Couple Stepper Drivers
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Is it possible to join together two stepper drivers to output onto a single motor for the purpose of increasing stepper driver total current? Can you just join the stepper drivers together and only hook up each opposing coil from either stepper driver?
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No, that's not a safe thing to do. The choppers in the stepper drivers run from their own internal clocks, so they won't be in sync.
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Probably better off hooking up an external stepper driver if you're not using the expansion for whichever board you're using?
How much current do you need?
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@dc42 said in Couple Stepper Drivers:
No, that's not a safe thing to do. The choppers in the stepper drivers run from their own internal clocks, so they won't be in sync.
Dang I will be running Nema23's rated at 4A. Two on the Y-axis and one on the X-axis. I think driving the two Y axis motors each wither their own stepper will be enough but not sure on the X-axis. This is for a 4x6ft CNC table.
I guess I will just have to see. Worst case if it does not work out I can add external drivers.
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@bearer said in Couple Stepper Drivers:
Probably better off hooking up an external stepper driver if you're not using the expansion for whichever board you're using?
How much current do you need?
I am using the Duet Wifi. I think @ 2.4A from the Duet (if that is sustainable for everyday use, will definitely have strong active cooling) on the 4A motors should be good for slower speeds. I am pairing them with a T12x2 leadscrews so there should be ample torque, just curious about speeds with that small of a pitch.
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Preferably, either choose Nema 23 motors with a lower rated current (e.g. 2.8A), or use Duet 3 to drive the 4A ones.
You can estimate the maximum speed using the EMF calculator at repeapfirmware.org.