Messages

331

General Mach Discussion / Re: Whose Fault Is ThIs?

« on: December 08, 2009, 10:28:30 AM »

I've also verified the supply voltage is holding well, never dropping more than about 1.5V from its nominal value.

If all 3 axis have a fast excelleration time, the power supply could be the issue.  Did you use a scope to see the supply voltage or DVM?  A DVM will filter out the surge/voltage drop.  You might try a second supply just on the Z.

JH

332

General Mach Discussion / Re: spindle speed, strange fault

« on: December 08, 2009, 10:14:01 AM »

You could build a quick small circuit with LM741 OP AMP to invert your signal....

JH

333

General Mach Discussion / Re: VFD/Spindle wiring Mach3

« on: December 07, 2009, 05:53:54 PM »

1) Verify the output signals with a Scope/Meter to make sure you breakout board to Mach3 configuration is correct.

2) Make sure your VFD Parameters are setup to accept the FWD, REV and Analog inputs.  Most VFD can be configured several diffent ways on their input pins  (2 wire control, 3 wire control, ... )

Just some ideas...
JH

334

General Mach Discussion / Re: Breakout Board recommendation?

« on: December 07, 2009, 05:32:37 PM »

CNC4PC  I have a total of 3 of these on 2 of my machines. 

http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=45

I woulld add a charge pump circuit too.

JH

335

General Mach Discussion / 12 ATC Initialization MACRO HELP

« on: November 18, 2009, 12:54:51 PM »

We have a 12 ATC that we are trying to Initialize (find tool position one).  The macro below works, but I think there might be a better way to move an axis and monitor an switch change.

My question is, while an axis is moving and a switch change is detected, what is the best way to 1) grab the position of the axis and stop the motor smoothly.  Our Macro works, but the motor STOPS, it does not decelerate to a stop.  We are using C Axis for the ATC Carousel Motor

'**********************************************************************
'
'   M1002.mls   Initialize the ATC     17NOV2009
'
'   Initiailize the ATC
'
'   1) Checks if the Carousel is HOMED, if so, backs it off the HOME switch
'   2) Finds HOME and Moves 1/2 Revolution of the Motor Shaft
'   3) Checks the INDEX and HOME switchs to make sure we are correct
'   4) Sets the DROs to a know state
'
'**********************************************************************
Sub Main()
    Dim AxisName As String
    Dim CodeBuffer As String
    Dim Timeout As Integer    
    
    ' Define I/O and OEM Parameters
    Const StopButton = 1003             ' OEM Stop Button
    Const eStop = 1021                  ' OEM eStop Button
    Const HomeSW = Input4               ' Mapped to Input4
    Const IndexSW = Input3              ' Mapped to Input3
    Const MotorEnable = Output1         ' Mapped to Output1
    Const CarouselMotor = 5             ' Mapped to C Axis
    AxisName = "C"                      ' Mapped to C Axis
    
    Message "Initializing the ATC..."

    ' Enable Motor and let the Motor Driver Stablize
    ActivateSignal( MotorEnable )
    Sleep 100

    '
    ' If we are currently HOMEd, then move off of HOME.
    '
    If IsActive( HomeSW ) Then
        ' Get the current motors Position
        Timeout = 0        
        MotorPosition = GetABSPosition( CarouselMotor )
        MotorPosition = MotorPosition - 25
        CodeBuffer = "G0 G56 " & AxisName & MotorPosition
        ' Message "ATC: CODE: " & CodeBuffer
        Code CodeBuffer
            While IsActive( HomeSW )
                Sleep 10
                
                ' Check for TimeOut ( 5 Second )
                Timeout = Timeout + 1
                If Timeout = 500 Then
                    Message "!!! ATC Home Sw TimeOut 1 !!!"
                    Sleep 1000
                    DoOEMButton( eStop )
                    Exit Sub
                End If
            Wend

        ' Stop the Motor
        DoOEMButton( StopButton )
            While IsMoving()
                Sleep 10
            Wend
    End If    

    '
    ' Move until we see the HOME Switch, then continue to the Middle
    '
    MotorPosition = GetABSPosition( CarouselMotor )

