[cowanrg]

I'm starting to rethink the controller for my PM30. I'm nearly complete with the conversion and in a few weeks I will transfer the electronics from my other mill over to the PM30. Currently, I am running 570oz-in motors for the X and Y, and have a ~700oz-in motor for the Z. The X and Y stepper drivers are 5056Ds and the Z axis is some generic driver I bought awhile back. I plan on upgrading the Z motor and driver.

The question is... Should I just switch over to the MX3660 (and get rid of my current drivers) or just replace the Z driver with an 8070D to drive a new ~900oz-in motor? I am currently using a C35 breakout, but am looking to get an ethernet smooth stepper.

The MX3660 looks nice on paper, but I'm wondering if the 5056D and 8070D combo would be better, since I don't necessarily need the breakout feature of the MX3660. I'm running a 48V supply for what it's worth.

[arizonavideo]

You don't say the current or voltage of the generic drivers so its a bit had to reply.

The Z is fairly heavy so a full current driver would be best. I think the 5056 driver only delivers 4.5 or 5A peak so you might want to get a true 6A driver like the Gecko.

I have run the 900 oz stepper at 5A at 50V on the Z and it worked fine but only got about 80 IPM with the lower voltage.

[cowanrg]

the Z has the generic driver. I think it's just a few amps. The stepper is a 2A, but it has really high inductance, so it needs a lot of voltage. I don't really plan on keeping either.

The ~900oz-in motors I've been looking at shouldn't really benefit from a higher voltage. I could go higher if I wanted. but I think ~52V is their max beneficial voltage.