Warco WM18 Y Axis power feed project

Have not seen the done to many Warco milling machines and have wanted to do this for a while. After I decided to replace the Nema 23 on the Z axis with a Nema 34 stepper motor I then had a spare Nema 23 and Controller for the Y axis project.

So, you need a Name 23 Stepper Motor, I am using the 3Nm one and the controller bought from Stepperonline --HERE--

I already have a power supply, 48v so going to use that. You will also need a PWM like this --HERE--, a change over relay, a double pole double throw on/off/on switch to control forward and reverse of the motor, a on/off power switch, a LED light (Optional) and some sort of limit switch.

I decided to go with 1 to 1 ratio pulleys and belt which I bought from CNC4U. So everything would fit I bought the 10mm pulleys.

Here is where I am up to today, I am awaiting the PWM and a replacement belt and the one I got was too short (Schoolboy error)

Very good, and I'm tempted to copy it.

I'm doing a fair amount of milling on my plain WM18 at the moment and working for more than a couple of hours on it has rubbed my nose in its shortcomings. The machine a little low for my height, which gives me backache, and cranking the handles slows progress down and is physically tiring, leading to silly mistakes.

If the session is less than about an hour, which is usual for me, I don't feel the need for power assist, or get backache. Any longer than that, and motorising the mill would pay off. And it needs to be raised an inch or two.

Dave

Nice project !

I’m happy to accept that it’s a trick of the light, if you say so … but those timing pulleys look rather rough.

MichaelG.

.

Ref. __ https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Pulleys-Pre-drilled-with-Grubscrew

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 14/04/2023 10:56:18

I have raised mine for the same reason, stout wooden blocks under neath raises it about 5"

Crap phone photo. They are nice

Thanks … I am relieved

MichaelG.

Got the belt this morning and its the correct size this time, YAY

As a matter of interest what is the reversing switch doing? It should NOT be in the wires to the motor because if the motor is energised (even if stopped) and you throw the switch the inductive kick from the coils may blow the driver. Reversing should be done by changing the logic state on the DIR input of the driver which only needs a simple one-pole changeover switch, or an on/off plus a pullup resistor.

Y axis? surely you mean the X axis which is the right and left travel?

Its done via the PWM

As this is my second stepper power feed, i know what i am doing

this is the wiring

The push switches on the frequency generator board were removed and wires soldered to the points shown.
A double pole double throw switch with centre off was used to control the direction and on/off. Shown top right.
A relay was necessary because to start the motor the switch wires are opened not closed as expected.

Edited By petro1head on 14/04/2023 15:21:00

Edited By petro1head on 14/04/2023 21:38:25

Nope Y

I have the supplied Warco power feed on the X axis

Edited By petro1head on 14/04/2023 15:25:27

Wohoo, just finished the wiring and done a quick test, it works

Good.

Fished control unit wiring

All i need to do is tidy up the external cables etc

Just an update. So far its been excellent. The only mods since the build is I replaced the toggle switch with a rocker one as i sometimes caught the toggle with my coat and the cover.

Edited By petro1head on 12/05/2023 11:18:45

I assume you have a DRO on the Y axis and that is why the dial is obscured?

Can you disengage the stepper motor and if so, how did you do that please?

Bob

That looks good, neat and tidy, perhaps it could be a future article in MEW in a manner to which Carl ?? did for the rotary table. John

Yes DRO fitted x, y and z.

No, i dont dissengauge the handwheel

Edited By petro1head on 12/05/2023 14:52:29

Well i am happy to provide infor but hopeless at writing