this post was submitted on 10 Jan 2024
71 points (92.8% liked)

3DPrinting

19006 readers
251 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: or !functionalprint@fedia.io

There are CAD communities available at: !cad@lemmy.world or !freecad@lemmy.ml

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe/ may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Why are 3D printers still stuck on stepper motors? Why haven't we transitioned to servo motors with encoder feedback for positioning?

Is it just too cost prohibitive for the consumer-level? We would be able to print a lot faster and more accurately if we had position feedback on the axes. Instead we just rely blindly on the stepper not skipping any steps when we tell it to move, hoping for the best.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Hacksaw@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don't think the sentence you have is entirely accurate.

High cost servo systems (motor, encoder, and driver) are superior to high cost strippers for dynamic positioning. Even that can be tenuous for low torque low speed applications, or nanoscale applications, etc... Certainly for 3 axis table/gantry CNC systems (router, laser, 3d print) for commercial/industrial grade applications servos are superior.

If you're aiming for a hobbyist price point steppers have better dynamic positioning performance than servos. You can build a $300-$1000 3d printer with servos, but especially at the low end, it's not going to be good.

[–] DreadPotato@sopuli.xyz 0 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

But that just highlights the statement/question in my OP, it's just cost prohibitive to use servos as a hobbyist. You will as a hobbyist get a better system with (proper) servos, but not for a reasonable price point.

[–] semperverus@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago

Do you want to have a conversation, or do you want people to agree with you?

Your post is phrased like a question, but your comments feel like the opposite.

[–] Strykker@programming.dev 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If you are buying industrial grade 1000+ dollar servos you are no longer "hobbyist" in the price range that hobby level 3D printers exist steppers are more precise than servos.

[–] DreadPotato@sopuli.xyz 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

in the price range that hobby level 3D printers exist steppers are more precise than servos.

Yes that's exactly what I'm saying...it's the cost that's in the way of the switch, not that steppers are the best solution. They're only the best solution within the price constraints we have as hobbyists.

[–] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

But how do you define "best?" Servos may be functionally better, but if you can't sell your product to consumers because it's so expensive, is it really the best product out there and who exactly is it the best for?

It's like saying Kobe beef makes the best burgers, but if you're trying to feed 10,000 people then wouldn't your typical 80/20 ground beef from Walmart be the best option? I don't think hungry patrons would appreciate paying $100 for a kobe burger over $1 for your standard burger. They just want to eat.

[–] Eranziel@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I don't know why you're getting down voted. You're correct, steppers are used due to cost.