It's begun....

[JAZZCNC]

Funnily enough I have ordered another stepper (wanted a spare and could always use it for 4th axis assuming I can get the 3 running first), so I could cut the extension down and run 2 motors - would I need another driver or wire them both in parallel off of the same X axis driver? I also thought running 2 motors was a bit risky if one starts losing steps for some reason?

2 x motors will be your easiest route with how it's setup already.

Most common cause of missed steps is motors being tuned too high with folks trying to have both Acceleration and velocity too high.
If you keep tuning to sensible speeds then you generally won't have a problem, only other time you can run into issues is if your running very long jobs like large 3D work that can have cycle times well in excess of 20hrs. Because 3D work is usually lots of small fast moves and higher accelerations are often used then steps can get missed over time period.

Keep sensible motor tuning and you'll be fine with slaved motors but unfortunately you'll need another drive.

Run 2 x motors and with 68V you'll easily see 6mtr/min with good Acceleration without any issues provided everything is aligned properly.

[Washout]

Thanks as ever Dean,

I could probably do with another Driver in any case, so will add that to my order with Zapp - will have to see if the 806-5 transformer will be good for a 4th Driver or I'll have to get another of those as well (4th Axis would have needed it anyway I expect).

I did a bit of tinkering over the weekend and one of the x axis ballscrews was out of alignment, so have also rectified that whilst waiting for parts.

More as I work on it.....


Chris

[JAZZCNC]

I could probably do with another Driver in any case, so will add that to my order with Zapp - will have to see if the 806-5 transformer will be good for a 4th Driver or I'll have to get another of those as well (4th Axis would have needed it anyway I expect).

Erm . . well 6A is low for 4 drives and personally I would.!! . . . But worth trying first and will probably only cause you problems if pushing hard.

Being honest with you and Gary probably won't thank me for this.! . . Instead of buying another then I'd build one to suit your requirements exactly. It will be cheaper, take just the same room in control box has the one you have now. If you need the 5V then buy a cheap linear supply for £5.
If you then sell the existing 806-5 it will end up costing you next to nothing.!!

[Washout]

LOL would you believe it, just as I think "yep, I'll go with the dual motor setup on the X-Axis" Sod's law kicks in and the PM752's are not easily available (ebay from China only), but there are comparable digital drivers available and my guess is I'll have to switch out the Z Axis driver to be the 2nd X Axis and run the new driver in its place. That's assuming MACH3 has no problem with a mix of drivers (provided they are tuned to the same steps per rev etc.?)

[JAZZCNC]

That's assuming MACH3 has no problem with a mix of drivers (provided they are tuned to the same steps per rev etc.?)

Mach doesn't know or care what drives you use it just sends pulses to the drives based on your preferences in motor tuning.
You'll see a difference between digital and Analogue drives but it will be positive not negative and the smoother Digital drive will work good on Z axis anyway.!