Machsupport Forum

Third party software and hardware support forums. => NC Pod => Topic started by: banditpowdercoat on August 16, 2007, 11:45:29 AM

Title: PWM to Digital??
Post by: banditpowdercoat on August 16, 2007, 11:45:29 AM

Hi, I am new to the Mach3 and NCPod world, but not overly new to CNC.  Been using TCNC for years now.  Anyways, my spinlde is ON/Off, speed controlled via Pulley ratios.  I was wondering if there was a easy way to convert the PWM output on NC Pod to Digital to operate the relay?  Presently I am using a 5V signal to turn the Spindle on/off.  WOuld be nice to use NC's dedicated Spindle output and keep the others free for other stuff.

Thx in advance
Dan Pesonen
Bandit Powdercoat

Title: Re: PWM to Digital??
Post by: apollonono on August 18, 2007, 11:50:39 AM

PWM can set the A output of NCPOD. However, I do not understand whether I am correct because I have not yet tried it.

Title: Re: PWM to Digital??
Post by: apollonono on August 18, 2007, 11:54:04 AM

The image is hard to be small, but is readable?

Title: Re: PWM to Digital??
Post by: banditpowdercoat on August 18, 2007, 11:57:57 AM

Yes, I know the A output is PWM, I want to make it On or Off, to control my relay.  I do not have spindle speed control, just wat to use the A output for on-off

Title: Re: PWM to Digital??
Post by: apollonono on August 19, 2007, 12:48:55 AM

I use A for PWM and cannot use B,D,E,F for the output?

Title: Re: PWM to Digital??
Post by: banditpowdercoat on August 19, 2007, 12:38:09 PM

I guess I could use another output, but I Dont Want To.

My original question asked if I could turn the PWM output into a regular output.  There is not many outputs avalible on the NC Pod and I dont like wasting things

Title: Re: PWM to Digital??
Post by: apollonono on August 19, 2007, 11:06:06 PM

ncPOD uses inside function of MPU by the function of the port.
Therefore, there is the case that it is difficult to change an assignment.
A and C are PT23.
EDBF is PB4567.
I am similar and am equivalent, and I am posted.
That I assign PWM besides A and C is imagined when I suppose C to be a reservation if the change of the firm ware is necessary.

Title: Re: PWM to Digital??
Post by: drew on October 30, 2007, 01:51:16 AM

If you can send out a 100% PWM that would be the same as a 5v output but you will need to make sure it is only outputing when you want the spindle on. With some speed signles the pulse is outputed even when the spindle is off. I think this can be done if you never command a S speed in g-code or the DRO and write custom macro for M3/M5. Tell Mach3 max spindle speed is 1000 rpm then M3 macro should be 'S1000' and M5 macro 'S0'.  I don't have a pod so this is a guess that it would work. Drew