Emco PC120 Turn

**cropwell** · 01-05-2017

I would only add that my experience of a charge pump on a Chinese BoB with no worthwhile knowledgeable support coming from the supplier (in Devon), I ended up disabling it and have a switch for my spindle (so I can change a tool without losing another finger end) and a switch for the air blower.

That was when I first started using Mach3, I probably could figure out how to enable it properly now, but it isn't on the BoBs I use now and I have got used to being without it

Cheers,

Rob

**Chaz** · 27-06-2017

My niggles continue. Latest one is really odd. After replacing my blown PSU, Ive had an el cheapo die and 2nd one seems to be holding up.

Z (stepper motor) moves when driven at slow feedrate. At higher feedrates it doesnt have torque and whilst it makes a noise, it doesnt move. I swapped the connectors, problem moved, so thought it was the connectors / BOB. However later when I tested it was inconsistent.

How do I test if I am getting the correct step / dir to each drive? Taking the steppers off is a pain, finding it difficult to figure out what else it could be. Wiring looks OK.

I did notice that a CSS value moves when I move one of the axis, turns out this is constant speed so should be OK. Anything else I Can look at? I dont like / trust these cheap controllers however I dont want to spend on the machine as Ill sell it at some point and get something larger for my needs (or just build one).

**Chaz** · 28-06-2017

Ok fixed.

I suspected the movement distance didn't look right. Turns out when I moved the 24V PSU and I had reconnected the drives, I had bumped a dipswitch on the drive which changed the steps.

Compared the drives, changed, sorted.

**Chaz** · 10-08-2017

So, since I have changed my PSU, my steppers dont seem to want to perform. It could be a cheap PSU however not sure.

If I am going to add in another PSU, should I try and increase the voltage? I cant see the exact number, I cant find these drives anywhere - but lets assume it will take 48V DC. I also need to check if the current settings are correct for the specific voltage. Currently everything runs off a 24V 10A supply.

Would it be 'good practice' to try and get the voltage as high as possible?

**Clive S** · 10-08-2017

Chaz its hard to see but if you look on the driver it gives the max voltage at bottom RH side (48V?) if so you could run them at say about 36V. Do yourself a favour and buy some decent drives like AM882 and run them at a higher voltage.

Also you don't say what PS you are using switch mode are not good for steppers.

**Chaz** · 10-08-2017

Originally Posted by Clive S

Chaz its hard to see but if you look on the driver it gives the max voltage at bottom RH side (48V?) if so you could run them at say about 36V. Do yourself a favour and buy some decent drives like AM882 and run them at a higher voltage.

Also you don't say what PS you are using switch mode are not good for steppers.

Ye, possibly around 50V.

They did work well before the previous set of PSUs died. The current PSU is one of them el cheapo ebay ones, I presume they are SMPS.

Id like to sell the lathe but need it to be 100% reliable before I do. Any suggestions on what PSU would suit if I was just going to upgrade this? Lets assume 36 or 48V max.

lll take a look at the AM882 anyways.

Thanks

**Chaz** · 10-08-2017

My best bet is probably something like this.

http://www.zappautomation.co.uk/elec...-supply-7.html

Move the drive power to this, leave the 24V supply to do the logic stuff only.

**Gary** · 10-08-2017

This driver is a three phase driver (For Three phase stepper motors) Looking at the part number it implies that the maximum voltage is 80V DC and the current is 6.0 A.
3 = three phase
M = Motor driver
8 = Max voltage (80V)
60 = 6.0 A maximum current.

This is the typical makeup of the part numbers.

Originally Posted by Chaz

Ye, possibly around 50V.

They did work well before the previous set of PSUs died. The current PSU is one of them el cheapo ebay ones, I presume they are SMPS.

Id like to sell the lathe but need it to be 100% reliable before I do. Any suggestions on what PSU would suit if I was just going to upgrade this? Lets assume 36 or 48V max.

lll take a look at the AM882 anyways.

Thanks