise after all the money is spent that got it wrong.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Better use your chance, call Dean and dont do it the American way.

[freddi]

Thanks guys.

We have chosen the nema 34 motors and they have suitable drivers and power supplies for them in order for them to be safe and suitable. We are still questioning whether to use arduino uno, arduino mega or uno with the stacking of cnc shields.

There are 6 steppers. We want the motors in the z axis to run independently from the motors in x,y axis. We are planning on using Mach3 to do this as we are aware of this software has the ability to perform 6 axis cnc programmes.

The question now is as I have mentioned before we are on a budget, is it best to run the spindles and steppers with an arduino mega or an uno with the stacking of 3 axis cnc shields? Or are there any other micro controllers that you guys are aware of that might be cheaper or more suitable for purpose

Thank you