Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 22, 2012, 12:52:49 AM »

So, I have finally everything running with one of my better VFDs (PowerFlex 70). Huanyang will go collect some dust. Once I figured out wiring, everything was relatively easy.
PowerFlex has also digital inputs with relays configurable as start/stop/fwd/reverse etc ... so I could hook up G540 digital output directly to PowerFlex without additional circuitry.

What I learned:
1) Original G540 XML file (provided by Gecko) for Mach3 is wrong. Pin dedicated to spindle has to have step bit 1, not 0. Once I figured that out, it all worked in build 22 and in build 66. So Hood was right. I saw different results, because I had these 2 builds in different folders with different XML files. One was fixed, other was not.
2) Motor tuning for "Spindle axis" does not do anything for PWM driven spindle. I just looked that up in manual. Maximum speed (in RPM) is derived from your pulley selection, ramping up/down is done in VFD.
3) It is wort to use shielded cables. I do not any interference between from spindle PWM, VFD or steppers anywhere.

Hood, thanks for help.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 06:51:10 PM »

I do not think my question is relevant to G540. I'm trying to figure out:

1) What "Steps per" means, if you have enabled PWM control of the spindle (not step/dir).
2) Same for "Velocity in in-mm per minute". I want to set velocity in RPM.
3) Same for "Acceleration in-mm/sec/sec". I want to set acceleration in RPM/sec.

I use base frequency 50 (I assume Hz).
I want to set ramps for acceleration and deceleration, max RPM etc.

Edit: Ok, I understand, that velocity does not matter. I will just get 0-10V anyway. But ramps are important.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 06:25:14 PM »

Well, I just installed current dev build (66) and problem went away. So I guess I'm OK from this perspective.
Btw, did you completely uninstall 62 before you installed 22? Just curious.

Anyway, now the other questions. Because it looks like you really understand, what are you talking about, can you please explain to me, how to properly tune spindle?
I already mentioned that in my first post. I need to set up at least ramps properly, but I have no clue, how to map steps, velocity and acceleration on the tunning tab on my setup.
My spindle has 24000rpm, ramp 3 secs up, 3 sec down.

Thanks!

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 06:05:45 PM »

I was trying to find things in changelog, but there is a lot of builds missing.

...

April 8/2010
Release 3.042.039
-- Added the license name to the top of the screen
-- Added the ability to read a license file with extra data after the .dat
-- Driver update for debounce
-- Spindle reverse fixed if in "pulley reverse"


April 10/2010
-- Redid the driver version number to be 550
-- Made the license name show in Sim mode


//Many updates added and debugged to get to this stage...
May 2/2011
3.043.036
-- Run Script added and lots of work to get it to shut down when an Estop Stop or like event happens
-- Lots opf VB tools added for managing scripts (Check VB doc for added calls)
-- Bug fix for Spindle speed getting set by an external device (P POrt)
-- Threading Driver update for the P POrt
-- #Expand added to VB for source control

...

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 05:53:08 PM »

Mach3 R3.043.022

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 05:48:17 PM »

Hood, yes, I mean G-code.
I will start up Mach3, I will toggle spindle. Nothing.
I will load up g-code, I can toggle spindle and I get output on the drive.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 05:44:20 PM »

Ok, I moved one step ahead. I'm now able to get into the point there is 0-10V coming of the G540.

Issue was <you got to be kidding me>:
If you try to toggle spindle in the Mach3 without opening project, it will NOT start.
If you load up whatever project (you can even close it right away), from this point on you can toggle spindle till you exit application and start again.
Seriously!? If this is a feature, PLEASE, document it somewhere (best place would be tutorial), because I'm sure I was not first and I'm not going to be last. Otherwise, is this know bug?

Now I have to figure out, why my trial VFD (Huangyang) accepts input from HMI instead of Vin, even if it is configured the other way around (PD001 and PD002 changed from 0 to to 1).

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 05:25:52 PM »

Thanks Hood for your suggestion. Unfortunately, I'm already doing this (Step 7 - punch speed in and then CWF5).
Any other ideas?

9

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 + G540 + VFD(s) + spindle

« on: September 21, 2012, 01:46:23 PM »

Ok, I'm trying to get my VFD to be hooked up on the G540, all driven by Mach3. So far I had no success doing so.

This is my setup:
1) I used "default" G540 XML configuration file which can be downloaded for G540. I was ensured bu many G540 users and Geckodrive support, that it should be ok.
2) I have G540 hooked up on VFD, (3 cables: +10V, 0-10V signal, COM)
3) I have VFD jumpered so it should go always forward (just for now) so I do not need relays for now.
4) I have spindle configured to be driven by PWM 50Hz, min 5%
5) I set up pulley with ratio 1:1 and max RPM 24000.
6) Spindle motor tuning: here is a first hicup. I have no idea, how to map steps, velocity and acceleration on spindle. It makes perfect sense for stepperes, not so for spindles.
7) When I try to punch speed into spindle and do CWF5, I see nothing. RPM says 0. Mach3 from some reason does not want to start spindle.
Funny is, when I check "average spindle speed" in spindle settings and then punch CWF5, RPM jumps to 24000 and then quickly ramps down to 0. 

When I measure +10V on Gecko, it really says +10V, when I measure 0-10V signal, it always shows 0.48V, which is pretty much 5% duty cycle.
So what am I doing wrong? What am I missing?

Thanks a lot for help.