On Monday, May 21, 2012 05:20:52 AM Rafael Skodlar did opine: > On 05/20/2012 12:12 PM, Dave wrote: > > On 5/20/2012 12:40 PM, Rafael Skodlar wrote: > >> I wonder what kind of power and data cables would you recommend for > >> use in X-Y-Z CNC about 1.2mx1m size? Besides power, it's not clear > >> to me how many data lines for sensors, encoders, motor control, etc. > >> are needed in general. > >> > >> Is it preferable to carry power and handful of control signals to the > >> circuit on the gantry and preprocess some functions there or have > >> everything wired into the central box? That would dictate the number > >> of wires in the cable needed and what kind you need to buy. > >> > >> Would cable carrier from McMaster-Carr # 55835K432 be sufficient? > >> > >> Thanks, > > > > Figure out what cables you need to move back and forth and then choose > > the carrier. Jamming cables into a cable carrier is not a good idea. > > I'm well familiar with flexing and shielding issues in general since > early HP plotter days. I was hoping to get a simple answer based on real > life experience, get this or that cable with x number of shielded and > stranded or twisted wires ;-) That's why I mentioned size as that would > give one an idea of motor sizes and other requirements. > > Is it better to have one cable with x number of wires to take care of > all needs or a number of smaller cables (y) with x/y wires? > > > If you don't do some figuring before you know what you are going to > > carry, you will either have too much, or not enough space. Guessing > > usually doesn't work out nearly as well. > > Agree, and that's why I tried to see what others are doing on this issue > as it seem to be poorly documented in general. I try to capture this > from numerous pictures but wires seem to generate little interest in > general. > > > As an alternative supplier; Igus sells direct in the US. > > http://www.igus.com/default.asp?c=us&L=en > > > > Dave > > Links are always encouraging. However, I'm still struggling with the > variety of cables mentioned on Igus site: data cable, bus cable, servo > cable, control cable. Lots of homework ahead I guess, and that's before > the experiment can begin. > > Thanks guys,
I use separate cables, with my smaller machines the biggest motors are 425 oz nema 23's. Clark Wire & Cable in Chicago imports a lookalike of Belden's Star-Quad cable, intended for very low noise microphone wiring, in 24 gage, its 4 wires twisted, with a 98% shield braided on top of that. I used it in 1000' spools at the tv station. Several of them. <http://www.clarkwire.com/cableMINK4.htm> Ultra flexible, fairly limp, 50 feet or so in 25' pieces has followed me home over the years. I use it for all the 4 wire motors, and as encoder to C1G, but ran out and had to use some 4 wire shack ribbon for the lathes spindle control. But I don't have any of it in cable trackage. Despite that I haven't damaged any of it, ever. And 24 gage seems to be plenty, with one motor wired bipolar parallel at 4.2 amps working just fine on about 5 feet of it. It seems to hold up well, Vactra and Sunflower oil or ACE cutting oil have not seemed to have effected the jacket yet and some it it has been in service for almost a decade. Susan may have some in a heavier gage for higher current usages if you call & ask. That cable, and her 7559 video cable I've used several miles of are the best cables I have dealt with as a BC engineer, far less 'fixing' required over time even when being drug around on the studios concrete floor for years. Cheers, Gene -- "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order." -Ed Howdershelt (Author) My web page: <http://coyoteden.dyndns-free.com:85/gene> If you explain so clearly that nobody can misunderstand, somebody will. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Live Security Virtual Conference Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
