I'm having a bit of a problem. In parallel port mode my spindle motor comes on manually and when instructed to in the gcode. Now with the smoothstepper I can manually turn the spindle on but it won't work when instructed in the gcode. All settings in the pin and ports config are set the same. Am I missing a setting somewhere?  

When you say 'manually' what do you mean? Your can click on the 'Spindle' on button or hit 'F5' and you can turn it on/off? In the SS configuration how do you have the Spindle set up (Relay/none) how is your spindle configured in the Ports&Pins 'Spindle' Tab?

Hi Jeff. Yes, I can click the spindle button on the Mach screen and the motor will turn on/off but will not when the gcode calls it out. As for the SS configuration, I don't know what it is set at since someone else has installed and configured it for me. I can't remember the spindle settings in the Ports & Pins tab off hand but I will post that info today after I get home from work. Thanks

Here is the Ports & Pins setup. I'll check the SS configuration when I get home from work. Thanks

The spindle configuration in SS is checked on relay/none. I tried checking the PWM and it works when commanded but the RPMs are all over the place.

So you have a PWM controlled spindle?

Yes it is.

Hello everyone,

I need some advice on Spindle Control!

I am hesitating wether to use PWM or STEP/DIR output for spindle control.
I will have to make 0-10V output from either of them, so interfacing circuit will be needed, if I make one, the circuit itself will be no problem.

BUT: From SS or from MACH point of view I have no idea...
Which one would you choose, is there a clear advantage of one over the other? (more problem free operation, less bugs, more stable output, whatsoever) differences, pros contras

For additional info, the Freq. converter of the spindle has PID control availability, so MACH only needs to give control signal, no need for speed feedback inside MACH. If I feedback to MACH index signal, it will be only for DRO and maybe Synch for threading... (if this feature will work one day)

Hi,

With the smooth Stepper there is very little differece between PWM and Step/Dir for spindle control. The good thing about the SS is that you can use  high PWM frequency which help with noise immunity over the Step/Dir method.

Have a look at the DigiSpeed DC-05. It has been specifically designed for devices such as the SmoothStepper.

http://homanndesigns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=38

Cheers,

Peter.

Hi,

So I have decided now to go for the PWM Spindle control, one question solved

Semi-OFF Topic:

However, I do not know if anyone can help with this:

My Spindle controller has 4 operating modes, and I do not know which one to choose, as tech. manual does not describe the exact differences of these modes:

-Mode for Constant Torque applications
-Mode for Variable Torque applications
-Mode for Constant Torque applications with sensorless flux vector control
-Mode for Variable Torque applications with Energy saving

This is a TELEMECHANIQUE Dirve, ALIVTAR series...
ANyone has an idea, or at least whom to ask? (Or should I try to contact manufacturer? but it is an old model)

*** GOt some info, spindles should be constant torque application... ***