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Spindle Controls
« on: April 10, 2015, 09:57:06 AM »
HI.  I'm new to CNC and Mach3, and I have just started cutting my first few projects.  My design software is Aspire, and I'm or sure if this is controlled by Aspire or Mach.  When I start my program, the machine goes to the start point and the spindle starts.  The problem is that the spindle is not nearly up to full speed before it engages the wood.  Is this strictly a G-code issue generated my Aspire that can be helped by making my start point further away from the wood, or is this something that I can adjust in Mach?  Do I need to start the spindle manually in Mach before I run the program?

Also, at the end of a program, is the spindle supposed to shut down on it own, or do you have to stop it manually?  Mine doesn't stop.  I'm standing right there, so it's not a big deal to hit the red button, but it would be nice if it shut down on it's own at the end of a run.

Thanks.

Offline ger21

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Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2015, 01:18:06 PM »
In Mach3, Ports and Pins, Spindle tab, there's a CW spin up delay. Put however many seconds of delay you want there, and After the spindle starts, Mach3 will wait that long before the machine starts moving.

As for stopping the spindle, the g-code should have an M5 at the end to stop it. Does it?
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2015, 07:32:51 PM »
Thanks for the reply.  I found the delay,and the should solve my starting issue.

As for the stopping, I do not have an M5 at the end of the g-code.  There is only an M30.

Offline ger21

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Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2015, 08:05:32 PM »
You need an M5 at the end to stop the spindle.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2015, 08:21:16 PM »
How is that typically generated in the g-code?  Mach configuration?  Manually entered in g-code?  Tool path generating software?

Offline RICH

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Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2015, 10:21:06 PM »
Software - Well the post processor would put in the gcode file if you told it to do so normaly. Not familar with Aspire
so can't be specific.
Manually - You should check if it's in the code, and if not , then manualy  add the M5 where you want it by editing the Gcode file.
Configuration - check "Turn Off Spindle" option at program end /M30.

RICH

Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2015, 10:01:11 AM »
Aspire has a post processor editor that will allow you to edit your Mach processor, I haven't had to use it for a while but the instructions to insert an M call is well documented on the Vectric website.
Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2015, 10:04:57 AM »
Thanks, Rich.  I found the "turn off spindle" in Mach and checked the box.  I opened a file to see if it would add an M5 at the end, but it didn't.  I haven't run a program, so I wasn't sure it that was the fix or not.

I should be good to go with my spindle start delay and stop at the end.

Offline ger21

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Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2015, 11:40:25 AM »
In Aspire, go to file> open application data folder.
Go to the PostP folder and find the post processor you're using, and open it in Notepad.
At the end of the file, you should see something like this.

begin FOOTER

"[N]G00[ZH]"
"[N]G00[XH][YH]"
"[N]M09"
"[N]M30"

Add another line for the M5 so it looks like this:

begin FOOTER

"[N]G00[ZH]"
"[N]G00[XH][YH]"
"[N]M5"
"[N]M09"
"[N]M30"

Then just save the file.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Spindle Controls
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2015, 09:41:05 AM »
I delayed my CW delay by 5 seconds and checked in the "turn off spindle" at M30, and it worked perfectly.  Two problems solved.

Should I still get in the habit of putting an M5 in my g-code manually as backup?