Machsupport Forum

Third party software and hardware support forums. => HiCON Motion Controller => Topic started by: Vital System Support on March 20, 2012, 02:54:28 PM

Title: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Vital System Support on March 20, 2012, 02:54:28 PM
HiCON Motion controller for Step/Dir Drive Interface is now available.

Feel free to contact us for any questions.

sales _@_ vitalsystem.com  or skype  vital.system


thank you

HiCON Development Team
VITAL System
www.vitalsystem.com (http://www.vitalsystem.com)

Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: 2ferrous on May 08, 2012, 11:06:55 PM
The HiCON is strictly for stepper motors isn't it?
But it does offer encoder feedback to keep track of position.
So shouldn't it also run brush servo's?

Timothy

Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: TOTALLYRC on May 09, 2012, 02:45:52 PM
Hi Tim,
Since it only outputs step and direction for each axis it can only run steppers or servo drives that take step and direction input.

Mike
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: 2ferrous on May 09, 2012, 04:03:19 PM
Ahhhh, so it will run Gecko 320x's then.

Good to know.

Timothy

Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: carlinos on March 09, 2013, 01:05:55 PM
Is the encoder input for closed loop with the servo controller or with Mach3 software?.I have 3 AC servo amplifiers with encoder input and I want work with linear encoders in the 3 axis of my CNC router for backlash correction.

 Thanks.
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Vital System Support on March 10, 2013, 02:27:39 PM
currently there are no PID loops inside HiCON to do closed loop control.  however if you use encoder feedback from motor or glass scale, it is used as the starting point of every move, so if there are any lost steps by the motor, they will be removed when the next move is started.  www.machmotion.com (http://www.machmotion.com) has done many HiCON installations using AC drives in this setup with excellent results.  They also use differential step/dir signals which virtually eliminates any loss of steps.

regards,
Rufi



Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: carlinos on March 10, 2013, 02:59:16 PM
Thank you very much for your reply, Rufi.
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Telco on March 18, 2013, 11:33:38 AM
Hello ,  i have purchased machmotions full lathe kit with 750watt Teco servos & drives , and the hicon controller. if  anyone has recommendations for settings please share any info you may have. I have a rotary encoder running at a 1:1 ratio with the spindle, and the main motor is powered by a 3hp mitsubishi vfd. I have the machine to the point where it will respond to basic g-code commands. I will be checking back frequently throughout the day if you need any more information just let me know. Thanks guys.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Mountainman on July 15, 2013, 04:00:44 PM
currently there are no PID loops inside HiCON to do closed loop control.  however if you use encoder feedback from motor or glass scale, it is used as the starting point of every move, so if there are any lost steps by the motor, they will be removed when the next move is started. 

        Say I was doing a circle and Y axis missed ten steps, it will then correct things during the next quadrant? If the servo went too far, that will not be stopped from happening?
        What if I have to go to X0 Y0, from a rapid of course where lost steps are very likely to occur, and start drilling then move to X1 Y1 for another drilling cycle.  If, during the rapid, the axis didn't move far enough, and it went to X-.005 and Y-.010 will things get corrected before it pecks in the wrong location or not?  Will the next set of holes be drilled in X.995 and Y.990?           
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Vital System Support on July 15, 2013, 06:31:25 PM
Hello sir,

For example if you move the X axis from 0 to 1.00 and it stops at 0.995. If you then move the X axis to 2.00 the controller makes a calculation based on the current position (0.995) to correctly move to the target destination. In that case, the controller will calculate a distance of 1.005 to move in order to get to the next position (2 - 0.995 = 1.005).

Because of this, tiny offsets aren't cumulative.

I hope this answers your question.
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Mountainman on July 15, 2013, 07:04:51 PM
Only question left is whether this "closed loop" will stop a move when the target has been reached? 
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Vital System Support on July 16, 2013, 01:41:05 PM
Hello,

When using encoder feedback, the encoder value is used as a starting point before doing the move. The motion will end once the calculated distance has been passed. Aside from that, the encoder value is continuously checked for max following error. While all this is happening, the Mach3 position DROs show the actual axis position, which is the value from encoder feedback.

-marc
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Mountainman on October 06, 2013, 06:36:36 PM
Can I hit cycle stop in the middle of a program with your Hicon connector and I won't have any problems?  Currently that situation with teh ESS is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.  Having to press feed hold, waiting for motion to stop and only then being able to hit cycle stop.   
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Vital System Support on October 07, 2013, 03:01:44 AM
with hicon, the feed hold is instantaneous.  no delay to empty the motion buffer.  If you hit stop, with or without feedhold, the motion will stop right away, but you will have to do "start from here" from a previous line in gcode so mach3 can regenerate the motion data.

hope this helps

regards
Rufi

Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Mountainman on October 07, 2013, 07:04:09 PM
If I hit stop without first hitting feed hold, will teh Hicon lose communication with MACH? 
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Vital System Support on October 07, 2013, 09:35:20 PM
no.  not at all
Title: Re: HiCON step/dir controller launched
Post by: Mountainman on October 08, 2013, 06:07:34 AM
Sounds like I will be taking that to the bank  ;)