Messages

1

Galil / Re: Galil controller compatability (what works with the plugin)

« on: May 02, 2017, 01:42:49 PM »

Eddy,

This question would best be posed to Galil.  There are restrictions on dual loops setups.  For instance, the rotary encoder has to have more counts than the linear scale.  Also, Galil may charge a fee if special firmware is needed.  So talk to their pre-sales support to clarify this stuff.

Steve

Thank you, I will talk to Galil before ordering. I was just wondering if there were any known conflicts with Mach 4 software specific to running a dual loop system.
Good to know about the encoder counts... Thanks!

2

Galil / Re: Galil controller compatability (what works with the plugin)

« on: May 02, 2017, 01:32:41 PM »

Eddy,
I can't answer your specific question and I am at a bit of a loss as to why you would want two types of displacement detection, but I can tell you what I have.
I have linear glass scales for displacement. DC servos with tachos for velocity info. which are fed back directly into the motor controller cards for the D in PID. Then the glass slide outputs are fed into the Galil card for the PI.
So in effect there are two loop closures, velocity closed within the motor controls and displacement closed within the Galil system.
The motors, tachos and motor controllers are from the original setup and the velocity feedback gain was optimized when built, so when using the Galil software to tune the servos I only have to worry about the P and I terms. D is set at zero.
It works OK with Mach3

Thanks, I am pretty sure I can use the rotary encoders as tachometers (as read on other forums). I have heard of doing it the way you have your machine set up, What kind of accuracy are you getting with your system? The difference is with what I want to do, both the motor and linear encoders go to the Galil. Galil has lots of info on this setup, that's what lead me to them.

3

Galil / Re: Galil controller compatability (what works with the plugin)

« on: May 01, 2017, 05:52:51 PM »

I would tend to want to keep that good stuff too!  I know the cost of a newer Galil is an impediment.  Especially if you have a 21x3 at the moment.  But I can promise you that you will be MUCH happier with the 41x3.  It is simply a better controller than the 21x3 for a milling machine motion controller.  It will do the rest of the machine justice. 

Perhaps you can sell the 21x3 and put that towards a 41x3?  Then you could run Mach 4 or Mach 3 and choose the one you like best.  Just keep in mine that if you want to control the spindle from the Galil, you need to get one extra axis on the Galil.  I suggest a 4153 for milling machines if you EVER think you might want to run a rotary 4th axis. 

I have a 4080 on my machine running Mach 4.  It is poetry in motion!  It is a Matsuura that originally had a YASNAC control on it.  One of the I/O boards went out on it and I decided to retrofit it to Mach instead of just buying a replacement board for the YASNAC.  Best decision I every made!  Mach4/Galil blows that YASNAC away!  Now, it took a lot of work and I had to buy a Galil, but the costs were not that much more than buying the replacement board for the YASNAC on the surplus market.  My only regret is the purchase of the 4080 instead of a 4153.  The 4080 is so overkill it isn't even funny. 

Steve

Thanks for all the above commentary, it is very helpful. I am in the process of converting a Bridgeport size mill to CNC. I have brushed DC servos and want to use a "dual loop" setup (linear encoders on the ways and rotary encoders on the motors), for backlash compensation the Galil supports this. That's why I bought my 2240 (eBay) I now realize, If I want this to work as best as possible, I will need to upgrade to a 41x3, I will buy new from Galil, at this point, it will be worth it.

I just want to be sure there are no compatibility issues using dual loop setup on a 41x3 with Mach 4?

Many Thanks.

Eddy

4

Galil / Re: Galil controller compatability (what works with the plugin)

« on: April 04, 2015, 12:11:41 PM »

Hi I am a little confused. I have a 2240 with Ethernet, the manual says it has contour mode. Will it work with the Mach 4 plugin when its released? Or should I just go with Mach 3 & the existing plugin, If so how well would it work?