Electronics for New Machine + Chinese Spindle + VFD

[mturneruk]

Ok. So after some more testing with the UC CNC software i am still getting the odd reset during a cut. No crazy lost steps though which is good.
So I have decided I am going to bite the bullet and redesign a new bigger box for all the electronics, as I am sure the packed in proximity of everything is part of my problem.
At least now I can use the machine as is to make it.

I am planning to make the box out of 18mm birch ply as i have it.
I would ideally like to get the vfd in the same box, but with a significant internal shield to separate it from the sensitive stuff.
Also I am wondering whether my dust extractor which sits under my bench in fairly close proximity to the box could be causing me a noise problem as well.

Can anyone tell me what materials block noise? Or would you fail safe and just separate the VFD completely.
Would it also be sensible to separate and shield the mains stuff from the low voltage stuff ?
I assume wood doesn't do anything.

[komatias]

M,

you are in Bristol right? Would you like me to come and have a look? 4 eyes better that 2.

[mturneruk]

If you think you might be able to advise me on how to improve my set-up that would be great.
Where about's are you?

Thanks
Martin

[cropwell]

Can anyone tell me what materials block noise?

Conductive and earthed ones, that's why metal boxes are the norm. Ferro magnetic ones are best.

[mturneruk]

I ordered 3 rolls of copper shielding adhesive tape today.
My plan is to stick that all over the inside of my wooden box.

And possibly have metal shielding between the various internal sections as well.
Hopefully that will do the job.

[mturneruk]

Following a very kind visit from Komatias, he suggested that I may have a ground loop.
So before I go off building a new box I am going to to try his suggestions, and see if I can't get rid of my Gremlins that way.

However the machine is now working well enough to make these. My fist commission!



Thanks to all of you lovely people who helped me to get my machine going!

[komatias]

Dod you have a chance to sort your groundloop out?

[mturneruk]

Hey George.

I decided to run a little bit more to see how often the problem occurred and see if I could spot a pattern. E.g. Did it always happen under load ?

Well i have just run nearly 1/2 a million lines of GCode cutting a complex 3d model with 6mm and 3mm ball noses (in four batches) and I have not had one reset.
I was getting really adventurous on the feed towards the end of the job. Ended up running at over 4000 mm / Minute.

I will keep an eye on it for now and record when and if I get resets.
I will definitely run a separate bare earth wire to the machine through the dust collection PVC pipe to ensure static is not an issue and earth this to the machine as well. Then I can disconnect the shielding of the VFD cable at the machine end as you suggested.

One thing you said has definitely helped me and that is to make a note of my machines co-ordinates at my job Zero point.
This allows me to check that my machine is absolutely in the right place for each session of machining i do, and return to my zero point if I should get a reset. Very good idea.

Will keep you posted.
Thanks again.
Martin

[JAZZCNC]

One thing you said has definitely helped me and that is to make a note of my machines co-ordinates at my job Zero point.
This allows me to check that my machine is absolutely in the right place for each session of machining i do, and return to my zero point if I should get a reset. Very good idea.

If you have Home switch's then you shouldn't have to do that.? The control software should allow you to save the WORK offset before each Job then it's simple case of HOME the machine if you E-stop or Reset. That's the whole purpose of HOME switches so you can return and have multiple WORK offsets and easily go to them using Gcode.

No machine should be without HOME switches IMO they are priceless at times.