3 Axis CNC router

[Clive S]

My drives have arrived and I have wired up the power supply to them (see photo) any reason why I shouldn't power them up with nothing else connected ??

If it makes you happy Joe

[JoeHarris]

If it makes you happy Joe

Ha! Can't afford the controller yet so it will have to!

[JoeHarris]

Hi everyone, I have uploaded the next episode of my build, not that exciting this time just making holes in gland plates! I'm working on the ali angle that supports the cable chain next...

[JoeHarris]

Woohoo! Thanks Gary! My IP-M has arrived.

[Neale]

They look good, don't they! But just wait until you start wiring the bottom row of terminals right next to the cable guides. I was really glad at that point to have used crimp-on ferrules as they gave you something to get hold of with tweezers while guiding wires into place, and without the risk of odd stray shorting strands. Using differential wiring to the stepper drivers?

Out of interest, how will you run the ethernet cable out of the box? I ended up using a bulkhead ethernet connector which effectively sits inside an XLR connector shell. Standard RJ45 inside but protection and latching of XLR. Means that I can disconnect all cables from cabinet very easily without trailing wires, but everyone has their own way of doing things.

[JoeHarris]

Yes I have ferrules and they are great as you say.

I was planning on using cy cable for the connections with one side of the shield connected to the star earth.

Is this the kind of rj45 connector you mean https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152664475439


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Neale]

I used something more like this although I can't remember now where I bought it. This is the panel-mounting socket, and you can get a matching XLR plug shell that takes a standard RJ45 cable and connector. Beware - some of these go on the cable before the RJ45 connector is fitted and some can go on to existing ready-made cables. My steppers plug into the box via 4-pin XLR connectors so these match.

In my control box, I used UTP cable between IP-M and stepper drivers to get the benefit of twisted pair cabling with differential signalling. UTP gives you 4 pairs, so I used one cable for two stepper drivers. The twisted pair is possibly more effective than CY screening for noise rejection, along with the IP-M's capability of differential output. Well, it works for me, but on this forum you only have to wait a few more minutes for an expert to come along!

[Clive S]

Well, it works for me, but on this forum you only have to wait a few more minutes for an expert to come along!

I just could not resist But I am not that one. I use a very similar bulkhead fitting like yours and also 4 pin XLR's for the steppers. Although is is easier to wire the steppers direct to the drives.

Edit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/17212...6243387&crdt=0

[Neale]

Although is is easier to wire the steppers direct to the drives.

Certainly true! My first version did exactly that. I then found that I was going to need to take the cabinet out of the machine several times during testing and development, and I ended up changing to XLR just for ease of use. I had the connectors from my previous machine anyway. My cabinet has only one cable going out through a gland and that's the mains cable, so it can completely detach from the machine itself if needed. Of course, the experts get it right first time so never need to disconnect anything thereafter!

[JoeHarris]

Another little part made...