So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards. I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something?
On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards.
> I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got
> x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis
> stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something?
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
Yes. So what I did was just turn everything off and unplugged power and usb cord. Waited awhile and turned everything back on. Now everything works. I continued adjusting down again very slowly. This time I was just hearing for less noise for each counter clockwise twist. I'll keep the machine on for awhile to see if the motors heat up like before while idle. I was going crazy with those pots earlier by trying to go as far down as possible and then working my way up. Wrong strategy. In fact there is no end nudge or high nudge to those small screws. I can just keep turning them forever. Or maybe I just broke it?
________________________________ From: Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com> To: ultimaker@googlegroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 2:08 PM Subject: Re: Adjusting Pots causing problems
I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the current back up?
On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards. I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something?
-- >You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group. > >There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: >http://forum.ultimaker.com/ > >If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >For more options, visit this group at >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en > >For information about the Ultimaker, visit: http://Ultimaker.com
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group.
There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: http://forum.ultimaker.com/
If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the
> current back up?
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards.
>> I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got
>> x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis
>> stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something?
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Ultimaker" group.
>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
>> Ultimaker operators:
>> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
>> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
>> For more options, visit this group at
>> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> The pots are delicate, you should only adjust them when everything is
> disconnected... [USB and power]
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com>wrote:
>> I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the
>> current back up?
>> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper
>>> boards. I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so
>>> hot. I got x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y
>>> and z axis stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized
>>> something?
>>> --
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Ultimaker" group.
>>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
>>> Ultimaker operators:
>>> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
>>> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>>> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
>> --
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Ultimaker" group.
>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
>> Ultimaker operators:
>> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
>> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
>> For more options, visit this group at
>> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Joris [van Tubergen] < > rooiejo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> The pots are delicate, you should only adjust them when everything is >> disconnected... [USB and power]
>> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com >> > wrote:
>>> I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the >>> current back up?
>>> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>> So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper >>>> boards. I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so >>>> hot. I got x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y >>>> and z axis stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized >>>> something?
>>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "Ultimaker" group.
>>>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for >>>> Ultimaker operators: >>>> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>>>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to >>>> ultimaker@googlegroups.com >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
>>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "Ultimaker" group.
>>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for >>> Ultimaker operators: >>> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to >>> ultimaker@googlegroups.com >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Ultimaker" group.
>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for >> Ultimaker operators: >> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to >> ultimaker@googlegroups.com >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
Yeah, that did strike me as colder than I imagined them being. I don't
remember now if my steppers had been on for a while or not when I took
those images. They probably hadn't.
At any rate, I guess my point was for the original poster: why do you want
to reduce stepper temp? Are they actually too hot? Too low of stepper
current can be a real problem.
>> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Joris [van Tubergen] <
>> rooiejo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> The pots are delicate, you should only adjust them when everything is
>>> disconnected... [USB and power]
>>> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Taylor Alexander <
>>> tlalexan...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the
>>>> current back up?
>>>> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>> So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper
>>>>> boards. I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so
>>>>> hot. I got x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y
>>>>> and z axis stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized
>>>>> something?
>>>>> --
>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>>>> Groups "Ultimaker" group.
>>>>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
>>>>> Ultimaker operators:
>>>>> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>>>>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
>>>>> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>>>>> ultimaker+unsubscribe@**googlegroups.com<ultimaker%2Bunsubscribe@googlegrou ps.com>
>>>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>>>> http://groups.google.com/**group/ultimaker?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en>
>>>> --
>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>>> Groups "Ultimaker" group.
>>>> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
>>>> Ultimaker operators:
>>>> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
>>>> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
>>>> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>>>> ultimaker+unsubscribe@**googlegroups.com<ultimaker%2Bunsubscribe@googlegrou ps.com>
>>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>>> http://groups.google.com/**group/ultimaker?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en>
>> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
I would say seemingly too hot. My hand never got burned but it wasn't just warm. Plus, I don't see why they should be hot during idle.
