[drxlcarfreak]

Hmm, a bit more money, but a lot more bang for the buck. Looking at the specs, it appears that these drivers still work: https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/st...or-dm860t.html

And with a 3.3mH inductance, I am looking for a 60V power supply and 16amps total assuming 2/3 of the total amperage of the motors?

So this is a decent Nema 34 setup?
4 of these: https://www.automationtechnologiesin...l34h295-43-8a/
4 of these: https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/st...or-dm860t.html
4 of these: https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/po...tage-v%5B60%5D

I am guessing that the 2/3 of the rated current of each motor doesn't work if each motor gets its own power supply right? If so, would I want to have a power supply that can provide more power than the stepper needs for head room such as this one? https://www.ebay.com/itm/400W-60V-6-...4383.l4275.c10

[ger21]

How about one of these?
PS-10N56 - 1000W 56V Power Supply - AnTek Products Corp

http://www.antekinc.com/ps-10n63-100...-power-supply/

[Tutu]

Much better to use the antec PSU's as ger21 suggests and current issues go away

Regulated or Unregulated Power Supply
Both regulated and unregulated power supplies can be used to supply the drive. However,
unregulated power supplies are preferred due to their ability to withstand current surge. If regulated
power supplies (such as most switching supplies.) are indeed used, it is important to have large
current output rating to avoid problems like current clamp, for example using 4A supply for 3A
motor-drive operation. On the other hand, if unregulated supply is used, one may use a power supply
of lower current rating than that of motor (typically 50%～70% of motor current). The reason is that
the drive draws current from the power supply capacitor of the unregulated supply only during the
ON duration of the PWM cycle, but not during the OFF duration. Therefore, the average current
withdrawn from power supply is considerably less than motor current. For example, two 3A motors
can be well supplied by one power supply of 4A rating."

http://www.leadshine.com/UploadFile/Down/AM882m.pdf

[drxlcarfreak]

Those look nice. Is a single power supply better than a power supply for each driver? I am only asking because I can get the individual power supplies for about $70 cheaper than that monster. If its better to go with a single, then I am in.

[drxlcarfreak]

Much better to use the antec PSU's as ger21 suggests and current issues go away


http://www.leadshine.com/UploadFile/Down/AM882m.pdf

Ahh, ok. That makes sense then. I was wondering why it would be better to pay more for a single power supply than have more power available to each stepper.

[drxlcarfreak]

So, this may be a dumb question, but looking more at these motion controllers, is there any reason to get a UC400ETH over a UC300ETH-5LPT? On CNC4PC, bundled with UCCNC software its only 9 cents more to get the UC300ETH. Both would need a breakout board, but the UC300 provides 3 more parallel ports for future expansion than the UC400, or am I missing something?

[ger21]

Imo, no.
The UC300ETH also includes analog inputs and outputs, which make it easy to connect potentiometers for feedrate and spindle override knobs.
The pricing structure almost makes it a difficult choice to even buy a UC100, when you can get so much more with the UC300ETH for only $45 more dollars.

[drxlcarfreak]

Makes sense. No idea what I would use 90% of the extra I/Os for right now, but it seems like a no brainer not to limit myself for a couple extra bucks. Speaking of bucks, I finally got a grasp of all that is needed (I think), and WOW the small stuff really adds up fast. I apparently cannot add in my head well. I know I upgraded a couple items, like changing from a Nema 23 to 34 setup, and a slightly more expensive router, but I did not expect the cost to get up and running to be double the full kit! Even dropping back to the lower router and the Nema 23 setup we talked about earlier in the thread, it looks like I am coming in right at $3,000.00. Not sure where I got the number from, but I was really expecting to be near $2,500.00 all in minus spoil board and bits. Am I out of wack on pricing anywhere below, and even more importantly am I missing anything important that would bring the price up higher?

Part	Name	Price	Qty	Extended	Shipping	Total	Link
CNC Kit	2x4 Fineline	$1,775	1	$1,775	0	$1,775	https://www.finelineautomation.com/products/2-x-4-cnc-router?taxon_id=2
CNC Table	Lowes	$200.00	1	$200.00	0	$200.00	lowes.com/duh
Router Mount	Porter Cable	$94.75	1	$94.75	0	$94.75	https://www.finelineautomation.com/products/porter-cable-690-892-spindle-mount?taxon_id=51
Router	Porter Cable 892	$177.99	1	$177.99	$10.68	$188.67	https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-892-2-1-4-Horsepower-Router/dp/B0000DCBK0
UCCNC Screenshot	CNCwoodworker	$25.00	1	$25.00	$0.00	$25.00	http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html
Power Supply	PS-10N63R5R12	$180.00	1	$180.00	$19.00	$199.00	http://www.antekinc.com/ps-10n63-1000w-63v-power-supply/
Motor Drivers	DM860T	$39.93	4	$159.72	$9.42	$169.14	https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/stepper-motor-driver/digital-stepper-driver-24-72a-18-80vac-or-36-110vdc-for-nema-34-motor-dm860t.html
Stepper Motors	KL34H295-43-8A	$79.00	4	$316.00	$25.86	$341.86	https://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-34/kl34h295-43-8a/
Motion Controller	UC300ETH-5LPT	$209.00	1	$209.00	$11.75	$220.75	https://cnc4pc.com/uc300eth-ethernet-motion-controller-b.html
Software	UCCNC	Above	1	Above	Aove	Above	Above
Cable from UC300 to C10	ID26 to DB25	$4.50	1	$4.50	Above	$4.50	https://cnc4pc.com/idc26-db25-lph-26-pin-to-db-25-ribbon-cable.html
Breakout Board	C10S	$28.04	1	$28.04	Above	$28.04	https://cnc4pc.com/c10s-bi-directional-parallel-port-interface-card.html
Stepper Wire	18 Gauge/ft 20'/axis	$0.95	72	$68.40	0	$68.40	https://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/cnc-parts/4-conductor-18ga-shielded-motor-wires/
5% For Misc Bits						$165.76
						$3,480.87

[ger21]

What are you going to put the electonics in?

