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Just taken a few pics of my new CNC controller I'm putting together. All the electronic boards, stepper drives and power supply are from Zapp Automation.
Left a little space for one of the CNC Controller cards that Zapp Automation
http://www.slidesandballscrews.com/c...l?cPath=64sell
but think I'm going to start with Mach 3 software first but I've not made my mind up yet.
Anyway if anyone has any comments let me know.
Ant
Looks nice and neat.
Looks like a Tempa case that does.. very simler to mine
It's a schnider electric cab. But it's just the same as rittal type cabinet.
Ant
Howmuch was the enclosure if you dont mind me asking? looks like atleast 100 quids worth. I wanted to use that type of enclosure for my drivers and BOB but they were realy expensive. ended up useing a PC tower :sad:
regards
Simon
Yep it was 100 for the enclosure I got it from CPC but you can buy them from a few places. Makes it really easy to mount everything. I'm just waiting for my din terminal blocks to arrive.
Ant
Try these people, not found any places any cheaper.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CMSB504020.html
Just looking at the CNC contoller card I'm going to purchase decided to go for a different card rather than running Mach3. What is a watchdog on a cnc contoller card? http://www.slidesandballscrews.com/c....html?cPath=64
Cheers
Ant
its the Enable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by antsals
As Gary says, i have this wired up to enable and disable my servo drives, have a look here http://www.edingcnc.com/index.php?pagina=producten this is where i got mine from. direct from bert himself. Very helpful person.
If you are thinking about buying one of those, contact me off list.
I have a new boxed up one for sale.
John S thanks for offer although I have already sorted it out.
Out of interest why are you not using it?
Ant
Bought it together with a load of other USB cards as part of an evaluation process.
Wasn't happy with the support from Bert at the time, don't know if it's changed and also my take on it was people wanted Mach as the front end for support and knowing where they were.
One example was homing, at the time when you went to home from somewhere in the job it moved X,Y, and Z all at the same time. If you were in a pocket the result was to smashed the tool into the side as it was moving.
We had hells own trying to explain the Bert it needed to move Z first then X and Y.
He did alter it but it was the process of getting it done that switched me off it.
This has been my worry around the knowledge / support. Like you say lots are using mach3 and the network of people's knowledge is there. I'm not sure what to do although the USB / ethernet connection are so much better.
I'm guessing your using mach3 then?
Cheers
Ant
Just a few more pics of current progress. Hoping to have the controller up and running within the next couple of weeks.
Ant
Do you like the CNC Controller card? Had you used Mach3 at all first? Do you think the controller is worth the money?
Cheers
Ant
Another couple of parts. The 25 pin units are pretty good because they allow for wiring and changing pin numbers easily. I have the the same units for the units between the breakout board and the stepper drive units.
Ant
One of the pictures wasn't too clear but you can see all the wiring better in this one.
Ant
http://youtu.be/ytfrhUjvWXA
Quick question.......I've just got my CPU5 Card and I have a quick question. When I measure with my multimeter between pins 14 and 23 so the spindle on-off output and ground.
I am connecting this to a relay but I'm intrested how this works because when I hit the ON button on the PC the voltage hits a perfect 6mv but when I turn the button off it blips around? Have a look at the video? Is this correct?
Cheers
Ant
Done a little more work on the controller today. Hopefully I should have it moving the machine before the end of the week assuming work doesn't take over my life again!
Ant
Happy days.....I got the spindle working via the inverter drive although I had to wire the signal through one of the relays on the breakout board. For some reason the inverter didn't like the signal directly from the CNC Controller.
If anyone is thinking of putting together a controller the CIB Breakout board and the CPU5 USB CNC Controller card combo seems a really good solution. This is my third controller and by far the best of all of them.
Still have to wire the stepper Motors, E-Stop and Home switches. (A job for the weekend)
One question when I shutdown the software / it crashes the spindle starts? Is there anything I can do to stop this as it could become slightly dangerous.
Cheers
Ant
It's been a while sorting a few other things but back onto the the controller.
I've done a few updates and removed the breakout board (ready for a different job), I replaced with solid state relays, had a few problems wiring in them in but worked it out after a while. Bert from Eding CNC the manufacturer of the CNC controller card put me in the right direction which was a great help.
Added a quick video on You tube of the machine axis moving http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6cq4EU6bqk, still need to put the cables in some conduit and also make a few guards for the motors....but getting there at last. Hopefully cutting metal on the machine before christmas.
Attachment 4848Attachment 4849Attachment 4850Attachment 4847
Cheers,
Ant
I've now run my first few parts on the machine.
It's been a while but here's what I ended up with:-
> Ended up buying the majority of the kit from Zapp Automation Gary from their was a great help.
> Was going to use Mach3 software but went with the Eding CNC card. I do have to say it's brilliant.
> I've now also installed a automatic tool length setter, that again is a great inclusion.
Anyway posted a few video's on Youtube so you can see how the machine performs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jvM-6BoEiI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi8eh-he9-M
A 'watchdog' is computer slang for a seperate timer circuit. Everytime you access the card it resets the watchdog timer. If the computer stops accessing the card the watchdog timer times out and presses the panic button.Quote:
Originally Posted by antsals
Antsals, ive got the same turret mill as you and have also been considering cncing this, i also have been using edings USBCNC for over a year now and i agree the software is very good and never misses a beat!
Have you any pics of the ball nut housings and how you fixed them?
Did you mention to Gary that you planned to put the motors out on stalks so they couldn't dump their excess heat in to the mill? :whistle:Quote:
Originally Posted by antsals
:loyal:Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin Hewitt
I think the *design* stems from the clock makers guild, all clocks are built on pillars like that. Probably has to have a bit of give to allow the lovejoy coupling to work?