________________________________ From: Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com> To: ultimaker@googlegroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 3:14 PM Subject: Re: Adjusting Pots causing problems
Yeah, that did strike me as colder than I imagined them being. I don't remember now if my steppers had been on for a while or not when I took those images. They probably hadn't.
At any rate, I guess my point was for the original poster: why do you want to reduce stepper temp? Are they actually too hot? Too low of stepper current can be a real problem.
On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM, Daid <daid...@gmail.com> wrote:
That's cold. Steppers have no problem with running at 60C
>On Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:59:16 PM UTC+2, Taylor wrote: >Well, I adjusted them with power on so I could monitor the voltage setpoint while I did it. But yes, care should be taken, I imagine.
>>On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Joris [van Tubergen] <rooiejo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>The pots are delicate, you should only adjust them when everything is disconnected... [USB and power]
>>>On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the current back up?
>>>>On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards. I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something?
-- >>>>>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group. >>>>> >>>>>There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: >>>>>http://forum.ultimaker.com/ >>>>> >>>>>If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com >>>>>To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >>>>>For more options, visit this group at >>>>>http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en >>>>> >>>>>For information about the Ultimaker, visit: http://Ultimaker.com
>>>>-- >>>>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group. >>>> >>>>There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: >>>>http://forum.ultimaker.com/ >>>> >>>>If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com >>>>To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >>>>For more options, visit this group at >>>>http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en >>>> >>>>For information about the Ultimaker, visit: http://Ultimaker.com
-- >>>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group. >>> >>>There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: >>>http://forum.ultimaker.com/ >>> >>>If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com >>>To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >>>For more options, visit this group at >>>http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en >>> >>>For information about the Ultimaker, visit: http://Ultimaker.com
-- >You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group. > >There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: >http://forum.ultimaker.com/ > >If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com >For more options, visit this group at >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en > >For information about the Ultimaker, visit: http://Ultimaker.com
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group.
There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: http://forum.ultimaker.com/
If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
Well, 60 degrees C is quite hot to the touch, but I believe Daid when he
says the steppers are fine at that temp - that's not very hot for things
like motors.
The steppers will definitely be hot at idle if they are on. They have the
same amount of power running through them all the time whether they're
moving or not, unless they're turned off. They have to keep current flowing
to hold their position, its just how they work.
If you weren't seeing any problems and they weren't so hot that they'd burn
you, I'd leave them how they were. They're supposed to be that way.
On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 5:11 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I would say seemingly too hot. My hand never got burned but it wasn't
> just warm. Plus, I don't see why they should be hot during idle.
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com>
> *To:* ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> *Sent:* Thursday, May 10, 2012 3:14 PM
> *Subject:* Re: Adjusting Pots causing problems
> Yeah, that did strike me as colder than I imagined them being. I don't
> remember now if my steppers had been on for a while or not when I took
> those images. They probably hadn't.
> At any rate, I guess my point was for the original poster: why do you want
> to reduce stepper temp? Are they actually too hot? Too low of stepper
> current can be a real problem.
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM, Daid <daid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That's cold. Steppers have no problem with running at 60C
> On Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:59:16 PM UTC+2, Taylor wrote:
> Well, I adjusted them with power on so I could monitor the voltage
> setpoint while I did it. But yes, care should be taken, I imagine.
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Joris [van Tubergen] <
> rooiejo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The pots are delicate, you should only adjust them when everything is
> disconnected... [USB and power]
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com>wrote:
> I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the
> current back up?
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards.
> I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got
> x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis
> stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something?
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> Well, 60 degrees C is quite hot to the touch, but I believe Daid when he
> says the steppers are fine at that temp - that's not very hot for things
> like motors.
> The steppers will definitely be hot at idle if they are on. They have the
> same amount of power running through them all the time whether they're
> moving or not, unless they're turned off. They have to keep current flowing
> to hold their position, its just how they work.
> If you weren't seeing any problems and they weren't so hot that they'd burn
> you, I'd leave them how they were. They're supposed to be that way.
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 5:11 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > I would say seemingly too hot. My hand never got burned but it wasn't
> > just warm. Plus, I don't see why they should be hot during idle.
