setting axis A in spindle mode

[ladybreaker]

Hello to all Artsoft Guru,

Couple years ago I purchased a CNC6040 in which I'm very please with it and Have managed to do some project with it and with some assistance from this forum.

Now I need to reduce the OD of a small aluminum tube and I do not what to pay some one to do it if possible, so what I'm asking is is it possible to set the A axis " in which I never used" to as a spindle,able to set a speed rotation therefore I can use the chuck of the A axis to hold the tube and use the main spindle to reduce and cut.
I hope I explained my need correctly and I apologies if I'm not good in technical terminology.

Hope someone can help

Thank you

[magicniner]

If it's not a documented feature then the software doesn't support it, I say this because the generic unbranded 6040 machines are far from "top end" "fully featured" bits of equipment and "Spindle Mode" for an A Axis isn't a cheap thing to support.

[john swift]

How long does the tube need to be ?

If its short enough and it will fit into the spindles collet chuck
you may be able to turn it down by mounting a lathe tool and holder on the table

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrlY8qEmO3I

John

[ladybreaker]

Thank you for your reply but I thought to that already unfortunately my spindle only taker ER20 collet and my tube Is 15mm OD.
But I came with an alternative idea. I just ordered a Stepper Motor Controller PWM Pulse Signal Generator in which I can control the speed of the A axis manually
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=stxFDjTuzkA

[john swift]

Hi Ladybreaker

do you have the pulse generator ?

and did you get any instructions with the board ?

two possible ways of connecting the pulse generator to the stepper driver

25224
25225

25226


are you fitting the pulse generator inside of your CNC control box as a permanent fixture

if your connection to the control is via the parallel printer port
its possible to make a modified printer cable to make a temporary connection between the pulse generator and the CNC control box

to save soldering 25 wires
connect an IDC plug and socket to a ribbon cable

25227
25228

then cut a ground wire and the step & direction wires for the 4th axis from the plug
then connect the pulse generator to the 25 way socket

John

[ladybreaker]

25229

I'm very please with mine , it was strait forward and it worked , yes i do intend to fit the pulse generator inside my existing cnc box with the preset at the rear and two holes on the side to get access to the two push switches.

I used my existing motor controller which is a JP-1635A as you can see from the photo, I used the same connection from my controller to the pulse generator 5V P+ DR EN.

[john swift]

Hi

I see the pulse generator board you have bought
has a wide range of Power supply voltage: 15-160V / 5-12V

so it can be powered by the same supply as the stepper driver which simplifies things

John

[magicniner]

If you make 6mm holes for switch access you can make neat little Top-Hat shaped buttons to fit from the inside of the case prior to fixing the pulse generator, it makes the job neat, the buttons easy to access and leaves no ingress for chips and muck.

[Sven]

It can be done but it is not that easy.

A friend helped me setting up my 4th axis to run in index as well as spindle in linuxcnc, the latter demonstrated here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llFV0x9cLog

[magicniner]

It can be done but it is not that easy.

Changing the motion controller to one which supports the use of a rotary axis as a spindle works huh?

I left my surprised face at home! :D