Design Lead Screw for CNC Machine - 48 Steps, 1mm Per Step

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of a lead screw for a CNC machine, specifically addressing the requirements of a stepper motor with 48 steps per cycle and the desired movement of 1mm per step. Participants explore design considerations, potential optimizations, and software recommendations for creating the lead screw.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates that with 48 steps per revolution and a desired movement of 1mm per step, the pitch of the screw would need to be 48mm, which raises concerns about the size and practicality of such a design.
  • Another participant suggests optimizing the design by considering multiple starts for the screw to reduce diameter or potentially changing the motor, while also raising the issue of backlash with a steep pitch.
  • A different participant questions the large movement per step and proposes a much smaller movement of 0.01mm per step as more suitable for CNC applications.
  • One participant provides a resource link to a catalog for threaded rods, indicating a source for potential materials or components.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of a finer positioning system, recommending a movement closer to 0.0001 inches (approximately 0.0025mm) per step for effective CNC operation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the appropriateness of a 1mm movement per step, with some advocating for a finer resolution while others discuss the feasibility of the proposed design. No consensus is reached on the optimal specifications for the lead screw.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights various assumptions regarding the design requirements, including the implications of screw pitch, potential backlash, and the suitability of stepper motor specifications. There are unresolved considerations regarding the balance between movement precision and mechanical design constraints.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in CNC machine design, mechanical engineering, or those seeking to understand lead screw specifications and optimization strategies may find this discussion relevant.

crazybuoy
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Hello,

I am going to build a CNC machine and for that I need a lead screw. My stepper motor has 48 steps in one cycle. I want to make move 1mm per step and please make a CAD drawing so that I make this screw from mechanical workshop. Also please suggest me the software to build such design.

Thanks in advance
 
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crazybuoy said:
Hello,

I am going to build a CNC machine and for that I need a lead screw. My stepper motor has 48 steps in one cycle. I want to make move 1mm per step and please make a CAD drawing so that I make this screw from mechanical workshop. Also please suggest me the software to build such design.

Thanks in advance
48 steps/rev * 1mm/step = 48mm/rev
So the pitch of the screw should be 48mm.

That's quite big! To what extent do you want to optimize the design? Maybe you can use multiple starts to reduce the diameter, or change the motor. Do you need to worry about backlash? With such a steep pitch it could be an issue.

You may not have to draw the complete screw. If it has a standard thread form you might be able to just specify it's properties. So the drawing may be nothing more than a cylinder with straight lines to show the threaded part. In that case you can use Paint instead of CAD :P

You can analyse it with hand calculations to decide the diameter/material/etc.
 
crazybuoy said:
Hello,

I am going to build a CNC machine and for that I need a lead screw. My stepper motor has 48 steps in one cycle. I want to make move 1mm per step...

Assuming "CNC" refers to a milling machine of some manner, that's an awfully large movement. Are you sure you don't want something closer to 0.01mm per step?
 
You will definitely want your positioning system to be a lot less than 1mm/step. Try something closer to .0001" (.0025 mm) per step and you're in the ballpark for a CNC machine. Keep in mind that stepper motors can move quickly (thousands of rpm), so even with a high gear reduction you won't be limiting your speed very much.
 

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