Z AXIS STEPPER MOTOR QUERY
- Thread starter supman
- Start date
that is a brake to stop the Z axis from falling down when there is no power to the motor drive. Because of the weight, the axis will drop when the motor is not powered.
see this video
see this video
Hi SUPMAN
I don't know for sure but my understanding is that some Z axis have brakes on them to stop the Z axis falling due to gravity when the stepper motor is powered down. I am assuming here that the brake is engaged when the power is off.
For instance a rack and pinion base Z axis would have almost no resistance when the stepper motors are turned off and the spindle would just drop to the table. Masso has no dedicated output for motor brakes.
That said it isn't needed and you could connect the brake to motors power supply. It may require a voltage regulator to drop the voltage to suit the solenoids requirements. When the stepper motors power up they will lock the Z axis in place and at the same time the solenoid pulls back releasing the brake. When the power is off the solenoid drops back and it will brake. You would also need to connect the solenoid through a relay connected to the E-stop relay output on Masso. In an E-stop situation the relay operates and removes the power from the brake solenoid locking the Z axis in place.
This is my best guess and I have made many assumptions here especially about the way the solenoid operates.
Cheers Peter
I don't know for sure but my understanding is that some Z axis have brakes on them to stop the Z axis falling due to gravity when the stepper motor is powered down. I am assuming here that the brake is engaged when the power is off.
For instance a rack and pinion base Z axis would have almost no resistance when the stepper motors are turned off and the spindle would just drop to the table. Masso has no dedicated output for motor brakes.
That said it isn't needed and you could connect the brake to motors power supply. It may require a voltage regulator to drop the voltage to suit the solenoids requirements. When the stepper motors power up they will lock the Z axis in place and at the same time the solenoid pulls back releasing the brake. When the power is off the solenoid drops back and it will brake. You would also need to connect the solenoid through a relay connected to the E-stop relay output on Masso. In an E-stop situation the relay operates and removes the power from the brake solenoid locking the Z axis in place.
This is my best guess and I have made many assumptions here especially about the way the solenoid operates.
Cheers Peter
HI PETER & MASSO
cheers for confirmation on the brake and response.
Once A E-stop situation arises wont it cut power to all the motors?
Do you think it will it be a problem (accuracy to the Z axis. ie: power fluctuation ) if I tap into the Z axis power supply (48v) via a voltage regulator in order to release the brake when required? or is it a case of suck it and see what happens. the motor is rated at 2.8v with the with the solenoid at 12v fluctuating while working.
cheers for confirmation on the brake and response.
Once A E-stop situation arises wont it cut power to all the motors?
Do you think it will it be a problem (accuracy to the Z axis. ie: power fluctuation ) if I tap into the Z axis power supply (48v) via a voltage regulator in order to release the brake when required? or is it a case of suck it and see what happens. the motor is rated at 2.8v with the with the solenoid at 12v fluctuating while working.
OK I powered up the brake solenoid with a 12v power supply but not with any control as to on and off. Result was that the Z Axis did not fall at any time during testing. As yet I am not sure exactly why it was installed.
I did look at a point of control via the gecko G302V stepper driver. on testing I have 48v supply to stepper driver. at idle each motor winding on Z axis has around 5v and under operation each winding has 24v.
As it was installed originally I will still hook this up to one of the motor windings power supply via a 24v relay switching 12volts too the brake as per Peters post.
I did look at a point of control via the gecko G302V stepper driver. on testing I have 48v supply to stepper driver. at idle each motor winding on Z axis has around 5v and under operation each winding has 24v.
As it was installed originally I will still hook this up to one of the motor windings power supply via a 24v relay switching 12volts too the brake as per Peters post.
