WM18 – Z Axis power feed

[LainchyParticipant @lainchy]

My WM14 is quite heavy to lift the head. I saw that Andrew Whale has fitted a gas strut to assist on his Sieg Mill. Is this an option on the WM18?

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by Lainchy on 06/08/2019 16:37:17:

My WM14 is quite heavy to lift the head. I saw that Andrew Whale has fitted a gas strut to assist on his Sieg Mill. Is this an option on the WM18?

My WM18 has the gas strut and was std

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 06/08/2019 16:23:05:

For sizing the motor, here's what it look to overcome stiction and lift my WM18's head:

A weight of 6.5kg suspended from the manual winding handle was necessary to get movement. The handle is 55mm from the axle. 6.5kg is approximately 64N.

T = 0.055m x 64N = 3.52Nm

The handle turns the screw via 1:1 gearing.

Th e measurement confirms the 1.9Nm motor recommended by Chris is too small and a 3 to 4Nm motor as recommended by Joe is in the right ball-park. Not sure how typical my WM18 is: certainly raising the head is hard work! Given my figures a 4Nm motor would be needed for my WM18.

As my maths is awful, grateful for corrections…

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 06/08/2019 16:25:33

Thanks for that. Does your WM18 have the gas strut

[Joseph Noci 1Participant @josephnoci1]

Posted by petro1head on 06/08/2019 15:54:33:

Posted by Joseph Noci 1 on 06/08/2019 14:51:44:

Top end of the column :0

Is this any help: Frequency: High: 5.8KHZ-127KHZ, Mid: 590HZ-15.8KHZ, Low: 82HZ-2.3KHZ

No, not really. Its the width of the actual pulse that is of interest, but I think safely ignored with your other findings..The motor is just a little on the small side..A pity your are so far away – I have many steppers languishing and would be happy to donate! Problem is shipping from Namibia is twice, or more, the Ebay cost for 4NM motor!

You can always use that motor on the x axis now..

Joe

[ChrisBParticipant @chrisb35596]

Wow! Are you sure you have a gas strut on your WM18 petrolhead? I mean no wonder you want a power assistance with 6.5kg force to move the head. I have checked mine and it's not more than 2kg to break away. Can someone else with a similar mill check as well please?

If you can't send the motor back, maybe you can use a different mounting setup? Say with a belt, and use a reduction to gain a mechanical advantage?

Trying to somehow redeem myself….🤔

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by petro1head on 06/08/2019 16:51:16:

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 06/08/2019 16:23:05:

…

Thanks for that. Does your WM18 have the gas strut

No such luxuries on my machine. If a strut were fitted, I'm sure less weight would be needed to move the head!

There's distinct stiction on my Z-movement and once the head is moving it needs noticeably less torque to keep going. Trouble is the motor has to be big enough to get the head moving from a dead stop.

Dave

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by Joseph Noci 1 on 06/08/2019 17:11:14:

You can always use that motor on the x axis now..

Joe

I have the Warco one, however the motor has now stopped working, so in the bin it goes

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by ChrisB on 06/08/2019 17:42:37:

Wow! Are you sure you have a gas strut on your WM18 petrolhead? I mean no wonder you want a power assistance with 6.5kg force to move the head. I have checked mine and it's not more than 2kg to break away. Can someone else with a similar mill check as well please?

If you can't send the motor back, maybe you can use a different mounting setup? Say with a belt, and use a reduction to gain a mechanical advantage?

Trying to somehow redeem myself….🤔

My WM18 has the gas strut, had to reinstall it when I assembled the machine in the hut.

It was SillyOldDuffer's machine that needed 6.6kg as his does not have the gas strut

You will have to try harder than that

 

Edited By petro1head on 06/08/2019 17:54:04

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Progress report. Yeh it a slow progress due let downs by ebay suppliers

I ordered the replacement 3Nm motor which arrives within 2 days, well done EU Stepperonline

Control box is built, wiring done.

I have one question re limit switches. I have one at the top but unsure where or even if, the lower should go. My thinking is depending what I am doing the lower stop will never be in the right place?

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

I have completed my project. Thanks for the great input guys

 

PS Could a MOD edit the title to add: Finished Project please

Edited By petro1head on 10/08/2019 20:10:30

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Will it move slowly enough to power feed while cutting?

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by not done it yet on 10/08/2019 20:27:21:

Will it move slowly enough to power feed while cutting?

Yes

[ChrisBParticipant @chrisb35596]

Glad to see it working! 😋

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by ChrisB on 10/08/2019 21:24:11:

Glad to see it working! 😋

Cheers, the smaller motor still lives so may be put to use for something or you can buy it

 

 

Edited By petro1head on 11/08/2019 04:25:42

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

I am going to make one for my WM16. It has the 2 thin nuts at the top of the shaft. How did you couple your stepper to the shaft? I am thinking of removing the top nut and making a coupling with the same internal thread.

Stuart

[Oven ManParticipant @ovenman]

Posted by Stuart Smith 5 on 09/09/2023 16:15:47:

I am going to make one for my WM16. It has the 2 thin nuts at the top of the shaft. How did you couple your stepper to the shaft? I am thinking of removing the top nut and making a coupling with the same internal thread.

Stuart

I have a Chester Champion 20V that is similar to the WM16 and that is exactly what I did. I I remember correctly it is an M16 x 1.5mm pitch thread. There's not a huge amount of thread even with the nut removed but it appears to be sufficient, mine has worked perfectly for the last few years.

Peter

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by Stuart Smith 5 on 09/09/2023 16:15:47:

I am going to make one for my WM16. It has the 2 thin nuts at the top of the shaft. How did you couple your stepper to the shaft? I am thinking of removing the top nut and making a coupling with the same internal thread.

Stuart

I remove the thin nuts and made a new one with a slot. Grub screws to secure

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

Thanks to both of you. I’ll make something like that.

Stuart

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