Messages

111

SmoothStepper USB / Installed SS today and having a few problems

« on: May 20, 2009, 05:35:45 PM »

I installed a smooth stepper on my big lathe today and I am having a few problems getting a few things running. The machine is moving properly and seems much smoother when trying to run over 500IPM , I assume because I was able to do away with the electronic gearing in the drives.

I am unsure how to go about getting my spindle to work properly. I have a large VFD that was working properly pre SS , the spindle still comes on and spins in the proper direction at m3 and m4 but is only turning at aprox 30 rpms . Unsure how or what to config to get it to respond like it should.

I have a slotted disk generating a pulse as my spindle encoder , it now seems to only read 1 rpm when the spindle is turning .

The other issue I am having is mach is no longer sending the signal thru the par port to my plc to operate the tool changer. I am sure these are simple things to overcome, any help appreciated

112

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

« on: May 01, 2009, 10:41:24 AM »

mine is operating a 12 position tool changer operating a total of 5 relays , a brake and monitering a total of 14 prox sensors and as soon as I iron out the details will also be operating the automated tool setting probe

113

General Mach Discussion / Re: Renishaw tool setter, Macros and probing questions :) ADDED PICS

« on: April 27, 2009, 02:38:23 PM »

I am not sure about your part of the globe but "beaver" has a special meaning here in the states , what are you working on?

114

General Mach Discussion / Re: Renishaw tool setter, Macros and probing questions :) ADDED PICS

« on: April 27, 2009, 10:09:32 AM »

another aproach thats common is for the probe to be on an arm that pivots above the chuck . The ones I have seen are just a piece of steel tubing thats hinged and you swing it down by hand into a fixed, known position  . Touch off the tools and then when your done you swing the arm up out of the way

115

General Mach Discussion / Re: Renishaw tool setter, Macros and probing questions :) ADDED PICS

« on: April 27, 2009, 10:03:25 AM »

here is a close up pic of the probe, the tool contacts the square carbide block right in the middle of this pic .

116

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems threading on the lathe

« on: April 25, 2009, 10:21:50 AM »

So whats the best combination of hardware and software for lathe threading at this point ? I have both a single slot encoder disk and pickup as well as a qaud encoder with index pulse . I am running a cnc4pc breakout board and a smooth stepper , and not agaisnt rewiring etc to get the best posible setup for single point threading very basic single start threads

117

General Mach Discussion / Re: Renishaw tool setter, Macros and other probing questions

« on: April 25, 2009, 09:59:50 AM »

I havent had very much luck finding info on setting this up but here is a rundown on what needs to happen

The door right above the chuck is opened by an air cylinder that has a magnetic prox sensor at each end of its travel  . The signal needs to be sent to open the solenoid and allow the door to open and once a signal is present telling the plc the door is open a signal is sent to the second solenoid which acuates the large cylinder pushing the probe out thru the opening above the chuck , it has a D shaped rod so it cant rotate and bottoms out in the extended position , barely clearing the 12" chuck in the pic.  Once it reaches the end of its stroke it sends a signal which allows the rest of the process .
I need it to rotate to the tool called out and then aproach the tool setter from the two directions and enter the offset info in the tool table .

Once the tool is set the signal to retract the tool setter needs to be sent and when the pickup senses the tool setter has returned home it can then close the door.

I think I have a decent enough understanding of the PLC to read the 4 sensors in the air cylinders and control the solenoid but the rest of the setup is beyond me .

118

General Mach Discussion / Re: Renishaw tool setter, Macros and other probing questions

« on: April 25, 2009, 09:49:25 AM »

119

General Mach Discussion / Re: Renishaw tool setter, Macros and other probing questions

« on: April 25, 2009, 09:48:51 AM »

120

General Mach Discussion / Re: Renishaw tool setter, Macros and other probing questions

« on: April 25, 2009, 09:48:00 AM »

Hi Hood, took me a few days to take the pics ,  hope some of these help