Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Lathe conversion with threading

« on: May 04, 2016, 04:28:28 AM »

Hi Hood,

Thanks for the reply.
For your info i am doing a Tech course based on cnc machine control and my husband and i thought the best way to learn is for me to build some and use them. I have a bench top mill and router which i converted, so i have gained some experience.

For the lathe i am converting i want screw cutting.

I was going to use cnc4pc, C3 board for index pulse, i have one left over from when i converted my bench top mill. Would this be suitable with ETSS.

I want to use full spindle control i have a dual relay board.

I think my biggest problem is what i cant get my head around is how to control spindle speed, the control board that comes within the lathe works on 0-5 Vdc for the Pot.

How can i use the 5 Vdc reference voltage with ETSS to give speed control or will i need another board from somewhere to do this?

Best wishes,
Cheryl

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Lathe conversion with threading

« on: May 03, 2016, 04:06:10 AM »

Thank you all for your assistance.
If i use a Ethernet smooth stepper,
 
Firstly, what would i use to generate the index pulse, my thought was to use the C3 card from CPC4PC.

Second my lathe has an on board pot which i assume would need to be replaced by one controlled by other means all the add on cards that i have seen output 0-10 Vdc the pot on my lathe uses 0-5  Vdc.

How can i overcome these issues?

Hope i can get some answers.

Best wishes,
Cheryl

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Lathe conversion with threading

« on: April 24, 2016, 11:27:26 AM »

Thanks for your reply.
Just printed off the Threading on a lathe doc. read later today.
Excuse my ignorance what is PP?

I have done most of the mechanical work ball screws installed.
Limit/home switches installed

Starting to build the controller enclosure so this is where it gets interesting.
I was thinking of using cnc4pc index pulse card C3 to get the pulse with a slotted disc.
How many slots, a single or multiple.

Z axis 16 mm x 5 mm ball screw with 2 x thrust bearings
X axis 12 mm x 4 mm ball screw with 2 x thrust bearings
Cannot detect any backlash.
Motor is 600 watt brush less Dc 0-300 Vdc

What Breakout board could you advise, i would like to use USB to keep it as my Bench Mill and Router.

In Mach3, should the Plugin Turndiags-Turn-Diags-1.00.1 be switched on?

Thanks for your advice and help.
Best wishes,
Cheryl

4

General Mach Discussion / CNC Lathe conversion with threading

« on: April 23, 2016, 01:08:11 PM »

Hi hello everyone,
I have decided to convert a small Chinese bench top lathe to cnc 210 mm Swing by 400 mm cts, brush less DC motor. Could anyone help me decide on what Bob i need and any other control card info so the lathe will produce what i want.
My big worry is screw cutting, looking at the forum it seems that it is a bit hit and miss with results if you are new to it.

Help required to decide on items below.
What control boards to use, index pulse problems, which version of mach3 Turn to use.
Maybe you can see why i am looking for help before i start rather than diving straight in.

Required Functions:
2 axis , X and Z
Spindle control, start/stop/ speed control.
Threading Control.
USB pc connection.

My Mach3 experience, i have done a basic 3 axis mill and a router, both working fine. I used the AKZ250 (Leafboy77) Board for these machines but i have been told that this board will not support index pulse for threading.
So i need help from members please so can get this project up and running without to much pain.

I look forward to any info that will point me in the right right direction,
Thanks a bunch.

Cheryl

5

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Boxford ATC

« on: April 24, 2015, 07:41:25 AM »

Hi, have just picked up a Boxford 240 tcl with atc from the school where i work as a lab tech.
i want to convert it to Mach3, i have already converted a Boxford 190 mill with the help of my husband but this conversion is very basic.
I have read the info on getting the tool changer to run on the lathe but its a bit beyond me. Can you please help by giving  me some more information on how to set the tool changer to run in Mach3.
Please bare in mind i am a novice and only just learning to use Mach3 at the present
Any info would be appreciated or perhaps screen shots of set up info etc.

Best wishes to all,
Cheryl

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Stepper motor working in 1 direction only!

« on: March 26, 2015, 12:39:57 PM »

Hi, could someone help me ? i have only started cnc a few months ago and have made a controller which worked fine the stepper driver is Chinese (24V-50Vdc) actual 48Vdc.

I have now made a second but i am having some problems as below.

Steppers erratic movement and will only run one way, motor step/direction is set up as my previous driver
X - Step pin 2, dir pin 3 and so on for 3 axes.  No home/limits set, no e-stop set by unchecking the input ports and pins set up correctly as is in Mach ports & Pins settup.

My stepper drivers are Chinese which i have used before (24V-50Vdc)
The input voltage to these however is reading 24Vdc. I am wondering if this the marginal voltage is the problem.

Any help will do please, thanks

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Boxford VMC 190 CNC Mill and TCL 160 CNC Lathes

« on: February 27, 2015, 11:42:47 AM »

Hi, sorry i canot help in the same boat myself.
Do you know what spindle motor is in the Boxford 190VCM? and how i can control it with Mach3

Desparate for info
Cheryl

8

FAQs / Re: LImit and home switches

« on: November 27, 2014, 10:11:20 AM »

Thanks for the help, looks like i have a bit more work to do.

Cher

9

FAQs / Re: LImit and home switches

« on: November 27, 2014, 09:32:52 AM »

Hi Gerry,
I`ll do that, thank very much for you help.

Cher

10

FAQs / Re: LImit and home switches

« on: November 27, 2014, 09:10:17 AM »

Thanks stirling,
I am not an electrical person, so i do not know what this is.
Any pics or description/circuit diagram.
Thanks,
Cher