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Author Topic: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??  (Read 3004 times)

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Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« on: September 29, 2018, 02:56:30 PM »
Hello,

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I have been using Mach 3 for about 4 months now - starting with a cnc mill and now I am finalizing a cnc mini lathe.

My question is regarding the cnc minilathe spindle index. I am using a MKX-IV control board (USB) and have the X and Z axes working correctly. I installed a NPN hall effect sensor and magnet for the spindle speed sensor, and have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to get a stable spindle speed readout out of mach. When checking the actual electronics, I have a clean, stable frequency as measured from the sensor. But Mach 3 reports a spindle speed only in increments of 600 rpm (going up to 1200, 1800, etc as I increase spindle speed). If I check the 'Spindle Speed Averaging Box' then I will get different spindle speeds that seem semi-accurate (i.e. 536, 640, and any other integer), but the speeds bounce around a lot. In case it is important - I am using a licensed Mach 3 and not demo version.

I'll keep working on it but feel like I've checked everything. My one hope is that I noticed someone else with this same 600 rpm increment issue using an MKX-IV board. It didn't appear that the issue was resolved though. I'm attaching my Mach3 Turn xml file in case that helps any diagnosis.

Thank you for any suggestions and/or comments.

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Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2018, 03:02:33 AM »
Config menu then General Config. Far right of the page you will see Index Debounce, set that to zero and see if it helps.

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Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2018, 03:04:53 AM »
Just noticed it is a USB controller you have so likely that will not make any difference. I am not familiar with the USB controller you have but there may be a similar setting in the plugin.
Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2018, 06:36:48 AM »
Thank you for the help. Yep I've already tried setting the index debounce to 0 (and many other values). I've attached a screenshot of my plugin settings - I've played a bit with these as well but don't see anything that would relate to this issue.

I may be able to get a refund for this board and get a new one. I was really planning on threading abilities.

Can you recommend a couple of Mach3 compatible boards that interface via USB? I guess Ethernet may also work for me but I've used USB in the past.

Thank you again,
Steve
Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2018, 06:37:55 AM »
Attached is the plugin screenshot...

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Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2018, 07:33:25 AM »
USB or Ethernet SmoothStepper work well.
Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2018, 09:14:15 AM »
Thank you very much for the advice. I may indeed switch to a SmoothStepper as it seems like a better long term solution.

I'll update this post when I figure out more about how to make my setup work correctly.
Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2019, 12:28:41 PM »
Hi.
I have a slightly newer board from this manufacturer, and a very similar problem.
My breakout board is XHC MKx-ET (4axis, ethernet, ver. V5.914)
For me, the resolution of the spindle is 60.
 When spindle is turn off, I have 0, when I slowly increase the speed, I immediately have 60 then 120, 180,240.

Changing the impulses per rotation in the plugin does not change anything, I have probably tried all the options.
I was trying diferent computer, ald three diferent sensor ( magnetic and optics)

Have you solved your problem?
Did you advertise the device?
Can you suggest something?
Re: Mach 3 - Spindle index speed reads 600, 1200, 1800 etc ??
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2019, 01:40:38 PM »
Hi,

I never fixed this problem. My solution was to return the XHC controller board and get a refund. I then purchased a SmoothStepper which essentially fixed all of my issues regarding the spindle sensor.

Hope this helps,
Steve