I'm upgrading my machine to be more rigid and accurate with the goal of cutting aluminum. One of the upgrades is to convert from belts to leadscrews. X and Y are planned to be 1/2-10 ACME, 5-start leadscrew. (Y is shorter so that could be 3/8-8 4-start, both have the same 1/2" lead length). Currently I have 62 oz-in NEMA17's which I think will "work" but probably won't be able to realize the full potential especially for cutting aluminum. What specific motors are others using with their leadscrew machines, and can you cut aluminum without too much chattering? Don't just say "Nema 23"... I want to know which ones specifically. I'm guessing I will need to also upgrade my driver to something other than grblShield (2.5A / motor, with the dual Y motors sharing a channel).
I use 269 oz Nema 23s. Two on the 1500 mm Y axis (one one each side of the gantry) driving the same 1/2"-10 5 start screws and one on the X axis driving an 850 mm 3/8"-8 4 start screw. I used a piece of the X axis cut-off for my 250mm Z axis and I use a 175 oz Nema 23 to drive that. I made my own anti-backlash nuts by making a tap out of cut-offs from each size acme rod. It was a fun side project. I basically modeled them after the OpenBuilds anti-backlash nuts. I upgraded from the GRBL Shield with the DRV8825s to the DQ542MA drivers because the smaller drivers would get hot and miss steps even with a fan blowing on them. I have cut aluminum with it several times with good and accurate results. I am still dialing in which end mill I like best and the feeds and speeds. I do not see a lot of chatter, but I am sure it isn't perfect . I am still new to it. I am also thinking of taking the leap to Estlecam because I like the other options for milling. If I had bought the DQ542MAs right off the bat, I think I would have got the high torque steppers because the difference in price does not appear to be that great -- especially with regards to the overall price of everything that went into my CNC.
Awesome, thanks for that Craig, exactly what I was looking for. So just to clarify, you have 3 (or possibly 4?) of those DQ542MA drivers connected to an arduino?
