Hi,

I’m currently in the process of a Boxford VMC 260 mill retrofit and have hit a problem that I cannot confirm without possibly killing myself! Images of my dismantling and rebuild are at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk7Yuqzf


Background: I was given a Boxford mill working (sadly they couldn’t give me the 'pc' with it) a VMC 260mill with tool turret which I am converting to use 3x MA860H stepper drivers and the control board which came with it, so no smooth steppers here... (this is the controller which came with the package (but bought through eBay from savebase - cannot find link) http://www.aliexpress.com/item/FreeS...496345231.html

As I had the full working machine, I have decided to change the controllers but keep the Gemini speed controller for the spindle.
I drew out the circuit diagram down for the bits I need including the lighting and mist coolant pump, but in my haste, I didn’t write down the voltages of any logic side – I didn’t probe about before taking it apart.

The yaskawa relay contactor is something I am going to use to switch the directions of my spindle, and this works by just switching the poles over for the spindle. (Or I suppose I could just have it going forwards if I cannot figure it out)

I have worked out which of the pins are the input pins to switch and how it works, but have not worked out the input voltage for switching. Is it 18/22v or is it a mains input? I have a feeling its 18/22v (from the massive transformer) but don’t want to wire it up and get it wrong.

If someone can send me a wiring diagram for this or let me know how to wire up the switching correctly, that will be fab.

I’m going to hopefully end up with a switch that switches the relays on the existing relay board which controls the voltage going to the input pins of the contactor relay thing. but there may be an Arduino controlling timings etc.
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Another question I have is what suitable VFD can I use to control the Gemini? I know its 0-8v so was thinking just a potential divider would do, but others seem a bit more sophisticated. I'm thinking of using this http://www.diycnc.co.uk/spindleV4.pdf, would this be suitable?

The power would then go through a relay connected up to the main controller board so that the emergency stop would disconnect power to the spindle and the steppers.

I have been reading through the many links and pages for the Boxford threads, but not much luck on wiring the relays. I have the wiring diagram from the Boxford lathes but it doesn’t help with the voltages.

Any help or direction is appreciated (I hope this makes sense!)

Nathaniel Poate