Closed loop stepper motors

[Grahamd666]

I’ve got a Novamill which I’m looking to upgrade. Looking through some of the threads people have used bigger stepper motors but I was wondering if anyone has ever fitted closed loop stepper motors.
I’ve also purchased a touch screen all in one computer and I’m looking to connect via an Ethernet connection.
Thanks. Graham

[BDRetz]

I have just converted a Novamill to Centroid Acorn control and a Gecko G540 stepper driver. I am still using the original stepper motors and they appear to be working well. The Acorn board is a Ethernet connection to the touch screen computer. I was able to reuse the existing wiring between the mill and cabinet as well.
I plan to use it a while and maybe upgrade to Teknic Clearpath servos eventually if it earns its keep. The Clearpath servos should interface well with the Acorn board. The Y axis motor might be a challenge as it has to be pretty short for clearance. I might have to put in a column raising block at the same time or reorientate the motor out the back to make it work.

Hope this helps

Ben

[Gingermittens]

I appreciate that this is an old thread, but I have a set of hybrid closed loop steppers on my Novamill (two NEMA 23s and a NEMA34), along with a surprisingly compact braked 750W servo to replace the Baldor spindle motor. The intention is to get rigid tapping up and working ideally. I've had it moving properly with all the fitted motors, but I'm now half way through a full controller upgrade - I got the parameters on my Fanuc clone controller unlocked, so I can now also run a 4th axis. This does mean that I've got to recalibrate everything else now though.

I am genuinely considering upgrading every motor on there to 60 frame servos for X and Y and an 85 for Z, but that's a "when I have money" project, which given that I've got a kid on the way, won't be any time this decade