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I have a stepper motor that is 42x42x60mm (width, length, height) and has a shaft in the front and back of the motor. This thing has finally given out and won't rotate even when powered down. But I cannot find a motor like this anywhere and this is on a $1000 3d printer.

So I am wondering could I replace this motor with 2 steppers back-to-back? I have to keep the stepper driver the same so is there a way to tie two motors into the same driver, like just by connecting the lines of the two motors? One major problem I forsee is that 2 steppers back-to-back will oppose each other for cw and ccw rotations.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ won't rotate even when powered down maybe the bearings could be replaced \$\endgroup\$
    – jsotola
    Commented Dec 7, 2021 at 17:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ Are you sure? Quick search found some options NEMA17 (ie 42mm x 42mm) and 60mm and dual shaft, in first page of Google results. Obv there are many motor specs to check, but I suspect the effort of getting a replacement part is less than reinventing. It's not that unusual a size. \$\endgroup\$
    – Pete W
    Commented Dec 7, 2021 at 21:10
  • \$\begingroup\$ Also if you run two steppers in parallel it would pull more current, all things being equal, possibly affecting driver performance if it's designed to squeeze out a lot of performance. \$\endgroup\$
    – Pete W
    Commented Dec 7, 2021 at 21:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ There are plenty of dual shaft stepper motors, the price is around 50 bucks for such. Question is, what is mounted on the other end, or why do you need a dual shaft? \$\endgroup\$
    – Marko Buršič
    Commented Dec 7, 2021 at 21:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ SF2424-10B11 see the price on Mouser. Extra you need a connecting cable /w connector 4835775-1 or DIY a connector with cable. \$\endgroup\$
    – Marko Buršič
    Commented Dec 7, 2021 at 22:02

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Put a shaft between two bearings with a gear and drive the gear from a new motor.

Make sure that the output matches the travel needed so the gearing may need to increase or decrease the motor output.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ This is an excellent idea, but I would much rather use 2 steppers if possible. It wouldn't require me to make new brackets among other changes. But if my question is not possible, this idea might save my printer \$\endgroup\$
    – Feynman137
    Commented Dec 7, 2021 at 17:11

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