Rotary Axis Variations - Belt/Gear vs direct

[ThothLoki]

I have seem a lot of different variations of a rotary axis (or 4th axis) on this site, youtube, google, instructables and thingiverse.

My question is this, for our laser engravers, does it really matter if the rotary is driven by a belt/gear or direct drive from the motor?

Can someone smarter than me explain why you would want to choose one over the other? I can see the idea with belt/gears for possible adding more torque or protecting the motor shaft from getting bent. I don't know if that matters with what I plan on doing. I am not trying to reinvent the wheel (well, maybe I am) but just want to understand WHY.

[mrehmus]

If the object to be engraved is symmetrical around the long axis, the only problem with a direct drive from a stepper would be overcoming inertia. That could be a problem, for example, with the new BCL grayscale capability because they use velocity to change burned density. If one is rotating drinking straws, no problem but if one were rotating a baseball bat, it would probably be a problem. Having a reduction setup to increase torque would almost be mandatory I think. That said, I am not certain you wouldn't need a larger drive circuit matching a larger stepper to rotate the object.

If the object were not symmetrical around the long axis, then a reduction setup would almost certainly be required for more than a drinking straw . . . you get the idea.

[ThothLoki]

I think so.

The largest and heaviest item I am thinking of turning is a wine bottle.
I did make this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1731833
but was thinking of making something like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1156932 but altering it to make a quick disconnect so I could change it out to a lathe chuck setup as well.

Thoughts?

[mrehmus]

I suppose either of those would work but trying to get them exactly to size so the rotation would be accurate will be very difficult and they will be subject to wear. But grabbing a bottle in any other fashion would be problematic I think. The accuracy problem is probably not going to be the issue it would be on a CNC mill. Nobody will notice if the label is off by a few steps.

Gears have a backlash (well, inexpensive setups do), belts do not which is why our lasers are belt-driven. I built my 6: ratio 4th axis with a belt drive for just this reason.

[ThothLoki]

So, let me get this straight just to see if I am picking up what you are putting down:

1. For a "roller" system, it is best to have a belt/gear ratio setup (preferably belt for backlash) to help with torque and inertia.
2. For a "lathe chuck" system, a direct drive (connect the chuck directly to the motor) would be acceptable.

I am not trying to make one intended for a CNC mill or router, just laser.

I am wondering if I should just make a direct drive with lathe chuck with some adjustable-height roller wheel stands for the other side of the bottle

[mrehmus]

I don't think the direct drive will work well with an NEMA 17 motor that can be driven by the typical low-cost laser unit. Most affordable lathe chucks have some run out so probably not a whole lot better set up than the rollers. And the far side of the bottle will have to be supported anyway. The problem with a chuck and roller setup is that the bottle sizes change and unless you want to make a height-adjustable roller for the far end, the bottle surface will not be parallel to the laser travel.

The simplest mechanical setup will be the rollers although you will have to calculate diameters for each different bottle size in any case.

[ThothLoki]

Thanks. Sorry, that was what I meant by the adjustable-height roller stands. That would be my support for the far end.

Honestly, I think I might have about 6-8 designs done before I figure out what I like best and what best works for me. I will just need to get my A5 up and running again so I can start testing 2 at a time.

[mrehmus]

How about supporting the bottle with an air bed? 

[kibodwin]

So, let me get this straight just to see if I am picking up what you are putting down:

1. For a "roller" system, it is best to have a belt/gear ratio setup (preferably belt for backlash) to help with torque and inertia.
2. For a "lathe chuck" system, a direct drive (connect the chuck directly to the motor) would be acceptable.

3. An 'attachment' to the Y axis of the laser so the circular object rolls on the bed, pushed / pulled by the movement of the Y axis?

I plan to laser engrave rolling-pins so think of the handles of the rolling-pin held to the Y axis... I can put up some pictures of what I am trying to explain if it helps.

I have been looking into the whole rotary tool thing and have tried a mix of thingiverse and homebrew ideas. I am probably going to try some sort of 'attachment' that fits on the Y axis (without interfering with the X axis travel of the laser head) where as the Y axis moved front to back it rolls the object back and forwards. 'Stilts' for the whole laser gantry will be needed depending on the size of the object being lasered. I will then try and continue the roller idea with the bits I have already (the roller idea is on hold as I am having difficulty lining it all up and not having the object 'wobble' as it turns).
I have also tried using a normal drill chuck attached to a nema17 motor, this works but the chuck opening is very small.
I hope this makes sense... Apologies if this is off topic.
=)

[ThothLoki]

3. An 'attachment' to the Y axis of the laser so the circular object rolls on the bed, pushed / pulled by the movement of the Y axis?

I plan to laser engrave rolling-pins so think of the handles of the rolling-pin held to the Y axis... I can put up some pictures of what I am trying to explain if it helps.

I have been looking into the whole rotary tool thing and have tried a mix of thingiverse and homebrew ideas. I am probably going to try some sort of 'attachment' that fits on the Y axis (without interfering with the X axis travel of the laser head) where as the Y axis moved front to back it rolls the object back and forwards. 'Stilts' for the whole laser gantry will be needed depending on the size of the object being lasered. I will then try and continue the roller idea with the bits I have already (the roller idea is on hold as I am having difficulty lining it all up and not having the object 'wobble' as it turns).
I have also tried using a normal drill chuck attached to a nema17 motor, this works but the chuck opening is very small.
I hope this makes sense... Apologies if this is off topic.
=)

That makes complete sense and is totally on topic.

Have a look at a Longworth Chuck on Thingiverse.

I plan on making some legs for the engraver that the stock legs sit in instead of having to unscrew them and screw in new ones

[carolynsdad]

Adding to the options for rotary axis I came across this which has to be the simplest idea yet
https://www.facebook.com/wood.turner.5/videos/392548474460466/?fref=gf&dti=593888904123877
And he is using Benbox!  It certainly makes a good job on his pens!

Mike

[ThothLoki]

Oh yes, I remember him. He posted here while he was building it. I have not heard from him in a while but hope he is doing well and selling some of his design

[Ed]

Check what I did. Works great with small round containers

http://benboxlaser.us/index.php/topic,1701.msg21240.html#msg21240

[Peter Fabricius]

Thanks Mike and Thoth,  I have been busy with my primary project making Drop Spindles in the Tom Forrester design and they are selling very well.  The Rotary Pen/Ring Accessory©🇨🇦 Has also been selling well.  Clearly there is a specialty market for this since it appeals mainly to Pen turners that have or are buying a Gantry Style Laser A5 or A3.  I think the A5 with a 2500mW diode is the perfect machine for engraving Pens.
Thanks for observing on my jig....

[ThothLoki]

Check what I did. Works great with small round containers

http://benboxlaser.us/index.php/topic,1701.msg21240.html#msg21240

Yep Ed. Yours is the one that spurred me to get mine up and running.