Closed Loop steppers

[Gary]

A closed loop stepper system consists of a stepper motor with an encoder either on the back of the motor or a linear encoder.
the closed loop would be handled by the controller not the driver.
you can use the motors as normal, you would just not connect the encoder.

[funkmonkey]

Ok thts great, mechanically this thing is sweet, just I have no idea what I need to buy to get it to running on the electrics side.

[funkmonkey]

This is the machine, I would like to get this running as a 3D router, any ideas on bits that are needed? Any help would be appreciated.

[irving2008]

This is the machine, I would like to get this running as a 3D router, any ideas on bits that are needed? Any help would be appreciated.

Not bad for £510... if you read off the part # on the motors or any other info we should be able to give you some clues!

[funkmonkey]

yeh I thought it was a good buy....when I picked it up today the guy said he paid £24 at auction for it, insolvency deal....thanks a lot I thought, didnt really need to know that!

x axis - VEXTA ASM66AK-T7.2 CLOSED LOOP STEP MOTOR
Y axis - VEXTA ASM66AK-T7.2 CLOSED LOOP STEP MOTOR
z axis - VEXTA PK266-02B 2 PHASE STEPPER MOTOR WITH CLEAN DAMPER

There are quite a few optical limit switches all over it.

[irving2008]

yeh I thought it was a good buy....when I picked it up today the guy said he paid £24 at auction for it, insolvency deal....thanks a lot I thought, didnt really need to know that!

x axis - VEXTA ASM66AK-T7.2 CLOSED LOOP STEP MOTOR
Y axis - VEXTA ASM66AK-T7.2 CLOSED LOOP STEP MOTOR
z axis - VEXTA PK266-02B 2 PHASE STEPPER MOTOR WITH CLEAN DAMPER

There are quite a few optical limit switches all over it.

OK, I've added links to the data sheets to the parts above.

The closed loop (X, Y) motors are going to be a little tricky. They are geared 7.2:1. According to the operating manual the standard driver for these does 0.05deg/pulse, i.e. 7200 pulses/rev, which means the motor does 1000 steps/rev, some form of microstepping drive. This is great for a very accurate pick n place mechanism but far too slow for a router. You may have to look at replacing these motors, but note they are offset (motor body to shaft) due to the gearbox. Might need a new bracket making up.

The Z motor is a fairly conventional 2-phase bipolar or unipolar motor. 1.4A phase (bipolr series)

[funkmonkey]

Thanks, so what I need is a new pair of motors and a 3 axis driver kit to make this work properly?

Will flog the Vexta's off on ebay I think then. What size motor roughly do you think I will need for this machine?

No worries on making bits I have a 3,000 sq ft workshop filled with machines, so I am all good.