Motorized Grain Mills: Time to show them off!

[g-love]

Looks like the same gear motor I'm using (177rpm 40 in-lbs) except there's a shaft extending out the back of mine. Did you get that from Surplus Center? Got mine quite a while ago. Don't believe they have it anymore.

I have the motor that is the next size down from this (105rpm & 30 in-lbs) because surplus center wasn't selling those any longer when I went to buy one. What size wire are you guys using for the connections between the switch/motor/capacitor? I was planning on 16 ga.

 

[Huaco]

Can Stepper Motors be used successfully in this application?

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Can Stepper Motors be used successfully in this application?

If you put steady voltage on a stepper motor do you get it's 100% duty cycle rpm? If so, and the torque and RPMs are acceptable I'd say yes. I don't think you would want to control one and use the stepping function.

 

[AnOldUR]

What size wire are you guys using for the connections between the switch/motor/capacitor? I was planning on 16 ga.

My cord and all the wires in the box are all 16 gauge.

 

[craigbrew]

Here is mine. I went small and mobile.

 

[Huaco]

If you put steady voltage on a stepper motor do you get it's 100% duty cycle rpm? If so, and the torque and RPMs are acceptable I'd say yes. I don't think you would want to control one and use the stepping function.

No, wasn't considering controlling one... Just mounting it and running a set rpm. I dont know injury about motors... Any experienced motor guru in here?

 

[jeepinjeepin]

No, wasn't considering controlling one... Just mounting it and running a set rpm. I dont know injury about motors... Any experienced motor guru in here?

I'm gonna throw out a WAG and say that I bet you can't run them at a lower voltage for a lesser rpm. Full voltage should be the exact same as a 100% duty cycle and run it at full tilt.

 

[Huaco]

Stepper motors can change speed though, right? They are used on CNC machinery for X-Y table control. Those motors don't always travel full speed when the table is moving... so that leads me to believe the RPM can be varied.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Stepper motors can change speed though, right? They are used on CNC machinery for X-Y table control. Those motors don't always travel full speed when the table is moving... so that leads me to believe the RPM can be varied.

Correct. Kinda. They move in steps. A computer program and interface tells them how far to go and how long it should take it to get there. It's not like putting 9VDC on a 12VDC motor and getting 3/4 speed.

 

[Huaco]

Correct. Kinda. They move in steps. A computer program and interface tells them how far to go and how long it should take it to get there. It's not like putting 9VDC on a 12VDC motor and getting 3/4 speed.

So... they get a signal from a computer (cnc controller) that tells it how many steps to take and how fast those steps need to be? Hmm... I bet there are some Sparky's out there that could make it work. I however, am not one.

 

[cscade]

Here's mine. MM3 with a direct drive surplus gear motor at 180RPM. Efficiency master!

 

[jeepinjeepin]

So... they get a signal from a computer (cnc controller) that tells it how many steps to take and how fast those steps need to be? Hmm... I bet there are some Sparky's out there that could make it work. I however, am not one.

Neither am I. I know a guy (former dance instructors friends husband) that built his own CNC router. Pretty cool. I watched him load and run a program one night without a blank on the table. I wouldn't even know what questions to ask to get started. It is also bloody expensive, especially the screws to run the X-Y axis. It's what he does for a living. I think he sets up cutting lasers.

 

[dcbc]

Looks like the same gear motor I'm using (177rpm 40 in-lbs) except there's a shaft extending out the back of mine. Did you get that from Surplus Center? Got mine quite a while ago. Don't believe they have it anymore.

Yes, but it has been a year or two ago that I bought it.

 

[marcb]

Here's my portable mill ; )

 

[jeepinjeepin]

My what a hopper!

 

[marcb]

My what a hopper!

Interestingly enough, an 18" box did not appear nearly as large when on paper! The base of the hopper holds well over 30 lbs of grain.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Interestingly enough, an 18" box did not appear nearly as large when on paper! The base of the hopper holds well over 30 lbs of grain.

It's 18x18x18 above the chute?!?

 

[marcb]

It's 18x18x18 above the chute?!?

Yep

 

[beaksnbeer]

Damn that is a huge hopper.

 

[beaksnbeer]

My 90 volt dc 1/4 hp@ 150 in lbs of torque 120 rpm hopper is 10 x12 x 18

 

[Huaco]

Where did you acquire your motor and controller?

 

[beaksnbeer]

e-bay 25 for the motor and 40 for the controller.

 

[Huaco]

e-bay 25 for the motor and 40 for the controller.

Any details on what to look for? Is this motor powerful enough to crack through the toughest of grains? I assume so, with such a high torque rating. It just seems low on HP.

Would servo motors work?

 

[beaksnbeer]

Dc motors are higher in torque in a smaller package I have crushed cara-pils and corn without bogging plus it only runs at 120rpm with the geared 90

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Any details on what to look for? Is this motor powerful enough to crack through the toughest of grains? I assume so, with such a high torque rating. It just seems low on HP.

Would servo motors work?

HP is torque per period of time. Low RPMs will drop the HP of a high torque motor.

Diesel engine with 6 monster pistons that maxes at 3000rpm vs tuned up 4 cylinder import that pushes near 10,000. Both could have similar HP numbers but drastically different torque ratings.

 

[beaksnbeer]

Actually "Torque" is twisting force it has no time connotation it's force is always there. HP= Horse Power is measured in the amount ow work over a given time. Electric motors vs. engines is like comparing apples and orange similar "BUT" no the same. The Dart controller converts AC to DC along with a potentiometer to control speed. At the lower rpm of the DC gearmotor I am using I really don't need the the speed control. The gearmotor I was originally going to use was 98 inch lbs of torque at 280rpm which I have found with my mill is to fast, my crush is best between 90-150rpm range based on crush different grains as far as efficiency % goes this was my sweet spot for 80%-85%. Servo motors usually won't have the torque you want look at the gearmotors. I went with DC for the smaller size and the ease to control the speed/rpm with a potentiometer vs. pulleys and belt drives.

 

[marcb]

Grinding 60 lbs of grain for my Pliny clone tomorrow! Go niners!!!

 

[Mighty]

Built this one went with direct drive, no pinch fingers in sheves. Works great.

 

[MaltyHops]

Wow! There are some amazing mill motorizations here.

Here's my little outboard motorboat - at least that's what it reminds me of

More details in my BrewAdelaide forum post - one of the other forum members was able to source DC garage rollerdoor motors that seem to work quite well. The motor turns at 33rpm, bit slow I guess but fast eniugh fo rmy needs.

 

[rangrr4834]