Messages

61

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 29, 2020, 12:42:21 AM »

The BOB purchased is the ST V2 and the Drives purchased are the TB6600 and I've purchased a digital Digitech multimeter to play with.
ZASto, would you please tell me what power supplies you use to power these devices?

62

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 28, 2020, 11:12:13 PM »

Good to know.
No, I have not yet bought the power supplies. I have a shed full of those little AC/DC adaptor transformers that power TVs, amplifiers, laptops and a variety of other electrical devices that I thought might be suitable - could be mistaken. I have here for instance a Toshiba N17908, AC 100V, 50-60Hz, 1.5A to DC 19V, 4.74A, or a Simsukian with an output of 9V DC and 1.5A .... would that be a suitable approach, and what Voltage and Amperage parameters should I look for?
By the way, could the Bosch router speed potentiometer be replaced by another devise that can be activated by Mach 3?
So I will be running the steppers in an open loop config, without encoders; should I expect missing step and stalling difficulties and what should I do to minimise or eradicate the chances of these happening?

63

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 28, 2020, 10:03:28 PM »

Thanks for all your input, people.

My computer is a ACPI x 86, 2 x Intel(R) Core (TM) 2CPU 4300 @ 1.8GHz each. Memory a paltry 2046MB. It runs Vista, which during it's time was regarded as a giant virus.
I can install XP if that would be better.
My router is a Bosch 1617 EVS, 120V, 60Hz, 12A and 2.25HP. It's power supply is a stepdown transformer 240 to 115V. The Router was supplied with the CNC and US rated. So was the CNC. It is a variable speed but manually controlled
I now have the opportunity to gear control componentry to 240V mains.

I have looked into the TB6600 steppers and ST-V2 BOB. The BOB is regarded as one of the 5 best for Mach3 while the TB6600 presented quite some problems in the early 2010s. Problems such as overheating and not supplying the rated current. That seems to have been resolved but it still seems to be a case of buyer beware of cheap imitations.

BUT, I've committed and bought the stuff from a reputable Oz supplier.

?What is a jumper and a PWM? I looked it up online but could not find a ref as to what they actually are, only that the are used.

So now I wait till the goods arrive.

64

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 28, 2020, 08:20:43 AM »

Thanks for the link TPS
I have just found 'CNC Router Source' -  http://www.cncroutersource.com/homemade-cnc-router.html and will read my way through that. Seems to give a good overview of all the control and driver criteria.
ZASto's set up seems simplicity itself and I do like simplicity. I just have to come to terms with my 6 wire stepper motors, their technical specifications, whether or not to use them as a uni or bipolar setup, if bipolar then series, half coil or parallel or even if I should totally replace them; whether or not to use the encoders and how to connect the limit switches and router / spindle. I also have to decide if I want the option to install some extra functions in the future, as MN300 suggested. Will I update Windows, and if yes, which Mach version would be the best to use on that O/S; will I use the parallel port, USB or an ethernet cable; will I use the computer as the main controller or use an external controller etc. etc.
Cost will determine most decisions but I need to first educate myself.

65

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 28, 2020, 04:41:42 AM »

Strange thing is, ZASto, The original circuit board fitted between my computer and the CNC has encoder plugs and the encoders were plugged into them. If you go back a few pages on this post you'll see the circuit diagram. Are you telling me that Mach3 made no use of that info, or that the encoder info was not fed back within that circuitry to fine tune the stepper to prevent stalling? I'm so confused.
Also, my 6 wire motors are configured into a 5 wire Unipolar manner. Should I change the wiring config to Bipolar? And should it then be series, half coil or parallel? I have to fully understand these concepts first to even make a choice.
Could you send a labelled diagram of your set up and all the functions it provides to the CNC? I need some visual input.

66

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 27, 2020, 11:14:10 PM »

Just to get my mind straight:

The 'Interface' is the device that is connects the 'Controller' to the computer via a parallel port, USB or ethernet cable, such as a BOB.

The 'Controller' is a collection of devices (hardware) that comprise circuitry that facilitates functions such as:

Limit and home switch inputs – more IO ports allows separate input of switches to help with troubleshooting.
E-Stop input
Stepper motor drives
Relays for Spindle On/Off - direction, Coolant, etc
Analog output for spindle speed
Probe – set tool height
MPG – manual pulse generator to manually move the axes
LASER

and there are 'Power Sources'.

Both the 'Interface' and the 'Controller' hardware has to be built to allow particular software such as Mach3 or 4, or any other chosen software.

The Computer, Power Sources, Interface and Controller have to be electrically isolated. In fact, there are Interface and Controller components and parts of their circuitry that should not have a common current flow. 'Energy or information can still be exchanged between the sections by (other) means such as capacitance, induction or electromagnetic waves, or by optical, acoustic or mechanical means' (wikipedia), and these 'means' are built into all the devices.

I would like to maintain all the functions my CNC has at present, inclusive of MPG, as a minimum. I'll also keep my motors and their Encoders as they seem to be working well at present. My router does not have a coolant facility, but who know, might need it in future.


Please advise which Windows O/S would be most stable for Mach3. I presently run on Vista, but maybe another would be more stable?

67

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 27, 2020, 07:36:58 PM »

Hello again MN300.

You speak from an assumed level of knowledge that I do not posses. This is fine by me, but that requires much research and homework on my part just to understand your terminology. To do so successfully, I would be asking quite some questions to consolidate my understanding and would like to have them answered individually, otherwise I'm left hanging ... that basically means mentorship on you part; would you be willing to do that?

68

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 27, 2020, 04:41:29 AM »

ZASto, I'm an absolute newby feeling my way blind in the dark.
Does this configuration support encoders and limit switches, and does it have good installation guides?

69

General Mach Discussion / Re: MaxNC MaxPath42 Motor specifications

« on: November 27, 2020, 04:00:37 AM »

No one seems to have info on these motors so I'm going to lock this post

70

General Mach Discussion / Re: Looking for good DIY controller kit supplier

« on: November 27, 2020, 03:58:31 AM »

Both trials with MaxNC Mach111 and Mach3 were unsuccessful for the X Axis. The problem is the circuitry. as all motors work well on the Y or Z channels apart from Limit Switch issues
I have decided to call it quits with this circuit board as the actual board is also damaged with the first Capacitor replacement.
It also seems that other people have had similar problems with  MaxNC circuitry ...... no wonder MaxNC went bust.
I've been flogging a dead horse now for some 10 months and it has been enough.
I want to have a CNC that actually works.

I'll start another post with the question: does anyone know of a good but not too expensive DIY contoller/driver for either my existing or new motors