Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Component Identification Help

« on: August 24, 2012, 03:23:58 PM »

The Lenze speed controller on my Boxford Mill has just gone bang...
The offending part can be seen here...

The big black box has burn marks around the base, so I am guessing it is that.
 
I have done a search on google using all the numbers on it but have come up with nothing as I don't even know what component it is?
DC/DC converter?
 
Anybody got any ideas? I'm happy to try and replace it if I can source a suitable replacement. Failing that can anyone recommend a 180v permanent magnet DC controller?
 
Thanks
Simon

2

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Boxford Tooling Plate, 4th Axis & CoolJet

« on: April 12, 2009, 01:03:23 PM »

Seeing all the other 4th axis on here, I thought I would show my rendition of one, along with the tooling plate and CoolJet I made for my Boxford 190VMC.

3

SmoothStepper USB / SmoothStepper & CNC4PC Cards

« on: May 17, 2008, 11:28:36 AM »

I am using a CNC4PC C11G Breakout board and a C3 Index Board for spindle feedback.
My system was running fine using the parallel port.
 
After installing the SmoothStepper I have a number of issues...
 
1) The spindle control no longer works. I have no control over the spindle speed, it either runs at full speed or nothing. I have tried changing the SmoothStepper spindle output down to the minimum speed of 32kHz but this made no difference. Presumably because the C11G is expecting a maximum frequency of 25kHz?
 
2) The Spindle Timing no longer reports *any* speed when the spindle is running.
 
3) In motor tuning of Mach3 I cannot "try" the settings as the SmoothStepper does not respond to the up or down arrow keys?
 
I was under the impression that the SmoothStepper installation would be a simple replacement for the parallel port, obviously I am doing something wrong or have omitted something, can anyone point me at my error(s)?

Thanks
Simon

4

Brains Development / Brain not functioning correctly

« on: May 16, 2008, 11:53:48 AM »

I have finally managed to get my spindle brain working to turn the spindle on in a set direction, albeit with a round about method!

However my last rung is not functioning properly. In brain view it shows the correct signals highlighted in green but the AND ignores that the bottom signal is not active and activates the output rung.
What have I done wrong or is this a bug?

Thanks
Simon

5

Brains Development / Turning on Spindle in a set direction...

« on: May 11, 2008, 04:38:47 PM »

Hi,

How do I turn on the spindle in a set direction in a brain? 
If I terminate my condition with the "UserLED" "164 - Spindle CW on" it does not turn on the spindle.

If I use "Button" "Spindle on/off" it starts it but in whatever direction it was last moving in.

I have tried 2 rungs, one setting the UserLED and the other pressing the button but that doesn't work either.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks
Simon

6

Brains Development / Optimum Brain Size

« on: May 10, 2008, 06:52:31 PM »

Hi,

Is it better to have one big brain which does all the functions or a lot of little brains?  Is there any benefit to either other than ease of editing?

Also I can't find how to insert an input into an existing brain only how to append on on the bottom.

Thanks
Simon

7

General Mach Discussion / Potentiometer Input

« on: May 10, 2008, 04:05:43 PM »

Guys,

Is there a way to get a potentiometer input into Mach3 without using a PLC or ModIO?

I have a feedrate pot on the control panel of my lathe which I would like to connect up if possible however using a PLC or ModIO just for feerate override seems a bit over the top! i have enough other inputs/outputs already using a smoothstepper.

Is there a simple add-on card I can buy?

Thanks
Simon

8

General Mach Discussion / Spindle Index problem.

« on: May 04, 2008, 04:55:46 AM »

I am trying to use a CNC4PC C3 index card into a C11G BOB. I am wired into pin15 for the index, I have tried pin10 and it made no difference.

My spindle disc is 125mm diameter. The spindle should run at 3200 rpm.

The slot width calc gives...

0.0088 x 0.0012 x 3200 x 125 = 4.224mm

The slot in the disc is 6.3mm wide.

Mach3 sees the index pulse when I turn the spindle by hand, I have tried both active low on and off.

Mach3 sees the speed upto about 200 rpm but anything above that and it still reads somewhere between 200 and 250 rpm. it never goes any higher.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks
Simon

9

General Mach Discussion / Boxford 190VMC

« on: April 23, 2008, 01:35:18 PM »

I have just taken delivery of a Boxford 190VMC with automaic toolchanger, it is a 1995 machine and looks like it is PC controlled, but I cannot swear to that. It appears to be fully working and manually jogs, spindle runs etc.

I have no information with the machine except for a "student lesson manual" which is about as much use as a chocolate teapot for the conversion of it!

Does anybody have any information please. I really need anything anybody can throw at me from wiring diagrams, user manual, where to buy the toolholders etc.

Many Thanks
Simon

10

General Mach Discussion / Boxford 160TCL

« on: April 08, 2008, 05:15:36 PM »

Hi,

I have just purchased a Boxford 160TCL and will convert it to MACH3, I have had a read through numerous posts on here be people who have already converted either a 160 or 125TCL and was wondering if anybody has a wiring diagram or any documentation they could let me have?
The machine has an automatic turret and I understand that MACH3 can control that quite nicely although I have not found out how yet!

I will probably use Gecko drivers for this conversion as I have been caught out with low voltage driving of steppers on my milling machine.

Has anybody converted the switch panel to run using the ModIO ?

Also any things to watch out for or gotchas would be appreciated!

Thanks
Simon