Topics

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Servo spindle stops briefly - How do I diagnose problem?

« on: May 14, 2019, 09:39:02 AM »

Problem:  My Lathe spindle rarely, and randomly stops during a cnc program. 

Background:  I finally have all of my motors running, system calibrated and I am now "air cutting" using "simple" g-code generated with the Mach4 turn cycles.  3 times now, the spindle has "briefly frozen <1sec" mid run and then continued.  There are no alarms raised, no software indicators or hardware alarms.  It is unclear if any steps are missed.

The Machine:
Mach4 Hobby (Windows 10 dedicated (current) I5 computer),
PoKeys57CNC,
DMM-Tech Dyn4 controller, 400W servo,
Sherline 4410 Lathe,
X,Y axis standard Leadshine steppers and controllers.
I am Air cutting so there is no load on motors.

I am puzzled and looking for advice on how to diagnose the fault and ultimately correct it?

Since the event is random and "rare" being prepared to capture diagnostics is a problem too, so if anyone can suggest test to "force" the problem that would also be a help.

Thanks in advance.

2

Mach4 General Discussion / How to understand Spindle readings? I am confused..

« on: April 23, 2019, 04:13:21 PM »

Help I am confused and cannot find detailed references (in the manuals)

I am setting up a CNC Lathe with a PoKeys57CNC. 
My goal is to have a CNC based threading capability on my Sherline Lathe.  Hence.
I am using a Dyn4 servo controller and 400W motor to run the "spindle".

The servo is setup in Speed mode and I have it working with MACH4 I can increase / decrease the rpms etc.  This is done thru the Analog 0-10v pins.  The manuals got me this far.

My questions:
1) The "True RPM" is accurate, I tested with a Tachometer on the chuck.

• How do I interpret the other numbers; Spindle RPM, Spindle Motor etc?  They do not seem the accurately align with true.
• If enter PGM RPM the spindle speed changes BUT it is about 30% lower than the "true RPM".  How do I get what I enter to equal "true RPM", it seems there should be a correction factor somewhere to offset the 30%
  

Is there a "manual" or "chapter" that covers the spindle in more detail and covers the above?  I have not been able to find it.  Since my goal is threading I would really like to understand the spindle parameters much better.

Thanks in advance

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Cannot tune motor, Motor screen will not allow entering data

« on: April 09, 2019, 09:43:08 PM »

Hi I am new to mach4.  I just got my motors running and went to tune the motors as told on the manual.

I cannot enter values into the boxes, they are greyed out.  Any hints on what I should do?