> > ------------------------------
> > *From:* Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com>
> > *To:* ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> > *Sent:* Thursday, May 10, 2012 3:14 PM
> > Yeah, that did strike me as colder than I imagined them being. I don't
> > remember now if my steppers had been on for a while or not when I took
> > those images. They probably hadn't.
> > At any rate, I guess my point was for the original poster: why do you want
> > to reduce stepper temp? Are they actually too hot? Too low of stepper
> > current can be a real problem.
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM, Daid <daid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > That's cold. Steppers have no problem with running at 60C
> > On Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:59:16 PM UTC+2, Taylor wrote:
> > Well, I adjusted them with power on so I could monitor the voltage
> > setpoint while I did it. But yes, care should be taken, I imagine.
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Joris [van Tubergen] <
> > rooiejo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > The pots are delicate, you should only adjust them when everything is
> > disconnected... [USB and power]
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com>wrote:
> > I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the
> > current back up?
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards.
> > I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got
> > x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis
> > stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something?
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> > Ultimaker operators:
> >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> > Ultimaker operators:
> >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> > ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> > Ultimaker operators:
> >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> > ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> > Ultimaker operators:
> >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> > ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
Since adjusting them they're not getting hot anymore at idle and they're holding position. I can't even hand push the axis to any position when the machine is on. With my two Cupcakes, I've turned down the steppers down to reduce noise. It also reduces heat. The issue of heat affecting performance have been raised in the Makerbot group for awhile. People have even added fans to cool their motors. However, the advice of just turning down the pots proved to be a more practical fix.
________________________________ From: Jetguy <barrych...@hotmail.com> To: Ultimaker <ultimaker@googlegroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 8:55 PM Subject: Re: Adjusting Pots causing problems
Agreed, a stepper will actually be hotter ar idle when holding (AKA locked) than in motion. That's just how they work.
On May 10, 8:15 pm, Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, 60 degrees C is quite hot to the touch, but I believe Daid when he > says the steppers are fine at that temp - that's not very hot for things > like motors.
> The steppers will definitely be hot at idle if they are on. They have the > same amount of power running through them all the time whether they're > moving or not, unless they're turned off. They have to keep current flowing > to hold their position, its just how they work.
> If you weren't seeing any problems and they weren't so hot that they'd burn > you, I'd leave them how they were. They're supposed to be that way.
> On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 5:11 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > I would say seemingly too hot. My hand never got burned but it wasn't > > just warm. Plus, I don't see why they should be hot during idle.
> > ------------------------------ > > *From:* Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com> > > *To:* ultimaker@googlegroups.com > > *Sent:* Thursday, May 10, 2012 3:14 PM
> > Yeah, that did strike me as colder than I imagined them being. I don't > > remember now if my steppers had been on for a while or not when I took > > those images. They probably hadn't.
> > At any rate, I guess my point was for the original poster: why do you want > > to reduce stepper temp? Are they actually too hot? Too low of stepper > > current can be a real problem.
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM, Daid <daid...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > That's cold. Steppers have no problem with running at 60C
> > On Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:59:16 PM UTC+2, Taylor wrote:
> > Well, I adjusted them with power on so I could monitor the voltage > > setpoint while I did it. But yes, care should be taken, I imagine.
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Joris [van Tubergen] < > > rooiejo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > The pots are delicate, you should only adjust them when everything is > > disconnected... [USB and power]
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Taylor Alexander <tlalexan...@gmail.com>wrote:
> > I assume you mean that it stopped working even after you turned the > > current back up?
> > On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 1:37 PM, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > So I started adjusting the pots for my xyz axises on the stepper boards. > > I wanted to bring the current down so the motors wouldn't be so hot. I got > > x to go down low enough for it to still work. However, the y and z axis > > stopped working. Did I short it or did I somehow demagnetized something? > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for > > Ultimaker operators: > >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for > > Ultimaker operators: > >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > If you still want to post to this group, send email to > > ultimaker@googlegroups.com > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com > > For more options, visit this group at > >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for > > Ultimaker operators: > >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > If you still want to post to this group, send email to > > ultimaker@googlegroups.com > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com > > For more options, visit this group at > >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "Ultimaker" group.