    ' Move until we see the Home SW, could be as much as 12 Positions
    Timeout = 0        
    MotorPosition = MotorPosition + ( 25 * 12 )
    CodeBuffer = "G0 G56 " & AxisName & MotorPosition
    ' Message "ATC: CODE: " & CodeBuffer
    Code CodeBuffer
        Do Until IsActive( HomeSW )
            Sleep 10
    
            ' Check for TimeOut ( 25 Seconds )
            Timeout = Timeout + 1
            If Timeout = 2500 Then
                Message "!!! ATC Home Sw TimeOut 2 !!!"
                Sleep 1000
                DoOEMButton( eStop )
                Exit Sub
            End If
        Loop

    ' Stop the Motor
    DoOEMButton( StopButton )
        While IsMoving()
            Sleep 10
        Wend
    
    ' Grab the home Position we just found
    MotorPosition = GetABSPosition( CarouselMotor )
    Message "ATC: Home found at: " & MotorPosition

    ' Set the new target position and execute ( 1/2 Revelution of the Motor Shaft )
    MotorPosition = MotorPosition + 12.5
    CodeBuffer = "G0 G56 " & AxisName & MotorPosition
    ' Message "ATC: CODE: " & CodeBuffer
    Code CodeBuffer
        While IsMoving()
            Sleep 10
        Wend

    '
    ' Make sure both the Home and Index Switches are Active
    '
    If Not( IsActive( HomeSW )) Then
        Message "!!! ATC HOME Sw not Set !!!"
        Sleep 1000
        DoOEMButton( eStop )
        Exit Sub
    End If
    
    If Not( IsActive( IndexSW )) Then
        Message "!!! ATC INDEX Sw not Set !!!"
        Sleep 1000
        DoOEMButton( eStop )
        Exit Sub
    End If

    '
    ' Clear DROs
    '
    SetMachZero( CarouselMotor )        ' Machine Cords
    SetUserDRO( 1000, 1 )               ' ATC Tool Position

    ' Disable Motor Driver
    DeActivateSignal( MotorEnable )
        
End Sub  

336

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 1979 Takisawa DTX-1 Turret Lathe

« on: November 03, 2009, 09:40:34 AM »

The Drives look like VIPER 200s ?

337

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 1979 Takisawa DTX-1 Turret Lathe

« on: October 29, 2009, 12:36:17 PM »

Looks nice, please keep us posted. 

I have a Mori Seiki SL1 I plan to retrofit someday and I could use your knowledge learned on this build for sure !

338

General Mach Discussion / Re: Servo Drive Review. First 4 drives Gecko, Viper, Rutex, Leadshine

« on: September 27, 2009, 01:03:55 PM »

Talk about the fine print.  20A vs 7A is more like 1/3 of it's rating.

339

General Mach Discussion / Re: Servo Drive Review. First 4 drives Gecko, Viper, Rutex, Leadshine

« on: August 04, 2009, 03:55:15 PM »

Thanks for the write up.  I have used Geckos past with smaller servos motors and just purchased a Viper 200 to test on some larger 100V DC Servos. 

I'll post my testing on the Viper 200 when I can.

340

General Mach Discussion / Re: Has anyone used Viper Servo drivers?

« on: June 08, 2009, 09:56:52 AM »

Agreed:

1) 80Volt Limit.  This alone makes it harder to find a transformer that is just less than 2:1 when making a DC Power Supply.

I'm at 'Electronics for Dummies' level. Can you elaborate on what 2:1 means relative to transformer design?

It’s easy to find a transformer with a 2:1 ratio, these are used in kinds of applications where an AC device, like a Heater or Vacuum Pump is used.  This allows the product design to support 110VAC or 220VAC using the transformer to change the input voltage to the internal AC devices. 

The problem is when this is rectified to DC, you get about 85VDC (just over the limit), so you have a find a transformer with multiple taps (1.8:1, 2:1, 2.2:1) and use the 2.2:1 ratio.  These are just a little harder to find and requires more research for the pinouts.
Here is one I built with a 2:1, the VDC is just over the limit