Stepper motor selection for woodworking CNC router

Hello,

I am looking to build my own CNC wood router. I currently own a used one that I purchased off someone else who built it. It isn't large enough and I don't particularly want to modify it since it will work for some of my smaller projects.

The current one uses I believe NEMA23 stepper motors for a 5 ft. (X-axis - 1 Stepper) x 6 ft. (Y-axis - 2 Stepper) x 6 in. (Z-axis - 1 Stepper) cut area using a palm router.

I have the mechanical side of the project locked down for the new one, but I need to select the stepper motors and the other electronics that will be compatible.

My General Specs:

Overall dimensions:

X = 6 ft. (overall) (1 stepper motor)
Y = 10 ft. (overall) (2 stepper motor)
Z = about 1 ft. (milling height) (1 stepper motor)

Router weight = 10 lbs. (per online spec)
Gantry = 15 - 20 lbs. prior to stepper motors and router (estimated, it may be less)

max required in / min. = 100 in. / min.
Average milling speed X - Y axis = 40 - 60 in / min.

Rack and gear combo for X and Y axis.
Screw for Z axis.

Any recommendations?

Given your very modest speed requirements, just using duplicates of your other machine motors and controls should work fine.

Thanks for the quick response Jim.

The current one uses a USB to serial converter. Is there a current control board that can go direct from USB?

A quick search turned up this one. https://www.automationtechnologiesin...ntroller-mk3-4

I don't really know anything about these boards. But you can read all about them here https://www.cnczone.com/forums/planetcnc/

I would prefer to use an ethernet smoothstepper or UC400eth for controller. Usb can bring up noise issues if using vfd spindles.

For steppers I would use nema24 566oz motors.
For drivers I would use DM860T.
I would run them on 60v power supplies.

I have this type of setup on my mill and it flies. After trying so many different steppers/drivers/voltage combinations this is where I settled.
I've tested it as far as 130ipm with almost full acceleration and it never missed.

I'll look into some links later.

Following my previous post.

Motor:
Best budget motor but small size shaft.
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...l23h2100-56-4b
2.2mh iinductance, 1/4" shaft.
Next option slightly thicker shaft:
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...flat-570-oz-in
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...00-50-4b-cable
2.5mh iind, 3/8th" shaft.
Next oiption metric shaft:
https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/ne...s39-4204d.html
3mh ind, 8mm shaft.
The last one is exact same spec as my ones (I have different brand). Using 60v on a driver compensates for the higher inductance value. All three are perfectly fine at that voltage though.
Driver:
https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/di...or-dm860t.html
Power supply:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...c00VlWAs0&mp=1
You can choose input/output voltages to suit needs.
I have a 60v out / 220v in.
There are other brands/sellers to browse through too.


The above is if you are not looking into closed loop units.
Or if looking at proper servo systems like:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3304...16109932%22%7D