> > There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for > > Ultimaker operators: > >http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> > If you still want to post to this group, send email to > > ultimaker@googlegroups.com > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com > > For more options, visit this group at > >http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ultimaker" group.
There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for Ultimaker operators: http://forum.ultimaker.com/
If you still want to post to this group, send email to ultimaker@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
I wouldn't recommend that anyone follow this advice as it will compromise the performance of the machine. Stepper motors are designed to run hot because they are not 100% efficient at converting electric current to magnetic force so will waste some energy as heat when running optimally.
If you turn down the current, the coils will not be producing the field they are specified for and you will start to experience inaccurate motion under acceleration. A properly tuned machine will feel very rigid whilst operating and will sound more musical. Detuning your steppers will lead to a sloppier movement and degraded surface finish.
Terry
On 11 May 2012, at 06:43, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I've turned down the steppers down to reduce noise. It also reduces heat. The issue of heat affecting performance have been raised in the Makerbot group for awhile. People have even added fans to cool their motors. However, the advice of just turning down the pots proved to be a more practical fix.
Yeah, agreed. Steppers are supposed to be hot. I don't know what issue the
Makerbots had but there could have been a design flaw that was only
aggravated by the heat. The Ultimaker works great with hot steppers. Of
course you can't hand-push the axes when the steppers are engaged, they'd
be turned down waaaaaay too low if you could. If you turn down the current,
it may appear to print fine, but eventually you'll run into issues with
missed steps. It won't necessarily happen immediately, but it likely will
eventually and it will be very frustrating.
If steppers are constantly above a certain temperature they will be
damaged, but I believe that temperature is well above what would burn you,
so a decent rule of thumb would be - if they're not burning you, they're
fine.
On Fri, May 11, 2012 at 12:57 PM, Terry Cox <te...@meta-concepts.com> wrote:
> I wouldn't recommend that anyone follow this advice as it will compromise
> the performance of the machine. Stepper motors are designed to run hot
> because they are not 100% efficient at converting electric current to
> magnetic force so will waste some energy as heat when running optimally.
> If you turn down the current, the coils will not be producing the field
> they are specified for and you will start to experience inaccurate motion
> under acceleration. A properly tuned machine will feel very rigid whilst
> operating and will sound more musical. Detuning your steppers will lead to
> a sloppier movement and degraded surface finish.
> Terry
> On 11 May 2012, at 06:43, Zip Zap <zzap...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I've turned down the steppers down to reduce noise. It also reduces
> heat. The issue of heat affecting performance have been raised in the
> Makerbot group for awhile. People have even added fans to cool their
> motors. However, the advice of just turning down the pots proved to be a
> more practical fix.
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
> If steppers are constantly above a certain temperature they will be
> damaged, but I believe that temperature is well above what would burn
> you, so a decent rule of thumb would be - if they're not burning you,
> they're fine.
The standard steppers included in the Ultimaker kit are rated to run at
80C at full current, which you could cook a steak on. A small fan will
bring the temperature down near room temp in a few minutes, but doesn't
affect performance.
Generally speaking, you shouldn't be touching stepper motors when they
are energised because that puts you way too close to potentially
interfacing fingers and moving parts.
On Fri, May 11, 2012 at 1:44 PM, Terry Cox <te...@meta-concepts.com> wrote:
> > If steppers are constantly above a certain temperature they will be
> > damaged, but I believe that temperature is well above what would burn
> > you, so a decent rule of thumb would be - if they're not burning you,
> > they're fine.
> The standard steppers included in the Ultimaker kit are rated to run at
> 80C at full current, which you could cook a steak on. A small fan will
> bring the temperature down near room temp in a few minutes, but doesn't
> affect performance.
> Generally speaking, you shouldn't be touching stepper motors when they
> are energised because that puts you way too close to potentially
> interfacing fingers and moving parts.
> Terry
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ultimaker" group.
> There are also forums, which are the official gathering place for
> Ultimaker operators:
> http://forum.ultimaker.com/
> If you still want to post to this group, send email to
> ultimaker@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ultimaker+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ultimaker?hl=en
