Hello Everyone,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I am tackling a project and could use some advice. I have an older (2005 era) PRT 96. My project is to build a rotary axis. (But before you say ‘you can buy one!’….I know that. ) I am doing this as a project for a local SolidWorks user group. The project will help develop presentation material, so in the end I’ll be able to present the project (and have a rotary axis J
My question is specifically about the motor. I emailed back and forth with Ryan at ShopBot who was very helpful. I plan on buying the tail stock and making a 4 jaw chuck. The challenge (for me) is the motor. I was recommended to buy an Oriental Motor, with an amp level below 3. With some of the math that Ryan provided, here is what I understand:

  • A basic stepper will rotate 1.8 degrees per step, so 200 steps per full rotation.
  • My board (ShopBot Controls V3.54) I believe has ¼ stepping., or 800 steps per full rotation
  • Sooo….am I to understand that this results in 0.45 degrees per step? (360 degrees/800 steps = 0.45 degrees / step)

If my math is correct, I’d like some recommendations from anyone that has tinkered with this sort of thing as to how I should proceed. My feeling is I’ll need to do a few things:

  • Design a motor bracket (most likely will be done on a mill out of aluminum.)
  • Add some gearing to increase the resolution.
  • Modify the control software and my post.

Am I missing something?
Also, does anyone have experience with buying an Oriental Motor? Do these connect directly to the older V3.54 control boards, or will I have to do some splicing and wiring?
And finally, is it at all practical to buy an identical motor to what comes standard on my X and Y axis? Or are we comparing apples to oranges?
Thanks for the help…any advice would be appreciated.
-Keith
PS: If Ryan is reading this...thanks again!