X2 Mini Mill Power Feed

[Stieglitz]

Hi, is there anyway of controlling a stepper motor via a potentiometer.As yet I have limited knowledge of these motors.Any advise most welcome.
Cheers.

 

[RonGinger]

Not directly, but its not hard. You need some kind of pulse generator. A simple circuit with 555 timer IC will do it. I think there are a couple kits available for just a few dollars, ask Google. Its also very easy with an arduino, but that is kind of overkill.

I just finished a power feed for the Z axis of my Grizzly G0704 mill. I used an arduino and have a push button for up and down. I also have a push button that sets a limit position so the motor will not run past that point.

 

[davidl]

David

Can I ask how you powered your stepper motor and what program you used to make it move, this was the part that I had the most trouble with, of late I've been messing with powering the X axis, I don't think the Y axis is going to be a problem as it should take a stepper straight onto the back, heaven only knows if I can manage to adapt the Arduino to run all three steppers though.
Mark

Griffin,
I did not use a program. The motor was powered by a stepper motor drive board . I added a pulse generator to provide the clock pulse and switches provided voltage to the "enable" terminal and earthing to the "direction" terminal. The driver and pulse generator were bought on eBay. I include a couple of pics. One day I might get to and build a proper CNC unit. Currently I'm just happy not to have keep cranking handles.
Cheers

 

[davidl]

Hi David would be good to see how you attached the said motor.

Here is an assembly drawing I made
Cheers

 

[Stieglitz]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the info will take me just that bit further down the yellow brick road.
Cheers and Thanks

 

[AFCarbon15]

Check into Arduino. You can create some pretty simple or extensive driver programs. Or just copy one of the hundreds you'll find scattered.

 

[Stieglitz]

Hi All,
Thanks a lot for all the helpful info,I have ordered the generator board and driver board from e-bay.
Cheers.

 

[AFCarbon15]

Hi All,
Thanks a lot for all the helpful info,I have ordered the generator board and driver board from e-bay.
Cheers.

Keep us posted. Interested to see what you come up with.