Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Long encoder cables can you help

« on: February 04, 2018, 12:26:43 PM »

Glad to hear you have it fixed.

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Long encoder cables can you help

« on: February 03, 2018, 02:24:16 PM »

Hello Tony;

I think I read your first post carefully... but... are you certain it is not a servo tuning issue?

The following assumes it is NOT a servo tuning issue:

It is possible to get encoders to operate over several meters.  I use CUI encoders (highly recommended), and I also use Differential drivers.  Differential drivers immensely improve the noise immunity of the encoder signal - they almost eliminate any common mode noise.

___
My encoders are easily 4 meters from termination to termination.  I kept my encoder wires in the same cable chain as all power cabling, but pulled them over to the side.  I used stranded Ethernet cable and grounded the cable shield on ONE END ONLY.

There have been replies while i have been typing...
Encoders about 25 USD each
Drivers about 9 USD each

Differential driver CUI-102E-10 "AMT 102 Line Driver Cable"
Incremental Encoder AMT 102-V KIT "Encoder Programmable TTL Radial"

I don't work for or sell these, BTW.

Hope this helps..

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Switches for Home position

« on: February 02, 2018, 10:57:15 AM »

I use roller switches similar to Craig's - maybe even identical - for both homing and over-travel end stops.  Have not had any issues with them yet.

I wrote a homing routine to bump into the roller switches, then back off until I saw the "Z" signal on the optical encoder on the servo motor shaft.  Nice routine, I made the code real pretty, it was real accurate, but over the years I went back to just using the roller switch as it was close 'nuff, AND I could hear the switch "click" and I knew I was good to go.

Only time it is a problem is when i get junk on the roller.  But that is a problem with any switch.

____

Possibly a little OT, I set my limit switch close to the end of travel, and make the LS's target keep the switch plunger pushed in all the way until the over-travel is hit.  That way I know when i start to "home" which direction i need to move the axis.

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: windows 10 pro and mach3

« on: December 09, 2017, 12:54:39 PM »

Hello Harry;

I have Win 10 Pro 64 bit/ ESS/ Mach 3 with a fairly low spec'd. computer.

It all works fine.

One thing to watch is automatic upgrades/ updates.  Turn this off, or better yet, keep your Mach3 computer off of the 'net.

-MDog

15

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Huanyang VFD problems?

« on: January 28, 2017, 06:32:38 PM »

Jacko;
Been there done that.  I have a HuanYang VFD drive as do you.  This isn't meant to imply these generate more or less electrical noise than any other drive - I don't know.

Three things I did as I built my CNC machine to stop the VFD's electrical noise from interfering with the electronics:
1) Made absolutely sure I did NOT daisy-chain electrical grounds.
2) Put VFD in it's own metal electrical enclosure.
3) Made sure cable from VFD to spindle was as far away as possible from other electrical cables (limit switch wiring, etc.)

I still suspected I had an occasional issue caused by electrical noise, so I placed noise suppression toroids
* On the power leads AT the VFD,
* On the power leads going to the spindle AT the VFD,
* and on the power leads going to a Programmable Logic Controller (AT the PLC) I use on my machine.

Because you will never know if you fixed the problem until it never returns (which hopefully is a long time), I think this is one of those situations where it isn't worth it to figure out EXACTLY what is causing the problem... it is easiest to address all the things that MIGHT be causing the problem and move on.  OK, my logic here might be suspect (smile).

My toroids measure 18mm OD, 9mm ID, and 5mm thick.
Sorry, I don't have the specs, but the look a lot like http://www.ebay.com/itm/7mm-Inner-Diameter-Ferrite-Ring-Iron-Toroid-Cores-Yellow-White-50PCS-LW-/181834403242?hash=item2a562ccdaa:g:iEYAAOSw4UtWTwGZ:

Not endorsing this seller, or the product, just that this is what mine LOOK like.
There are scholarly articles on what size, type, etc. to use.

Best of luck.

16

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4, C11 BOB, & Huanyang VFD - how to control spindle?

« on: November 17, 2016, 07:22:51 PM »

Wheelman;

Sorry if you knew this already...
I also have a Huanyang VFD, unfortunately for your problem, I use MODBUS to control the drive.  (Huanyang uses a flavor of MODBUS, so takes a special driver... bummer)

Anyway, I just looked at my manual, and there are other settings that must be selected to get the VFD to recognize the 0-10 Volt external signal - others than the PD001 "Source of Run Command" (set to "1" for your installation).

Please also read about selecting 0-10 volt as opposed to 0 to 20mA, or 0-5V.  Look at PD070, PD072 through PD076.
I set mine up years ago, and remember similar learning curve.  Lesson here is to write down all the settings once the system does what you want it to... (smile)

If you are safe about it, you should be able to remove wires from controller board, put a voltage source across the terminals (think 1.5 volt "AA" battery) to ensure the drive is reacting to a 0-10 Volt signal.  Of course make sure spindle is ready to spin, etc.

My drive:
Model HY07D543B

Best of luck.

17

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Serial Port Support

« on: November 18, 2015, 09:13:54 PM »

Not yet.  Thanks for the quick reply.

18

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Serial Port Support

« on: November 18, 2015, 06:51:33 PM »

Tgirard;

Does this mean you got RS232 serial to work w/ MACH 4 - or were you only able to get it to load?
Thanks.

19

Mach4 Toolbox / Re: Scripts to control my VFD over Modbus

« on: November 14, 2015, 04:07:04 PM »

Awander;
Thanks for posting. I plan to dig into this in a month or so for my machine.  What brand of VFD did you program this for?

Thanks.

Oh, assume the smiley face with glasses is "8)"

20

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: The great screen debate

« on: August 27, 2015, 09:43:36 PM »

I use touch screens almost exclusively w/ MACH, so squareish buttons are great - especially for tasks that are oft used.  That way I don't have to sharpen my fingertip so often.   I really like the graphics on probe and offset screens.  I believe these make it easier to ensure users are doing what they expect - fewer crashes & such.  Thanks for the chance to offer feedback, much appreciated.