what causes one of my x-axis motors to overheat.

Question #: 13859

Question: what causes one of my x-axis motors to overheat.

Current Solution

What can cause a stepper motor to overheat can be related to a few things. First, it good to know that stepper motors will normally be hot to the touch and you should not worry about this. There is a ton of current running through the coils of a stepper motor, and current will cause heat to build up.

Energy comes in many basic forms: movement, heat and light. Stepper motors don't produce light, so we can rule that out, so you have movement and heat. When the stepper motor is not moving, the current is still trying to make sure the stepper motor is holding its position and since movement is not a factor here, heat will build up.

If the heat worries you, you can keep the cnc machine moving, or turned off. There will still be heat when moving, but not all of the current is being used as heat. You can also consider lowering the allowable current draw using the stepper motor driver's dip switches.

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I learned, too late, that if a sudden loud event causes tinnitus, see an audiologist IMMEDIATELY. They can do something about it if addressed within a day or so.

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WHAT CAUSES RINGING IN YOUR EAR AND HOW CAN YOU STOP IT?
MY MOTORS GET REALLY HOT TO THE TOUCH.
If your motors are hot to the touch, this is normal. Current is being drawn by the motor coils as the motor moves and as the motor stays at a position. If the motor is not using the current in the coils to move (holding it's position), the energy will be translated as heat (rather than motion, sound or light). Even while moving, some of the energy will be lost as heat. Remember that energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

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MY MOTORS GET REALLY HOT TO THE TOUCH.
WHAT MOTORS DOES THE BLACK TOOTH USE?
Nema 23 stepping motors with 100 oz-in rated holding torque and 1/4" shaft.
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WHAT MOTORS DOES THE BLACK TOOTH USE?
WHAT MOTORS DOES THE BLACK TOOTH USE?
Nema 23 stepping motors with 100 oz-in rated holding torque and 1/4" shaft.
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WHAT CAN ADD TO MY BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER MEASURE THE TIME OF USE?
DON'T WANT TO USE MY OWN MOTORS FOR THE REDLEAF CNC COMPUTER SYSTEM.
That shouldn't be a problem. I will need the current rating for the motors. We can subtract the price of the motors. and you can add you own. If you want us to solder the cable to the round connectors and them motor, you would need to send the motors to us.

Let me know and I can send a paypal invoice for the redLeaf without motors.
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DON'T WANT TO USE MY OWN MOTORS FOR THE REDLEAF CNC COMPUTER SYSTEM.
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You can determine if the country is serviceable by:
- selecting the items you want to purchase on the website
- go to the cart (shopping cart top left of any webpage)
- log in, or register
- Enter the address and click on calculate shipping.

The webpage will return the direct rates and whether your area is serviced or not. Feel free to enter any address as long as you are able to receive the package from that address.

The shipping times are determined by the service you select in the shopping cart. If a machine is purchased, we generally have a one week lead time unless otherwise stated in the description of the machine's product page.

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WHAT IS THE SHIPPING COST OF MACHINE TO AUSTRALIA?
WHAT WOULD BE THE COST OF FREIGHT TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA?
You can determine if the country is serviceable by:
- selecting the items you want to purchase on the website
- go to the cart (shopping cart top left of any webpage)
- log in, or register
- Enter the address and click on calculate shipping.

The webpage will return the direct rates and whether your area is serviced or not. Feel free to enter any address as long as you are able to receive the package from that address.

The shipping times are determined by the service you select in the shopping cart. If a machine is purchased, we generally have a one week lead time unless otherwise stated in the description of the machine's product page.

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WHAT WOULD BE THE COST OF FREIGHT TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA?
WHAT IS THE SHIPPING COST TO MY COUNTRY?
You can determine if the country is serviceable by:
- selecting the items you want to purchase on the website
- go to the cart (shopping cart top left of any webpage)
- log in, or register
- Enter the address and click on calculate shipping.

The webpage will return the direct rates and whether your area is serviced or not. Feel free to enter any address as long as you are able to receive the package from that address.

The shipping times are determined by the service you select in the shopping cart. If a machine is purchased, we generally have a one week lead time unless otherwise stated in the description of the machine's product page.

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WHAT IS THE SHIPPING COST TO MY COUNTRY?
WHAT IS THE SHIPPING FEE TO MY COUNTRY?
You can determine if the country is serviceable by:
- selecting the items you want to purchase on the website
- go to the cart (shopping cart top left of any webpage)
- log in, or register
- Enter the address and click on calculate shipping.

The webpage will return the direct rates and whether your area is serviced or not. Feel free to enter any address as long as you are able to receive the package from that address.

The shipping times are determined by the service you select in the shopping cart. If a machine is purchased, we generally have a one week lead time unless otherwise stated in the description of the machine's product page.

