I don't want to write a novel to start this off, so I'm going to try to be brief about this. I'm trying to decide what type of drive type I want to use for the plasma table I want to start building. I also need to make sure that I know how to gear it when I design it.
I know the speed a stepper motor runs at is related to the power applied. I also know (assume?) that I want my table to be capable of traveling somewhere in the range of 300ipm maximum in the X and Y directions. Movement in the Z directions will be microscopic. Assuming that I'm correct in this, how to I calculate what sort of gearing ratio do I need? Is there an "ideal" speed range for these stepper motors?
What sort of mechanism lends itself to this the best? I had originally planned on a rack and pinion system for the X and Y, though the possibility of timing belts hasn't been ruled out. How about for the Z? are screws a better choice or would rack and pinion be fine there?
For reference, I'm planning an aluminum gantry in the 5~ish foot range. My current plan is to use v-bearings and rails for the X, Y, and Z travel.
I know the speed a stepper motor runs at is related to the power applied. I also know (assume?) that I want my table to be capable of traveling somewhere in the range of 300ipm maximum in the X and Y directions. Movement in the Z directions will be microscopic. Assuming that I'm correct in this, how to I calculate what sort of gearing ratio do I need? Is there an "ideal" speed range for these stepper motors?
What sort of mechanism lends itself to this the best? I had originally planned on a rack and pinion system for the X and Y, though the possibility of timing belts hasn't been ruled out. How about for the Z? are screws a better choice or would rack and pinion be fine there?
For reference, I'm planning an aluminum gantry in the 5~ish foot range. My current plan is to use v-bearings and rails for the X, Y, and Z travel.