Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: camcut on October 17, 2007, 05:05:25 AM
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Is there a way to run a fourth axis continuous and independently from xyz axis within the Mach environment?
At present I have a large motor running a slow turntable within the xyz envelope but I would like to
replace this with a smaller one and wondered if I could use a stepper motor.
Tom
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If I understand this correctly you need to be using the A axis, you'll need a driver for the stepper and set up the axis in Mach but this is the normal way.
Steve
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Out of curiosity(;-) If you need it to run independant and continuosly why would you want Mach to control it??
And I believe the answer is no, unless you just want to turn it on or off then you could use Mach to trigger a relay to do that for you.
(;-) TP
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Thanks for your comments.
If it was possible to run the turntable with a stepper motor I could use it as if it was a lathe but could also use it for indexing. At present I would have to remove the motor and turntable to fit a rotary table for indexing which would be avoided if there was a way to use a stepper motor. But I guessed it would not be possible.
Tom
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NOW that said never say impossible to this group(;-) let them think about it for a while, you never know what may pop up.
Indexing would not be a problem as an A axis. And you could use the swapaxis() command to swap the spindle over to the A drive if setup to do so.
You could also have multi configurations of mach but to have it all at one time is still pretty much no.(;-)
(;-) TP
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Hi, Tom
One way is to use a DPDT ON ON switch, Run your rot. table step & die wires to the center terminals, Mach3 A axis S/D to one side of the switch and a LM555 oscillator to the other side.
This would allow you to set a cont. speed for your spindle/rot. use and switch back to A axis use.
PM your phone # if in USA / CA, I'll give you a call after 9:00 Eastern tonight.
Thanks, Chip
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Thank you vmax549 and chip for your encouraging posts.
I am from England so phone call is out, but thanks all the same.
As I have no experience in electronic I do have problem to understand unless descriptions are thourough and clear.
This evening I spent reading up about switches and LM555 and I believe I should be able to obtain these within a few days.
I did not build the electronics on my cnc unit but bought a plug and play unit with motors readyl wired, hence I am uncertain about wiring the connections.
I have made a diagram which I hope I will be able to attach. It shows the existing wiring between the z axis motor and the controller.
Would it be possible to indicate which wires goes to which terminals.
Again many thanks Tom
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Hi Tom
How big is the table and motor ?
There are a couple of stepper boards that have the Timer built in.
I need to dig around hear and find the info, Mostly for small steppers, NEMA 23 size motors.
Hears a basic diag.
Thanks, Chip
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Here is a great page on the 555.
It has more that you would ever want to know about the 555. Look at the Astable oscillator calculator.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LM555.html#3
chad
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Hi Chip
The motors are DCNC -57-610-01 (1Nm) and the ball screw size are x axis 880 mm y axis 800mm.
I do not know about the timer and the board.
The information I have on the board is:
2.1 Amp bipolar chopper driver
Step direction type controller
0.4 A up to 2.1amp/phase max bipolar
up to 44v motor voltage
logic TTL compatible 5v
Two different chopper methods
motor current & chopper frequency easily set with trim pots
Hi Chad
Thanks for the link.
For all you not in the know England has a rugby match tonight. It probably is not a big deal in the wide world but it seems to matter big time in the UK.
Tom
Tom