Specifications

20 Gear Drive, Plymouth Ind. Park, Terryville, CT 06786
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] http://www.amci.com
INSTALLING THE SD17063
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Step 3: Installing the Stepper Motor
Outline Drawings
Outline drawings for all of our motors can be found on our website, www.amci.com, in the Document
Download section. They’re available in two formats, AutoCad DWG and high resolution JPG. JPG files can
be viewed in most web browsers. If you do not have internet access contact AMCI and we will fax the infor-
mation to you.
Mounting the Motor
All AMCI motor have flanges on the front of the motor for mounting. This flange also acts as a heatsink, so
motors should be mounted on a large, unpainted metal surface. Mounting a motor in this fashion will allow a
significant amount of heat to be dissipated away from the motor, which will increase the motor’s life by
reducing its operating temperature. If you cannot mount the motor on a large metal surface, you may need to
install a fan to force cooling air over the motor.
Motors should be mounted using the heaviest hardware possible. AMCI motors can produce high torques and
accelerations that may weaken and shear inadequate mounting hardware.
1) The motor case must be grounded for proper operation. This is usually accomplished through its
mounting hardware. If you suspect a problem with your installation, such as mounting the motor
to a painted surface, then run a bonding wire from the motor to a solid earth ground point near it.
Use a minimum #8 gauge stranded wire or 1/2" wire braid as the grounding wire
2) Do not disassemble
any
stepper motor. A significant reduction in motor performance will result.
3) Consult with AMCI before machining motor shafts. AMCI has machining capability that
may allow you to order the motor as a custom product. Damaging a motor by improperly
modifying a motor’s shaft will void its warranty.
Connecting the Load
Care must be exercised when connecting your load to the stepper motor. Even small shaft misalignments can
cause large loading effects on the bearings of the motor and load. The use of a flexible coupler is strongly rec-
ommended whenever possible.
Extending the Motor Cable
The shield of the motor cable is connected to the case of the motor and is usually con-
nected to earth ground at the motor through the motor’s mounting. The shield is also
connected to earth ground at the SD17063. Extending the motor cable will greatly
increase the chances of forming a ground loop between the motor and the SD17063.
Ideally, the motor and SD17063 should use the same ground bus.
Even though it is possible to extend the cable length an additional forty feet, AMCI recommends installing
the SD17063 as close to the motor as possible. This will decrease the chances of forming a ground loop, and
has the added benefit of limiting the amount of power loss in the motor cable. If you must extend the cable,
you should use a cable with twisted pairs 18 AWG or larger and an overall shield. For SM42’s use 14 AWG+
cable. Belden 9554 (eight wire), 9553 (six wire) and 9552 (four wire) meet these specifications for 18 AWG+.
Belden 1070A (eight wire), 1527A (six wire) and 1069A (four wire) meet these specifications for 14 AWG+.
Installing the Motor Cable
1) All of the motor connections are high power, high voltage signals. Cable from the motor can
be installed in conduit along with ac/dc power lines or high power ac/dc I/O. It cannot be
installed in conduit with low power cabling such as cabling from the SD17063 to the
indexer, communication cables, or low power ac/dc I/O lines.
2) If you decide to extend the motor cable, treat the shield as a signal carrying conductor when
installing the motor cable. Do not connect the shield to earth ground at any junction box.