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WHAT IS THE SHIPPING FEE TO MY COUNTRY?
MY MOTORS ARE RUNNING VERY HOT.
If your motors are hot to the touch, this is normal. Current is being drawn by the motor coils as the motor moves and as the motor stays at a position. If the motor is not using the current in the coils to move (holding it's position), the energy will be translated as heat (rather than motion, sound or light). Even while moving, some of the energy will be lost as heat. Remember that energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

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MY MOTORS ARE RUNNING VERY HOT.
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Yes, the 651 oz/in motor requires a driver that is compatible to the motors (the motor will draw 6 amps max and the driver paired with this motor will be able to allow for a 6 amp draw). I would also recommend a 36 volt power supply for better high velocity performance.
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I HAVE ONE OF YOUR SMALLER STEPPER MOTORS RUNNING MY X AXIS BRIDGE CRANE AND IF IT IS MOVED TO FAST THE MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE SKIPPING STEPS WILL 651OZ REQUIRE A DIFFERENT POWER SUPPLY CONTROLER?
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Our machines are as follows (in order by size, larger at top):

The Fabricator Pro (although stated on the website at 4'x8') can be provided up to a 6'x12' (or longer) size. Call us for the price above the 4'x8' size.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-fabricator-pro-milling

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4x: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenBull-v4-4X-milling-hybrid
5x: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenBull-v4-5X-milling-hybrid
6x: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenBull-v4-6X-milling-hybrid

The 4'x8' greenLean CNC Router (Table bed is vertically oriented with a slant) fully assembled:
This machine is fully assembled with the overall frame. The customer would need to fasten the frame to the wall and affix a spoilboard to the bed.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenLean-v1-milling

The 4'x8' Vertical Laser XL Laser Cutter and Engraver fully assembled:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-vertical-laser-xl-laser-cutter

The 4'x8' blackFoot CNC Router:
This machine requires a table to be built by the customer.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-blackFoot-v4-milling

The 2'x4' blackToe CNC router fully assembled complete with table:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-blacktoe-v4-2x4-milling

The blueChick CNC Router fully assembled completel with table:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-bluechick-v4-milling
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WHAT IS THE PRICE OF ASSEMBLED MACHINES COMPLETE?
WHAT IS THE PRICE OF ASSEMBLED MACHINES COMPLETE?
Yes, we have fully assembled machines that come complete with the spindle (and laser if needed) with sizes ranging from 1'x2' all the way up to 6'x12' or longer. We can also make custom fully assembled machines with other sizes. All of these machines are perfect for very intricate detailed work including but definitely not limited to sign making, bas relief, cabinetry, architectural model making, engraving, machine parts, automotive, custom sound enclosures (automotive or other), and other scientific application which we have delivered machine for many types of these applications.

Our machines are as follows (in order by size, larger at top):

The Fabricator Pro (although stated on the website at 4'x8') can be provided up to a 6'x12' (or longer) size. Call us for the price above the 4'x8' size.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-fabricator-pro-milling

The greenBull 4x, 5x or 6x CNC Machine is available fully assembled; however, you are responsible for building the table on this machine, but the price is considerably lower. The 4x, 5x, and 6x is a width specification and the length is determined by your table length.
4x: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenBull-v4-4X-milling-hybrid
5x: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenBull-v4-5X-milling-hybrid
6x: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenBull-v4-6X-milling-hybrid

The 4'x8' greenLean CNC Router (Table bed is vertically oriented with a slant) fully assembled:
This machine is fully assembled with the overall frame. The customer would need to fasten the frame to the wall and affix a spoilboard to the bed.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-greenLean-v1-milling

The 4'x8' Vertical Laser XL Laser Cutter and Engraver fully assembled:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-vertical-laser-xl-laser-cutter

The 4'x8' blackFoot CNC Router:
This machine requires a table to be built by the customer.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-blackFoot-v4-milling

The 2'x4' blackToe CNC router fully assembled complete with table:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-blacktoe-v4-2x4-milling

The blueChick CNC Router fully assembled completel with table:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-bluechick-v4-milling
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WHAT IS THE PRICE OF ASSEMBLED MACHINES COMPLETE?
WHAT LENGTH OF CABLE DO I NEED FOR A BLAKCFOOT
The blackfoot requires a total of 50 feet of cable.

The X axis needs 15 feet
The Y axis needs 17 feet
and the Z-axis needs 18 feet

These are 20 gauge 4 conductor cable.

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WHAT LENGTH OF CABLE DO I NEED FOR A BLAKCFOOT
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE BLACK TOE TO FOOT UPGRADE?
The gantry sides, gantry bridge parts, two 1/2" rods, two 1/2" ID bearings, two 1/2" ID 12 tooth sprockets, and extra roller chain.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE BLACK TOE TO FOOT UPGRADE?
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PC with parallel port and USB port
20awg stranded wires for the motors - http://www.buildyourcnc.com/electronicscombo.aspx
18awg stranded wires for power supply to drivers
24awg stranded wires for breakout board to drivers
(location and spacing of components varies from one person to another, so we do not provide cables/wires)
- General purpose extension cord (cut the female end off) to provide power to power supply
- USB cable to power breakout board
- Parallel cable to communicate to breakout board
- Router
- (optional - instead of router) Spindle with power inverter http://www.buildyourcnc.com/SpindlesAndAccessories.aspx
- (if purchasing spindle with inverter) General purpose extension cord (240v) (cut the female end off) to provide power to power inverter
- End Mill(s) http://www.buildyourcnc.com/ProductsEndMills.aspx
- CAD, and/or CAD-CAM software (to produce geometry, machine operations, and g-code) http://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCsoftware.aspx
- CNC control software (to read g-code and control machine) http://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCsoftware.aspx
- If the machine does not have the table included, then a table will need to be built. The rails, chain and chain mounts are included that are used on this table.

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WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAVE A FULLY OPERATIONAL MACHINE?
AND WHAT SIZES ARE THE PACKAGES OF MACHINE.
the package sizes will be listed in your shopping cart, in the item detail. The site will also fully calculate shipping charges directly from the carrier, for each package you purchase.

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AND WHAT SIZES ARE THE PACKAGES OF MACHINE.