I am using the stepper motors provided as a set from steppers on line. J2 is supplied as a stepper motor and gear box combo.
I put the robot together using the manual and the instructions matched the J2 motor/gearbox combo exactly. A few days later (I was waiting for some correct length set screws) I returned to finally fit J2 but the instructions appear to have changed? e.g the instructions I have said that the motor/encoder leads should be exit at the bottom of the assembly but now say exit to the left. The detailed instructions/ pictures explaining how to remove and re-attach the gearbox look different? either the motor/gearbox or both have changed?? Is it me ???
Having now looked at the AR3 instructions for J2. These are similar to those that I saw for AR4 before they "changed". I'm sure that the ones I was using were for the AR4 as the new spacing ring was included and the motor had a pre-fitted encoder?
Thanks Chris, I thought that I was going mad.
A while ago I did an interim update on my PLA, AR2 and upgraded to the high precision versions of the stepper motors/gear boxes. Out of interest I tried the AR2 (high precision) in the AR4 J2 and although the gear box looks externally identical to the new AR4 with encoder combo it appears to have less backlash? There do not appear to be any identifying marks on the gearboxes so I wondered if you knew if there are any differences? Once the robot is operational I can do a more representative comparison. Final question, is it possible to just upgrade the gearbox for J2? will the stepper motor shaft be compatible?
@emersok1 the gearbox is about 10mm longer, 1mm larger OD and the motor side flange is flared - other than that they appear the same. The motor wont be compatible you will have to have the specific motor for that gearbox.
I apologize for the confusion. The latest version of the manual version 1.6 includes new information for the new J2 gearbox update. I have put the previous version of the manual version 1.5 back on the downloads page so you can also see the previous version of the manual.