I am relatively new to Arduino and thus why I am forwarding my question.
I have a simple application, really basic, where I needed to control a motor (speed and direction). To not invest in sensor etc. I opted to go for an Arduino, bought the Arduino Mega 2560 and a 30Nm stepper motor. Following the stepper motor tutorial I managed to get the job done controlling the stepper motor by programming the speed (rpm) and direction inside the Arduino.
Now, I want to enhance my application. Instead of a Stepper motor I am considering to buy a 1kW Servo motor.
What follows is a link to a servo motor + drive that I was considering:
My question is can I control (speed and direction) of a 1kW servo motor with my Arduino 2560? I saw some examples where small servo motors where controlled by Arduinos by I hardly saw Arduino controlling large Servo motors.
If the question is yes, is there a particular setup of how I can interface the Arduino with the servo drive and simple code where speed in rpm and +/- direction is utilised to control the servo.
The reason you don'v very often see arduinos controlling "large motors" is because they run at different voltages. Your mega 2560 can power anything 5 V DC and below. This motor runs at 240 V AC so you would have to power it somehow other than the arduino, while still having the arduino control it.
I don't know how you would do this or if it is even possible, I'm just telling you what I know. I have never tried to power something from an outlet while having it connect with an arduino, and I live in the US where the power from outlets is ~120 V which is half of what is required for that specific motor.
Hope I helped at least a bit,
eLion101
Edit:
oops, I didn't notice that there was also a drive with the motor, I thought you were asking whether or not the arduino can power the motor and control it by itself.
like Paul says, more information is needed to know if and what the arduino can communicate to the drive and motor.
Let me ask for clarification, please. Are you asking if an Arduino can replace the factory controller? Or are you asking if the Arduino can tell the factory controller what to do?
The Arduino may be able to talk to the controller, but with no more information, who knows?
Based on the model number shown in the Alibaba page, a Google search shows them available in single piece lots on Aliexpess. Examining one of the Aliexpress offerings show a bit more detail:
The first thing I note is that the drive requires either single or three phase AC power at 220 volts. That may or may not be an issue for you. I also see input fusing and a line contacter in the power feed so you'd need additional fusing, a typical US thermal-mag breaker probably is too slow for proper protection. You'll also need a braking resistor for rapid stopping or deceleration. This is all pretty standard on inexpensive, small drives.
The rest of the drive I/O is pretty standard at 24vdc. The speed command is +/-10vdc so to answer your question, no, you cannot control this drive directly with an Arduino.
Could you make it work? Yes, with some relays and analog level shifters. An easy project? Maybe, it all depends on your experience level.
Edit: As MarkT mentioned, the servo is rated at 4Nm. You said your stepper was 30Nm which doesn't pass the smell test, sure you didn't mean 30mNm? What's the frame size?
Paul_KD7HB:
Let me ask for clarification, please. Are you asking if an Arduino can replace the factory controller? Or are you asking if the Arduino can tell the factory controller what to do?
The Arduino may be able to talk to the controller, but with no more information, who knows?
Paul
Hi Paul,
First of all thanks for the help.
Yes, my question is how the Arduino can communicate with the factory controller. I will try to find the manual and post it here.
MarkT:
You need the user manual for the servo controller - can't make a decision without that.
[ BTW its a 4Nm servomotor, you mentioned 30Nm stepper, which is quite a difference. ]
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the help.
I have found the manual and will try to put it up available for you guys as I am very new to these things.
Regarding your question, The stepper had a holding torque of 30Nm i.e. 0 speed. At approx. 600 rpm, the maximum speed my application needs the torque is approx. 6 Nm. Thus approx. 360 W of power.
On the other hand this servo has 4Nm of torque but even at 2500rpm. Therefore I make a reduction, lowering the speed to 600rpm and increase the torque to 16Nm. With regards to power it will be approx. 1kW and I recon that the servo will be much more better in changing directions instantly.
avr_fred:
Based on the model number shown in the Alibaba page, a Google search shows them available in single piece lots on Aliexpess. Examining one of the Aliexpress offerings show a bit more detail:
The first thing I note is that the drive requires either single or three phase AC power at 220 volts. That may or may not be an issue for you. I also see input fusing and a line contacter in the power feed so you'd need additional fusing, a typical US thermal-mag breaker probably is too slow for proper protection. You'll also need a braking resistor for rapid stopping or deceleration. This is all pretty standard on inexpensive, small drives.
The rest of the drive I/O is pretty standard at 24vdc. The speed command is +/-10vdc so to answer your question, no, you cannot control this drive directly with an Arduino.
Could you make it work? Yes, with some relays and analog level shifters. An easy project? Maybe, it all depends on your expe
rience level.
Edit: As MarkT mentioned, the servo is rated at 4Nm. You said your stepper was 30Nm which doesn't pass the smell test, sure you didn't mean 30mNm? What's the frame size?
Hi Avr_Fred,
Well first of all I would like to thank you for your help.
I have found the manual but was unable to upload (as it is too big) but yes the electrical diagrams match the one you have found.
I must say in the field of electronics and these staff I am really a newbie as I more on the mechanical side. So what I had in mind was something simple, and that is why I chose an Arduino.
I do not know if there is something simple for my application. I just want to control speed and direction of 1KW motor and be able to change its direction very fast without compromising torque as I have seen in my stepper motor.
Regarding your question, The stepper had a holding torque of 30Nm i.e. 0 speed. At approx. 600 rpm, the maximum speed my application needs the torque is approx. 6 Nm. Thus approx. 360 W of power.
On the other hand this servo has 4Nm of torque but even at 2500rpm. Therefore I make a reduction, lowering the speed to 600rpm and increase the torque to 16Nm. With regards to power it will be approx. 1kW and I recon that the servo will be much more better in changing directions instantly.
