Topics

31

General Mach Discussion / steps per readout

« on: February 26, 2017, 07:06:58 PM »

Boxford TCL160

Is there any way to get  a 'steps per readout' on my Mach3 turn screen.

I want to know exactly how many steps my steppers are doing to rotate my tool turret 360 degrees.

Currently set to 33.3333 step per in motor tuning and I'm using the M6start macro which is attached. (anyone care to look it over please)
Tool turret moves as it should when calling M1T02 M2T02 M3T02 etc etc.

I will fit a home sensor to the tool turret so that I can home on tool No1

I'll take it forward from there unless anyone can help.

I know I should be searching the forums and I did, problem is when you search back so far there is a host of information on this topic (ATC) that it all becomes very unclear.

I am trying.

Thanks

George

32

General Mach Discussion / Spindle index

« on: February 26, 2017, 07:11:25 AM »

Re: Boxford TCL160

I read some posts back that spindle index pulse was no longer supported in Mach3 due to issues in 'Threading' Is this still the case.

The disc on my spindle has 100 holes on the inner circle and one hole/slot on the outer.  (See pic)

I am now generating pulse trains for each of the two Opto's which I can now input to my CM106 BOB

Can Mach3 now handle these, if so how is the setup achieved.

Thanks

George

33

General Mach Discussion / Homing and limits with ESS Smooth stepper and Mach Turn

« on: February 23, 2017, 11:13:45 AM »

Using Mach Turn and ESS
I just found out that automatic setup for homing and limit switches only applies to Parallel port boards. ??
Is there a way to do this using Smooth Stepper ??

What is the correct configuration of these switches for lathe operation ?

How can I set Z++, Z-- and  Z home switches for my lathe ?
How can I set X++, X- and X home switches for my lathe ?

I will used two switches for my Z axis and wire them in series.

34

Third party software and hardware support forums. / TCL160 spindle speed

« on: February 22, 2017, 04:14:54 PM »

Like most, I have a Boxford TCL160 lathe.
I'm using the original Inverter drive Mitsibushi Z024-UL
There is no Parameter unit fitted to the inverter so I cannot change any of the settings.
The Chuck is running flat out at 5Vdc and slows proportionally in keeping with the applied Voltage 0 - 5Vdc
Does anyone know what the actual speed of the chuck(Spindle) is at 5Vdc?

George

35

General Mach Discussion / spindle speed setup

« on: February 19, 2017, 09:32:37 AM »

I'm back to converting my Boxford TCL160 after quite a long break.
The Spindle and X and Z axis are now all working.
I now need to hook up the original encoder to give me the speed of the Spindle.
The disc on the end of the spindle shaft has 100 holes and on the outer rim there is one hole.
There is a dual slotted opto used to sense the speed. is has 4 wires, yellow,red,blue,green,

I need to hook these into my breakout board which is a CM106

36

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Spindle control queery

« on: February 15, 2017, 07:15:57 AM »

Using Mach3 Turn with ESS Smooth Stepper.
I have my spindle on my lathe responding correctly.

I have one connection to my Spindle drive Marked MRS, Description is Output shutoff/ or selection of second acceleration/deceleration.

Do I need to use this, if so how ??

Thanks

George

37

SmoothStepper USB / Wheres my PWM signal ?

« on: February 15, 2017, 05:04:26 AM »

I'm using and ESS Smooth Stepper with a CM106 break out board.

I'm running Mach3 Turn for Lathe.


Start spindle with S6000, I have no output on pins P2.1 Vdc and ground which are connected to my inverter drive on pins 2 & 5

I have pi 1:14 to turn on the spindle relay and this works fine but I have no spindle movement.

The ESS plugin is set to:

Relay control
Use relay output is unchecked.
M3 is set to Output #1
M4 is set to output #1

Motor conrtol
Use spindle motor output is checked
Use PWM control is checked
Use step/dir is unchecked.
PWM Base freq =5
Minimum PWM 0%



Thanks

George

38

Mach4 General Discussion / ESS Smooth Stepper Mach4 Lathe

« on: February 14, 2017, 06:20:52 PM »

Am I good to go by migration from Mach3 to Mach4 for Lathe operation ? for home (Hobby use)

Thanks

George

39

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Help with CM106ESS Hookup please.

« on: February 13, 2017, 08:02:15 PM »

Can anyone please help to complete my hookup of me CM106ESS for Mach Turn

I'm confused with VOC Power select.
Manual reads " Open collector output port, It is assigned 6,7,8 & 9 in Port2 and can join motor driver & can link wit the relay for exterior control too. ??
Power VOC using here can select below pins (See Schematic)
If you connect with motor driver, use 5V if the relay, Use 24v.

Also
Can I hook up all Pulse+ & Dir+ from all drives to a common 5Vdc supply or can I leave them as shown in the schematic. ?
Where do I connect STF,STR and MRS ?
Where do I connect the other pin of the Estop?
Where do I connect my limit switches. ?


I know I'm being a bit thick but I want to make sure I get it correct.

Once that's done I can ask about spindle encoders 

Many thanks

George

40

General Mach Discussion / Upgrade liscence.

« on: January 31, 2017, 02:51:20 PM »

I have and use a licensed Version of Mach3, along with licensed Wizards
Q1:-  can this be transferred to Mach4 or do I need to buy a new licence ?
Q2:-  I have now unearthed my Boxford TCL160 Lathe, having now retired and moved to Scotland.  :-) Hooray!
Q3:-  Will Mach4 have 'Machturn' option as does Mach3 or will I have to stay with Mach3 for Lathe operations. ?
Q4:-  Are any tutorials available for the general use of Mach Turn ?
I'm using ESS Smoothstepper with a CM106 breakout board , Mach3 + Plugin and SCU have been run and seem to be Ok but a bit quirky so more questions to come


Regards to all.

George