4th axis with shapeoko?

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JakeEhrlich
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2022 9:22 am

4th axis with shapeoko?

Post by JakeEhrlich » Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:53 am

I was wondering 1) if it's possible to setup a shapeoko with the build boticscnc controller and 2) if there would still be room to add another stepper for a 4th axis. The shapeoko has two steppers on the Y axis instead of just 1 and I was wondering if there was some way to wire those together or if the boticscnc had a 5-th stepper port. I wasn't able to find docs about how to handle the case where you need two steppers to move in tandem but it seemed like it was surely doable, I was just worried that it might not leave room for a 4th axis.

If anyone knows the answer I'd love know it too. Thanks!

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Doug
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 4:56 pm

Re: 4th axis with shapeoko?

Post by Doug » Sat Mar 04, 2023 11:36 am

The Buildbotics Controller can be configured for your shapeoko.

The second motor on your y axis can be served in two ways:
  • You can attach that motor to the fourth motor port on the controller and then assign that port as a slave to the other port.
  • You can wire two motors in parallel. They should be of the same make and model and the sum of the required current cannot exceed 6 amps.
The second option will leave the fourth motor port unsused and available for a fourth independent axis.

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