Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: 4lowie on May 23, 2015, 08:37:31 AM

Title: A axis as spindle
Post by: 4lowie on May 23, 2015, 08:37:31 AM
Hi all,
I know this has probably been covered but I can't find what I need to make it work...... My cnc quilting machine only uses x and y axis and I want to use another stepper as a spindle motor so I've wired this to axis a. I've tried all sorts of settings but can't get it to work....

Can someone please talk me through the basic setups for this a axis as a spindle, drive is gecko g540.

Many thanks.
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: BR549 on May 23, 2015, 09:59:47 AM
You would simply set it up as a step direction spindle.

(;-) TP
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: ger21 on May 23, 2015, 10:29:00 AM
In ports and pins, set it up as a spindle, and not the a axis.
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: 4lowie on May 23, 2015, 08:41:47 PM
Thanks guys
Pretty sure I understand what is required it's just the settings to configure this that I can't work out.....

Tried all sorts of setting but can't get it to work, so obviously I'm doing something wrong. That's why I've come to the experts!!!

Cheers
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: ger21 on May 23, 2015, 10:24:41 PM
What settings are you using?
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: 4lowie on May 24, 2015, 01:07:08 AM
Tried all sorts of settings, so I'm looking for a starting point from you guys.....

Cheers
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: RICH on May 24, 2015, 06:13:53 AM
Stepper is a bad choice for use as a spindle as the rpm will never be linear also as the stepper rpm goes up the torque goes down
thus no power at higher spindle speeds. Indexing fine but then configure A as rotary, but linear you need to put distance based on diameter if I recall. It been a long time since I played that stuff.

FWIW,
RICH
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: 4lowie on May 24, 2015, 07:04:37 AM
Thanks, for my application I'm not to worried about power as it will still have more torque than the 70w motor the sewing machine comes with.... Will play around with gearing so the motor is in a good part of the torque curve.

The main thing I'm looking for is being able to dial in a constant motor speed as this determines the stitch length.

This is what I'm up to..... (First proto type)

http://youtu.be/SYEOgvNDK8E
Title: Re: A axis as spindle
Post by: BR549 on May 24, 2015, 12:22:06 PM
Try setting the motor as a step direction spindle then set the steps per to 200 X(microstep of the driver) Look in config , port pins , spindle setup. Then goto motor tuning.

(;-) TP