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Help with spindle speed control for Mini Lathe

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kencor1:
I am looking for advice on what hardware and wiring needed  to begin to use spindle speed control on my converted  CNC Mini Lathe.  What boards can anyone suggest, and if you could point me in the direction to find out how to wire the lathe, it does have a variable speed control knob on it.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Tom

jtheath:
Hi Tom,

I just got my Taig microlathe fully converted.  For motor control I am using a C6 Step/Dir conversion as a potentiometer replacement.  The DC output and ground from the C6 provides input in place of two legs of the pot.  I also used a C3 board with optical sensor to close the loop.  Both boards acquired from cnc4pc.com.

The C6 requires a 12V power supply and the C3 a 5V supply.  Grounds should be case isolated.

Hope this helps,   Joe

Peter Homann:

--- Quote from: kencor1 on April 25, 2009, 07:06:10 PM ---I am looking for advice on what hardware and wiring needed  to begin to use spindle speed control on my converted  CNC Mini Lathe.  What boards can anyone suggest, and if you could point me in the direction to find out how to wire the lathe, it does have a variable speed control knob on it.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Tom

--- End quote ---

Hi Tom,

HAve a look at the DigiSpeed range of Speed controllers I make and sell.  The DC-06 uses step and dir control sognals. The DC-03 and DC-02 use PWM. They all have an option for an on-board DC/DC converter so that an additional isolated 12V supply is not needed.

http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

I use a DC-02 on my Taig mill and 7x14 lathe as it has an option for an onboard  potentiometer so it can be used in a manual mode when required as well.


Cheers,


Peter.

simpson36:
I've had trouble with a couple different boards and recently tried out Homann Design's new stuff.

The new PWM version puts out a rock steady control votage from Mach3, something I was unable to get with the other boards. I finally have a nice steady Mach3 controlled spindle speed on my X2. HIGHLY recommended.

CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION!!!   Make absolutely sure to use an ISOLATED speed controller. If you connect non-isolated speed controllers to the variable speed controls in these import machine tools, you get a pop and expensive smoke.

That goes for replacement variable speed drives also like those from Minarik and KB. I fried two Minarik controllers connecting them to CNC4PC boards. And that takes out a lot of other stuff with it when if goes. That is the expensive way to learn about 'isolation'.

Suggestion: leave yourself a way to switch back to manual control while a program is runing. Sometimes you may need to vary the speed during a cut to clear up chattering, etc.

Hood:

--- Quote from: simpson36 on April 26, 2009, 03:11:21 AM ---Suggestion: leave yourself a way to switch back to manual control while a program is runing. Sometimes you may need to vary the speed during a cut to clear up chattering, etc.

--- End quote ---
Not just use SRO or FRO in these situations?
Hood

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