Messages

381

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Which BOB for the smooth stepper

« on: May 15, 2009, 10:25:43 PM »

I am also wondering what board to use... I need something without built in features, all I need is screw-terminals, and selectable direction (for pins2-9) and some protection...
i would add relays and fancy circuits separately.

Am I right to suppose that as SS goes from the USB there is no need for charge pump circuity? Or there is still good use for it, to output the ENABLE signal for the drives?

The PMDX-122 looks nice, it is almost what I need, but its price is quite high... (And I am in the EU, ordering and customs is problematic)

Hi,

Have a look at the MB-02 that I sell. It will be in stock by next weekend.  It can connect to the Smoothstepper via a 26pin-26pin IDC cable. It has buffers on all inputs and outputs along with a few other features.

http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=59

Cheers,

Peter

382

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SmoothStepper now available in Australia

« on: May 10, 2009, 06:08:35 AM »

Hi, for the last few days the Homann Designs website has been down. How long before it's back up as I'm keen to purchase a SS here in Aust.

Hi,

Sorry for the site being down. It should be up within 24 hours I hope. I've had a problem with the search engines consuming all the bandwidth.

Cheers,

Peter.

Hi,

Irt sounds like there is something on the PC that is needing CPU time which is interrupting the stepper pulse stream. It could be something like Quicktime, etc.

There is a guide on how to optimize a PC for Mach3. That may help. If that doesn't a SmoothStepper may  solve the problem as it does a lot of the trajectory work.

Cheers,


Peter.

383

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and Geckodrive G540

« on: May 05, 2009, 12:49:38 AM »

Hi,

Best thing to do is to just buy Mach3. If you decide later that you need the add ons, you can buy them then. When you buy the add-ons you are just purchasing a licence file which gets emailed to you, so it is quite quick.

Cheers,

Peter.

384

General Mach Discussion / Re: How can one use a PLC in CNC?

« on: May 01, 2009, 07:33:03 PM »

I an an electrician and have some PLCs laying around. Anyone know how these could be used in CNC apps, mainly X-Y tables? which I have two of.
I'm thinking PLCs could be used for additional inputs and outputs, motor speed etc.

 I saw this post and PLCs used here:-

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,5536.0.html

regards,
Shane Dwyer, AU

Hi Shane,

I'm not sure what you want to do with a PLC, but to get some idea of what can be don't with Modbus devices, have a look through the ModIO manual at;

http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=4

Also check out the Wiki at;

http://www.machsupport.com/MachCustomizeWiki/index.php?title=Mach3_Pendants_links
http://www.machsupport.com/MachCustomizeWiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Cheers,


Peter.

385

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with spindle speed control for Mini Lathe

« on: April 26, 2009, 09:58:28 PM »

Peter,
 I was just looking at your website. I think that the DC-02 is the way that I want to go.  Can you tell me what options would be best for me, the lathe that I have is a Clarke 7x12 Mini lathe. I used the the Ron Steele CNC conversion Instructions and ordered the recommended proximity sensor from Euro Spec #is12-y4-n-oc. I just want to be sure that I will not run into any problems with the wiring. Also I plan on using the Smooth Stepper, will that be any problem?


I also think that I want to use the existing manual speed contron knob, and the dc-dc converter, also the led not on the board.  What do you think would be best, you know allot more than me.

Thanks,
Tom

Hi Tom,

The DC-02 is a good way to go. You need to decide wow you want to mount it. If you have the optional switch, indicator leds and pot mounted on the DC-02 board, then it needs to be mounted so that these components protrude through a front panel. If the DC-02 is to be mounted inside a CNC controller, then the switch, Leds and manual pot are connected to the DC-02 via flying leads.

If you let me know how and where you want to mount it, I can advise on the best configuration.

As to the Smoother Stepper, it works fine with the DC-02.

The proximity sensor, requires 12V as it's supply and provides a 12V output. You can still use it by not feeding it through the DC-02. (note, the DC-02 does not need the index sensor to be connected to it. It is just to conveniently feed the index signal to your breakout board via the DC-02 mini-din cable). The DC-02 is designed for a 5V index sensor such as the Omron EE-SY672. Have a look at the engineering note. http://www.homanndesigns.com/EN001.pdf

If you want to use the proximity sensor through the DC-02, you will need to provide a voltage divider to reduce the 12V output of the sensor to 5V.

Cheers,

Peter.

386

General Mach Discussion / Re: Help with spindle speed control for Mini Lathe

« on: April 26, 2009, 12:38:37 AM »

I am looking for advice on what hardware and wiring needed  to begin to use spindle speed control on my converted  CNC Mini Lathe.  What boards can anyone suggest, and if you could point me in the direction to find out how to wire the lathe, it does have a variable speed control knob on it.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Tom

Hi Tom,

HAve a look at the DigiSpeed range of Speed controllers I make and sell.  The DC-06 uses step and dir control sognals. The DC-03 and DC-02 use PWM. They all have an option for an on-board DC/DC converter so that an additional isolated 12V supply is not needed.

http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

I use a DC-02 on my Taig mill and 7x14 lathe as it has an option for an onboard  potentiometer so it can be used in a manual mode when required as well.


Cheers,


Peter.

387

SmoothStepper USB / Re: PWM output for spindle

« on: April 20, 2009, 12:03:48 AM »

Hi,

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but you also need to do to the motor tuning tab for the spindle and set the acceleration to a reasonable value. If you don't do this, the default acceleration value  is so low that it takes forever to get to a measurable value.

Cheers,

Peter.

388

General Mach Discussion / Re: 0-10 volt output for vfd

« on: April 10, 2009, 08:20:06 PM »

Hi Keith,

A couple of things. The reason that their is ripple on the 0-10V control signal is most probably due to ripple on the power supply feeding the 0-10V control circuity. Less ripple should produce a more stable signal.

More importantly, it sounds like the acceleration parameter the VFD is too hi. If you reduce the acceleration parameter, the speed fluxuations should be smoothed out and a steady peed should be the result.

Cheers,

Peter.

389

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SmoothStepper now available in Australia

« on: March 31, 2009, 09:22:26 AM »

Hi, for the last few days the Homann Designs website has been down. How long before it's back up as I'm keen to purchase a SS here in Aust.

Hi,

Sorry for the site being down. It should be up within 24 hours I hope. I've had a problem with the search engines consuming all the bandwidth.

Cheers,

Peter.

390

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Spindle/VFD plug-in - Interested?

« on: March 29, 2009, 04:40:25 AM »

I don't really see the need for a plugin as control via Mosdbus can be done with a few lines in a macropump or a simple brain

Cheers,


Peter.