Dual Y stepper in series or expansion module
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Duet 2 wifi, using dual z steppers with auto leveling. I just added dual Y-steppers and realized I'm out of drivers on the Duet 2. Should I wire the Y steppers in series or use an expansion module for syncing benefits or is that possible? Obviously wiring in series is much easier and cheaper but I'm so far down this rabbit hole there's no hope. Thank you
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I guess it depends on if you think you'll need more steppers down the road. Adding a Duex2 or 5 might be a good option.
https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duex2_and_Duex5_Features
Or if you have an external stepper you could get the expansion breakout board.
https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duet_Expansion_Breakout_Board
Wiring in series would work too, but you'd have to have a way of squaring the two sides. Gently forcing it into a hard stop at low current may be enough to do that. Maybe you could provide some more details about the printer?
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@phaedrux said in Dual Y stepper in series or expansion module:
I guess it depends on if you think you'll need more steppers down the road. Adding a Duex2 or 5 might be a good option.
https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duex2_and_Duex5_Features
Or if you have an external stepper you could get the expansion breakout board.
https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Duet_Expansion_Breakout_Board
Wiring in series would work too, but you'd have to have a way of squaring the two sides. Gently forcing it into a hard stop at low current may be enough to do that. Maybe you could provide some more details about the printer?
This thread is expanding on my last one, could have continued it there I guess. I took the advice of the posters in that thread and the current setup is with bearings and two Y steppers. I don't plan on adding anything else in the future so wiring in series sounds like my best bet. Can you elaborate on a method to square the sides, please? Thank you
https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/22319/need-help-with-y-axis-re-design?_=1617805459560
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There's also the option to use external Ramps-compatible stepper drivers.
Keyes has a breakoutboard for those Pololu-style drivers.Nevertheless, I'd never mix different drivers to work on a single axis.
Also consider the noise coming from external steppers. The onboard TMC-drivers are by far the most silent drivers. -
@resh said in Dual Y stepper in series or expansion module:
Can you elaborate on a method to square the sides, please? Thank you
The idea is that you push the Y axis into the frame at low motor current so that it will stall when it gets resistance. Hopefully pushing both sides into the frame until they stop. It's rather crude, but can work.
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@phaedrux said in Dual Y stepper in series or expansion module:
@resh said in Dual Y stepper in series or expansion module:
Can you elaborate on a method to square the sides, please? Thank you
The idea is that you push the Y axis into the frame at low motor current so that it will stall when it gets resistance. Hopefully pushing both sides into the frame until they stop. It's rather crude, but can work.
I think I'm following. Could I not turn the stepper by hand until it hits? So I essentially run the Y axis to either end and for example if one side touches first, then turn the other till it touches. And this is a one time deal or I need to check this periodically? I see where two limit switches and separate drivers would be nice.
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They should stay in sync fairly well I think, but after a while you may notice some drift.
