Do I need drives for my motors?

Yes, MASSO interfaces with both stepper and servo motors using STEP/PULSE and DIRECTION signalling, which requires compatible motor drives.

I have 2 motors on my Y axis, will it work with MASSO?

Yes, MASSO supports both hardware and software axis slaving, allowing multiple motors to be used on a single axis.

For more information, see the slaving options here: https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-and-setup/setup-and-calibration/slave-axis

I have a NEMA 23 or NEMA 34 motor. Will it work with MASSO?

NEMA only defines the motor mounting standard.

MASSO does not interface directly with motors. The motor connects to the drive, and the drive connects to MASSO. If your stepper or servo drive uses STEP/PULSE and DIRECTION signalling, it will work with MASSO.

Will a particular drive work with MASSO?

If your motor drive is designed to operate using STEP/PULSE and DIRECTION signals, it will work with MASSO.

If you have an older drive that uses analogue or PWM signals, it will not be compatible. In some cases, you may be able to replace the drive with a modern STEP/PULSE and DIRECTION drive while continuing to use your existing motor.

Always consult the drive manufacturer’s documentation to confirm signal requirements.

How do I wire my motor drives?

It is not practical to provide wiring diagrams for every drive. However, there are only two basic connection methods:

• Differential signalling

• Common ground signalling

Example drive wiring diagrams are available in the MASSO documentation: https://docs.masso.com.au/wiring-and-setup/setup-and-calibration/axis-servo-stepper-examples

I want to use servos with MASSO. How do I connect the motor encoders?

When using servo motors, the encoder connects directly to the servo drive, not to MASSO.

The servo drive monitors motor position and sends an alarm signal to MASSO if a position error occurs. The drive itself is connected to MASSO using STEP/PULSE and DIRECTION signals. There is no requirement or option to connect motor encoders directly to MASSO.

What size motors do I need for my machine?

Motor sizing depends on several factors, including:

• Machine type

• Required maximum speed

• Axis load and mass

Motor selection is outside the scope of the CNC controller. You should consult a qualified engineer or machine design specialist to determine the correct motor size for your application.

What motors and drives do you recommend?

MASSO does not recommend specific third-party motors or drives.

However, MASSO supplies closed-loop stepper motors in the following sizes:

• 2 Nm

• 3 Nm

Is EtherCAT supported?

No, MASSO does not include an EtherCAT-compatible Ethernet interface and does not support the EtherCAT communication protocol.

MASSO supports STEP/PULSE and DIRECTION signalling only for stepper motors and servos.