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is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??

Posted by DesignSmurf 
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DesignSmurf
is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 05:21AM
Hi,

Just a short question:

I need more power to move the Y travel.
Can I safely connect a second motor (with a split cable) to double power output on a ramps A4988 stepper driver?
I am using a 60 mm NEMA 17, 1.5A , 4V , Torque: 0.65N.m. motor.

Thanks.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2014 06:05AM by DesignSmurf.
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jinx
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 08:46AM
i done it on the Z of a prusa mendel,, curious to know how you gonna mount a second motor on the Y
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DesignSmurf
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 08:55AM
The Y on this setup is sliding on dual linear guides about 900mm long and it's moved with a threaded rod.
I am planning to put the extra stepper motor on the other end of the threaded rod and wire it so it runs in reverse.
The load on the Y can go up to 5 kg and it proves to much for 1 motor....
I just hope it works better under full load with an extra motor installed.
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lazzymonk
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 08:57AM
You can do it, but might not get any more power. If you connect another motor in parallel you would need to increase the current. But you can max out an A4988 with one motor. Connect them in series you wouldnt need to increase the current but would reduce the speed.

Why would you need more power anyway? Is your y axis too heavy? or binding?
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DesignSmurf
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 08:58AM
Jinx,

Do you use arduino + ramps with an A4988 driver?
Did you have to do anything else but split the wires and connect the motors?
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DesignSmurf
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 09:14AM
It's a single Z arm printer with the Y axis moving the X and Z along the print space.
The X and Z weight together with motors and other stuff is about 5KG. the Y motor has to move all this. I was hoping by adding a motor I would have extra control over the movement.
I could also switch to a printrboard Rev D if the output of that board would give more amp to the motors?
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cnc dick
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 09:27AM
What pitch is your screw this is important on trying to figure out how much power and speed you need. Me personally I would just switch to a Nema 23 motor number KL23H-256-20-6A it is speced out at 166 ounce inch at 1.5 amp I think you can get them for about 30 bucks. The larger diameter of the Nema 23's give you more torque because it's just like a lever further out from the fulcrum which is your shaft center but be careful very few work well with the small drivers the number I posted works fantastic.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2014 09:32AM by cnc dick.
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DesignSmurf
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 10:05AM
Pitch is 3mm, 12mm shaft.
Can I just replace a nema 17 for a nema 23? (after changing the faceplate to adjust for the bigger size)
I didn't know I could use that motor type with Ramps.

And can I keep using the nema 17 for the rest of the setup or do I have to replace them all?

this Y-motor is the only stationary motor. size doesn't matter. I would like to keep the rest as light as possible.

something like this : ? ( I can't find your example.)

[www.robotdigg.com]

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2014 10:22AM by DesignSmurf.
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jinx
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 10:56AM
yea I use the ramps +[www.pololu.com] and just soldered the two motor onto one connector lead job done
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DesignSmurf
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 11:12AM
@ cnc dick


Where did you order your KL23H-256-20-6A stepper motor?

thanks.
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cnc dick
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 11:48AM
Quote
DesignSmurf
@ cnc dick


Where did you order your KL23H-256-20-6A stepper motor?

thanks.
this is where I got it [www.automationtechnologiesinc.com] At 3 mm pitch it's going to be very slow
at 3 mm pitch
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DesignSmurf
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 10, 2014 12:05PM
I could replace the thread with this one? [www.automationtechnologiesinc.com]
would that speed things up enough for this stepper motor to work properly? I can't find the pitch of it so I'm not sure.
Would be easy, then I can order the motor, the connector to the rod the fixed bearing the bal-screw and the endbearing all at once.
I just hope the torque on this nema23 is big enough for the forces coming with the faster speeds.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2014 04:05PM by DesignSmurf.
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cnc dick
Re: is it possible to connect 2 motors on 1 A4988 stepper driver??
March 11, 2014 04:21AM
It Depends on what you're building are you building a printer. If you are building a printer NO it's not it's only 5mm per turn you need at least 16mm per turn and up to 20 mm or above for the X and Y. The latest guy building one with a screw is here in the home forums under extruded aluminum machines is aluminum reprap with lead screws by SAMP20. Post a picture of what you're trying to build hear is a picture of the one I built

Edited 8 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2014 05:00AM by cnc dick.
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DesignSmurf
No more 2 motors, single Nema23 with a pully.
March 23, 2014 03:23PM
Hi dick.

I finally did the calculation for the spindle. As you said, the thing would move less than 3mm per second. So I went for a 1Nm 2A Nema23 to give the force I need. Dropped the spindle and changed the design to use a pully.
I just put in the final order and will receive stuff next week.
I have been changing the Y rail and stuff. I'ts not as bad as I expected. To move in the Y direction I now need about 200gram force to start. When its moves only about 30gr to keep it going.

Thanks for the warning!
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DesignSmurf
Re: I finished my LARGE printer!!smiling smiley
April 01, 2014 08:50AM
Hi.

I finished the printer!
I am going to use it to print with clay.

The bed size is 100x60 cm
Print size is 80x60x85 cm



And a youtube link for printer in action
[www.youtube.com]

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2014 10:53AM by DesignSmurf.
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