First i want the motor to be hooked up to a ball screw, where it will be driven between two end stop switches. (At 200 to 300rpm roughly. To control the motor, I would use a joystick, and move it back and forth manually, but I would want 3-4 speeds, say 150 rpm, 190 rpm, 240 rpm, 300 rpm. (note, the motor would be acting against 1000, to 1300lbs max)
What kind of motor and driver would be recommended for this application?? Stepper, dc brushless?
what kinds of voltages would I be working with? would there be an Arduino board and or driver for Arduino with these capabilities?? or would I have to go for a more commercial choice.
At what rate do you want to accelerate the motor (with moving mass attached) from 0 to 300 RPM?
Example: Accelerate 1300lbs from 0 to 300 RPM in X seconds.
What is X?
Against in what sense?
Anyway first design carefully the mechanic part, then pick suitable motor and driver. Arduino and joystick are not going to be a challenge when previous steps are done.
What I am trying to do is make some kind of spooler with the motor/ball screw, to guide some heavier wire unto a spool. (Actually not 1300 lbs., more like 100-200 with all the hardware, my mistake, and all of which is riding on a linear bearing assembly.
Acceleration doesn't matter that much for me, if I could get the motor to accelerate in something like 1.5 to 3 secs, that it doesn't annoy me anyway, is all I'm after...
If you are looking at specific speeds for the leadscrew, a selector type switch would make more sense.
Using a joystick would be a hit and miss event to get it in just the right place, even if using a range.
Then perhaps an encoder monitoring the speed for indication of the same, say an LED for each.......or maybe each respective speed indicator LED fed from the same selector segment or maybe an additional switch pole.(2 pole, 5 position)
Yes, Arduino can control any motor you're likely to come across. The key thing to keep in mind; however, is that your Arduino doesn't operate at the same voltage as the sort of motors you're thinking of.
Control signals into an Arduino are between 0-3.3V (less common) or 0-5V (such as the "flagship" board, the Uno R3.
Your task is to get the Arduino to talk to a motor controller that will drive the motors without damaging the Arduino.
The voltages you will be working with are the voltage for the input signal to the Arduino that must remain within spec at all times and the voltage that the motors need.
You will match a motor controller to the motor. In fact, you would be well advised to purchase a motor controller of very good quality that can easily handle the maximum current draw of the motors you're considering, as loads and wear over time can demand more from the motor controller than you initially planned for.
Folks smarter than me here can tell you all the best practices beyond my knowledge, but I like to ballpark about 1.5 * it's stall current as specified in the motor datasheet.
How did you come to those numbers? You should look to gear your motors to do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
As for motor drivers, I can say that I am a very satisfied customer of Dimension Engineering. I have used the Sabertooth 2x60 in a few applications and this driver has never failed me in almost ten years. I don't know if it's what you need (what motors?) https://www.dimensionengineering.com/products/sabertooth2x60
at this point speed I don't think speed is a problem, as I am currently using hydraulic for movement, and it works fine for that particular movement, but am having trouble limiting the zone (which I am looking to do with the end stop switch), and the way it set up it is limiting me in other areas, so going electric is kind of a must.
Hi @hallowed31
Could u post a link on the motors u used, as it may just be what I'm looking for...
I was wrong with these specs, the weight I am actually moving around is 200, which, on bearings might be less for the motors than actually seems, as I'm not looking for speedy acceleration.
I am looking for a suitable geared motor at this point, as that is what I've seen other previous posts that's what the pros recommend
Well, no not exactly because the first ones were the unbranded 12V motors that ship with plastic gearboxes used in Peg Perego ride on kids' toys (the John Deere Turf Tractor, specifically), the next set were whatever 24V motors they use in the electric wheelchair (the brand of which eludes me) and well, actually, I ran 2 * Model MY1016-B motors with electric scooter roller chain drive taken out of a couple of Razor brand youth scooters.
Best I have for you, I'm afraid.
If it's a fixed in position device you're building, check out the Dimension application note on converting a desktop computer ATX power supply for all your power needs. It's pretty easy even if you've never done it before.
A good quality 1000 watt or 1200 watt (go with as big as you can manage in terms of wattage since volts * amps = watts so add up all the amperages at max load * 1.5 bare minimum for overhead and you should be good. Your supply will only ever deliver the amperage demanded of it so going way over what you need is ok. Obviously voltage isn't like that. Too high a voltage over what a device is rated for will let out the magic blue smoke) https://www.dimensionengineering.com/appnotes/atxguide/atxguide.htm
Don't ask me how to figure out the motor size you need though, I don't know how to do that and frankly I guesstimate "ya, that'll do'er" and I've been lucky enough so far.