Home and Limit switches? And more wiring for them? E-Chain for the wires and cables?

I'd seriously consider spending another $130 for a spindle.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FOUR-BEARIN...IAAOSw1vlUtyPk
But then you'll want a breakout board with spindle speed control.

[drxlcarfreak]

Yeah, the case I was planning to rig something up from an electrical enclosure from lowes, but that also costs a bit of money, and doesn't really have any means for airflow in it.

E-chain, I am hoping to have a buddy 3d print a set out for me to get me started, unless I can find a cheap source of them.

Are home and limit switches separate entities? The threads I've read make it seem like they are the same switch, just set up through the controller differently.

Whew, another upsell from my original thoughts! Haha. Are there any cheap breakout boards to handle this?

[ger21]

Are home and limit switches separate entities?

They can be, but most people use the same switch for both.

Whew, another upsell from my original thoughts! Haha. Are there any cheap breakout boards to handle this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Axis-CNC-...UAAOSwKtlWqCrJ
Note that you'll need a 12V-24V power supply for this breakout board, but any small cheap one will work.

[drxlcarfreak]

Sorry for the delay. Busy week! I actually planned to get the power supply you suggest with an additional 5v and 12v output. Seemed cheap enough to add and a cleaner installation.

Dumb question, is that breakout board replacing the C10S, or in addition to the C10s just to control the spindle speed? On a related note, I should be picking up the kit next Friday, so I guess it is time to start ordering all the other parts!

[ger21]

Dumb question, is that breakout board replacing the C10S, or in addition to the C10s just to control the spindle speed?

Either. Depends on how many inputs and output you need.
Note that the chinese board will only work on 2 of the 5 ports on the UC300, but the C10 will work on all 5.

[Tutu]

Personally I'd go for AM882 for my drivers and ditch the nema 34's for a 3nm nema 23 that frame isn't strong enough to take advantage of the nema 34 extra torque and the 34 will just be slow.

I also went for a water cooled spindle
1. Noise, air cooled spindles are very very loud.
2. More control over speed, air cooled spindles need to be spun at a certain speed to keep them cool, water cooled don't have this issue.
3. I have a lot of experience with water cooling so it was a non issue.

It's good to see you're going with a proper unregulated PSU, pair this with the AM882's and 3nm nema 23's and you'll have a super smooth performance and really no need for nema 34's.

[ger21]

1. Noise, air cooled spindles are very very loud.

I have two air cooled spindles, and they are not loud at all. At 15,000 rpm and below, I'd say that they are no louder than a stepper motor.

[drxlcarfreak]

Personally I'd go for AM882 for my drivers and ditch the nema 34's for a 3nm nema 23 that frame isn't strong enough to take advantage of the nema 34 extra torque and the 34 will just be slow.

I also went for a water cooled spindle
1. Noise, air cooled spindles are very very loud.
2. More control over speed, air cooled spindles need to be spun at a certain speed to keep them cool, water cooled don't have this issue.
3. I have a lot of experience with water cooling so it was a non issue.

It's good to see you're going with a proper unregulated PSU, pair this with the AM882's and 3nm nema 23's and you'll have a super smooth performance and really no need for nema 34's.

I was under the impression that this kit was strong enough for the Nema 34 setup. I mean it is a $500 extra to go to the 34s, if it offers me no faster cutting then, it would make sense to stick with the nema 23 setup. Do you own this machine, or know anyone disappointed with their 34 setup?

I have two air cooled spindles, and they are not loud at all. At 15,000 rpm and below, I'd say that they are no louder than a stepper motor.

That's good to know. The quieter the better. I may be able to talk the wife into moving it out of the garage and into a room in the basement!

[ger21]

Are the rack and pinion drives on that machine the CNCRP Standard, or PRO. If they are the standard, then I'd go with Nema 23.
If they are the Pro models, then I'd go Nema 34, and consider these motors.
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...-single-shaft/
These have more torque at higher rpm, and will potentially be faster. And, they are a bit cheaper.

That's good to know. The quieter the better. I may be able to talk the wife into moving it out of the garage and into a room in the basement!

Depending on what you are doing, cutting noise will often be substantially louder than any machine noise.

[drxlcarfreak]

Are the rack and pinion drives on that machine the CNCRP Standard, or PRO. If they are the standard, then I'd go with Nema 23.
If they are the Pro models, then I'd go Nema 34, and consider these motors.
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...-single-shaft/
These have more torque at higher rpm, and will potentially be faster. And, they are a bit cheaper.



Depending on what you are doing, cutting noise will often be substantially louder than any machine noise.

This is the only option on their site, I'm guessing that it's the standard version? I know I saw Nate made a post about updating his design, not sure if it is departing from the CNCRP line design though.

https://www.finelineautomation.com/products/rack-and-pinion-drive?taxon_id=38

[ger21]

Looks like he may be making his own? Regardless, it says 3:1 reduction, which is the same as the pro.
I think those 465oz Nema 34's would be a good option, and be $80 cheaper than the larger ones. With more power than the Nema 23's.

[drxlcarfreak]

Fair enough. Oh, these are a 1.65mH as well. That means I would be good with a 48v 16amp power supply instead of the 60v then right?