584,858 active members*
4,778 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Novakon > Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    21

    Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    Hello,

    I have a few questions regarding servos vs stepper on the Torus Pro. Please assume that these questions are in regards to any type of material (aluminum, steel, stainless, etc.). Also please assume that this machine will most likely be solely a hobby machine, used quite infrequently.

    1. Will the servos provide a nicer finish?

    2. The main appeal in servos is speed, power, and known position, correct?

    3. Regarding known position above, how common is it for a stepper to lose steps? If my feeds and speeds are correct, is there any risk of it happening?

    4. What brand and model steppers does the Torus Pro use?

    Thanks in advance. I'm new to all this, so I am trying to make the best decision.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063

    Re: Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    1) No.
    2) Primarily speed, and the servos are much quieter. With a hardware motion controller (like SmoothStepper) the steppers work reliably at >=250 IPM. Min ran perfectly at 350IPM. The servos can do 500 IPM, when properly tuned.
    3) Never once lost steps with my Pro when it had steppers, unless I crashed it. The same it true of the servos.
    4) You'd have to ask Novakon, but who cares? They work very well.

    Regards,
    Ray L.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    594

    Re: Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    To me the main advantage of a servo would be the spindle to allow rigid tapping, but that's only available on the Pulsar.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063

    Re: Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    You don't need a servo spindle to do rigid tapping. A good controller can do it just fine with a VFD.

    Personally, I prefer T/C tapping heads - cheap, and very forgiving. You can even make your own. I made 6 for myself, for about the cost of one commercial head.

    Regards,
    Ray L.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    304

    Re: Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    Ray - can you post some pictures of your T/C tapping heads (and possibly the insides)?
    Or point me to where you have maybe already posted?
    www.CNC-Joe.com
    CNC Is Not Just My Passion.. It's My Addiction !!!!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063

    Re: Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    Quote Originally Posted by CNC-Joe View Post
    Ray - can you post some pictures of your T/C tapping heads (and possibly the insides)?
    Or point me to where you have maybe already posted?
    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/novako...ping-head.html

    Regards,
    Ray L.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    594

    Re: Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    Quote Originally Posted by SCzEngrgGroup View Post
    You don't need a servo spindle to do rigid tapping. A good controller can do it just fine with a VFD.

    Personally, I prefer T/C tapping heads - cheap, and very forgiving. You can even make your own. I made 6 for myself, for about the cost of one commercial head.

    Regards,
    Ray L.
    At least on my mills torque is quite low at low rpm. I can tap on the Bridgeport with back gear (only feel comfortable on through holes), but I haven't tried it on the NM200. Thread milling there for me.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    7063

    Re: Questions Regarding Servo Versus Stepper - Torus Pro.

    Quote Originally Posted by kvom View Post
    At least on my mills torque is quite low at low rpm. I can tap on the Bridgeport with back gear (only feel comfortable on through holes), but I haven't tried it on the NM200. Thread milling there for me.
    You'd have to add a decent spindle encoder, and Mach3 does not support tapping with a VFD, but several other controllers do, like UCCNC, and, I assume, PathPilot/LinuxCNC. And you MUST have the braking resistor. It has plenty of torque for tapping at several hundred RPM. You just need to be careful not to bottom out in blind holes, since you don't have exact control over where it stops.

    Regards,
    Ray L.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 61
    Last Post: 04-30-2023, 10:12 AM
  2. stepper or servo for Torus Pro?
    By MichaelC in forum Novakon
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-11-2016, 04:14 AM
  3. questions on Power versus Resolution and cutting versus engraving
    By Gozzie in forum Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine General Topics
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-06-2015, 05:35 AM
  4. Servo, ac or dc versus stepper
    By zoeper in forum Servo Motors / Drives
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-25-2006, 05:34 AM
  5. Quick servo vs stepper questions
    By Hack in forum CNC Machine Related Electronics
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-05-2004, 07:48 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •