Oops. Here’s the link to my first post from last year where I’d originally started all this: Upgrading to a 6445 - Got a few questions
Pics of my machine are included there.
So, I’d asked at the time what motors to use and never got a good usable model number to order. It took me months of research to figure it out as I was starting from zero knowledge.
I finally figured out what I needed for motor size and model number.
Learned a bunch. But it was VERY SLOW to figure it out on my own. So I’m posting this for others benefit.
In my machine I have NEMA 17 sized motors. See the first post above for pics and model number details.
I chose 2 phase open loop stepper motors and stepper drivers (DM542). I wanted only 4 wires and not have to deal with 6 wires.
I’ve been trying to use my machines stock motors as is with my new Ruida controller but the motors just seem to skip around without proper grab. I think maybe I don’t have the acceleration settings figured out but no idea how to begin to get the right settings. And they run hot even with the drivers on the lowest setting and half power switch engaged.
Perhaps the voltage on the stock ones are only 12v and since I’m running a 24v PSU it’s too much?
So I purchased the docs from the guy who designed his own laser build (Further Fabrication y-1200) and sells the parts list. Based on that I found some good stepperonline motors based on the links in his docs.
https://www.furtherfabrication.com/resources?category=Laser
Then I learned that my laser has .09 degree motors which are supposedly more precise than the much more common 1.8 degree motors available nowadays. So I ended up ordering both to play with.
Didn’t notice that the Y axis motor is actually a dual shaft until this week. 
So did another day of research to find one that would fit and work. Takes a long time to find this stuff!
So I have to wait another week for those to arrive now.
1.8 degree stepper motors I ordered:
Y Axis - Dual shaft stepper online Model 17HS19-1684D
X Axis - Stepper Online Model 17HS19-2004S1
0.9 degree stepper motors I ordered:
Y Axis - Dual Shaft Stepper Online Model 17HM19-1684D
X Axis - Stepper Online Model 17HM19-2004S1
These are much higher rated amperage wise than my stock ones, so they shouldn’t get hot like my current ones. I hope anyway that fixes the overheating issue.
I plan to test out the 1.8 degree first as that is what his docs used and so I can use his settings, then ‘upgrade’ to the 0.9 degree version motors in a month or so and see just how much more detail is derived when doing photo etching. I’ve seen some pics where it was a very noticeable increase in detail.
Thoughts?
Also, here’s the ONLY spec info I could find on my current motors anywhere online.
Stepping Motor Type 17HA704Y-1A1 Smooth TM
They seem to be rated at only 0.6A 7.8v. Pretty low powered it seems.
