[4lowie]

Hi guys

I built a CNC quilting machine for the wife and I'd like to replace the sewing machine motor with a stepper motor. The reason for this is I can control the speed better and run it at a lot lower speed.
My break out board is 4 axis and I only use 2, X & Y. I know how to wire it up etc but not sure about gcode. If I issue a command to the Z axis which will be my motor, all other commands wait till this has been executed, right. So I should use the A axis? f so what would the code lines be to turn it on at the start of the cycle and off once all other commands have been completed?

Thanks

[ger21]

Wouldn't using it as a spindle work the best?

[4lowie]

Wouldn't using it as a spindle work the best?

Thanks Gerry

Not sure how to configure this as a spindle..... So would we just use any of the spare axis drives as per normal then do we just issue a different type of code to drive it?
Never tried using a stepper this way, just read about turning it a set number of degree's.

Could you please expand on how to configure this extra drive for rotation.

Cheers, appreciate your help.

Dave

[ger21]

What control are you using?

[4lowie]

What control are you using?

Mach3 with a cheap Chinese USB breakout board.

[ger21]

Then you just configure the axis as a step/direction spindle.
You then can start and stop it with M3/M5, and use the S word to control the speed.

[4lowie]

Cool, sound easy. I'll give it a try when I return home from work next week.

Thanks

[handlewanker]

Hi Ger....I pondered this question and correct me if I'm wrong...…..as he is only using the X and Y stepper drivers wouldn't it be simpler to use one of the other drivers....the Z axis one.....to control the speed of the motor by giving it a G1 and feed rate command in G code?.....calculating the feed rate to get an equivalent rotational speed shouldn't be too hard.
Ian.

[4lowie]

Hi Ian

I thought about this but doesn't that line of gcode that controls the Z axis have to complete before the next line can start?