Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / C10 bob and a chinese spindle.

« on: January 24, 2016, 07:26:28 AM »

I have spent the last two hours looking for someone with what must be a pretty common scenario.....

I have a C10 break out board and am trying to wire up my Chinese ebay 2.2kw spindle and controller.

In the default manual control via the spindle controller key pad, everything works.

My problem seems to be around the wiring/mach 3 config.

Let me start with one simple question to validate/invalidate my basic premise:   Is it valid to wire and configure an output pin (14 in my case) direct to the VI pin on the speed controller and expect it to control the spindle speed?  Lets assume I have the PIDs all set right....for now.

Thanks in advance.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Huyanyang VFD plugin

« on: January 24, 2016, 06:29:10 AM »

Did you succeed?  I have a similar setup. and having problems with making the motor run.  I have seen reference to the Gecko g540 and the dedicated PWM terminal.   I have a C10 board that has no special pwm pin.  I'm wundering if that is my issue.

sbr.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Some Advice please on new Spindle Motor and VFD

« on: January 24, 2016, 06:20:25 AM »

Bugalugs.....Did you go with this spindle and how did it work out if you did?

I have one similar and am  not having success with it.  My fault for sure.

Thanks.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Smooth Stepper and your favorite breakout board...your opinions please.

« on: January 18, 2015, 10:56:11 AM »

Jeff,

  Thanks for your input.  I purchased an ESS and have it up and running.  It went super smooth.  Assuming you are associated with Soigeneris I'd like to say thank you for the site and documentation.  Shipping the board was very quick.

SBR

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: The 64bit decision...I'd like to hear your opinion

« on: January 18, 2015, 10:48:44 AM »

So getting back to my original query....the 64bit decision...I thought I would give you an update as to what I have done and how it is working out.

Based on advice here, I went with keeping my machine (64bit Win7 Pro) and adding an Ethernet Smooth Stepper (ESS) board.  I paired that to a C10 board figuring I could add more later.

Although this was not the cheapest direction, it did seem to me to have the most long term use.

• I could use it on any computer.
• I didn't need a separate video card.
• It produced better motion control (so I hear).
• It had all the expandability I needed.
• The documentation and community support was there as needed.

I mounted the ESS inside the computer chassis with the light and ethernet plug out the back.  I moved the DB25 plugs to the two blank expansion locations.  The computer had an unused molex connector so I stole the 5v and Ground from it to power the board.
With this setup, I can take the entire controller from machine to machine (future proofing) and all that is committed to the machine is the break out board (BOB).

I followed the directions from Soigeneris (where the ESS was purchased from) for system setup.  I had a Mach3 profile started with only the X axis configured.  I wired up a single axis and hit the shuttle button.....Bam!  Perfect.

It was extremely easy and straight forward.  With this milestone achieved, the rest of the build is just going through the motions (ha!).  I have a design drawn out and all the components in house.  I'm heading to the shop now to build out the controll box.  It is too cold to start working metal today.

If you want to share in my excitement....here is a short video I made for my cousin who is keeping track of my progress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaKHA0oVIH0&list=UUYG7bdfSLBOwKxFfchex0Dw

Thanks for everyone's input...even the discussion on THC's.  Part of my build includes a table for Plasma.

Preston.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Video card question - Onboard vs Seperate video card

« on: January 06, 2015, 12:45:21 PM »

I know this is an old topic, but a timely question as I work to resolve my 64bit questions.  Thanks Hood.

P.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Smooth Stepper and your favorite breakout board...your opinions please.

« on: January 04, 2015, 08:36:32 AM »

I have continued to do my research.   When considering the C10...20..40 boards, I found it helpful to use the comparison chart they provided.
http://www.cnc4pc.com/BB.htm

So the rub gets deeper here.

If I use the SS or ESS, I have 2 and 3 'parallel' ports respectively.  Only three C## boards handle two ports.   None of them handle three.

So why would I want to spend the extra $ on an ESS.  Is ethernet connectivity that much better? I don't need a long cable run so that is not a concern.

So assuming (see..there I go.) that USB is comparable, and based on my needs as I know them, I can do with a single PP type interface.  I do want the opportunity for relays and some level of safety, I like the C11 board from that selection.

Based on the feedback you've provided, I am going to check out the PMDX boards and make a final decision.

8

General Mach Discussion / Smooth Stepper and your favorite breakout board...your opinions please.

« on: January 03, 2015, 10:00:54 AM »

So in my last thread I asked about opinions on 64bit or not to 64bit.

Baring any further insight from that thread, < http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,28751.0.html > I come to my next question for the group.

For those that are using SS or a similar motion controller, what break out board (BOB) do you like and why?

My research seems to lead me to the C10 or similar.

The goal for my machine is to run both a spindle and a plasma cutter (No not at the same time silly...but that would be interesting).  I am planning a 3 axis machine with 4 motors (2 on the 'Y').
For community support I plan to use Mach3 as the software control.

Thanks for taking the time to give your input.  I'm tired of doing things in a vacuum so your experience is invaluable.

P.

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: The 64bit decision...I'd like to hear your opinion

« on: January 01, 2015, 06:12:23 PM »

Well...there's a thought.  I could just install a 32bit OS.  I wonder if anyone else has tried that in this application.  Thanks for the idea.

P.

10

General Mach Discussion / The 64bit decision...I'd like to hear your opinion

« on: January 01, 2015, 11:35:24 AM »

So I am starting on my way to building a CNC and as usual am learning my fire.
My goal is a 3 axis spindle machine that I can change the head on and run plasma.  I would like to use Mach due to the large community and knowledge base.

So here is screw up number 2 on my part.  I aquired a 64bit Windows 7 pro, completely missing the "Mach3 doesn't work with 32bit Parallel ports".

The question now is what to do.

It would seem the cheapest answer is to buy a 32 bit machine for <$100us and find something to do with the other machine I bought for this purpose.  All the documentation is out there and it is a well traveled path to success.
~or~
Buy a motion controller.  This is a very gray area for me.  All the advertising is that motion controllers run faster and smoother.  Price goes up for sure.

Given that I am just getting started with this and it is not currently an income stream for me, I'd like some opinions on how best to proceed.  I don't mind spending the money if the performance will be worth it in the end.

Thanks in advance.

P.