Ready Steady Eddy

[Boyan Silyavski]

Arent these 2 similar to what you have been trying to do? the secon one usualy is already integrated in your BOB.

[EddyCurrent]

Thanks silyavski they look good products, the truth is because I knew nothing regarding cnc at the start I did not research enough products before deciding what to buy. If I was starting again it would probably be a bit different.
I have however reached a point where I am happy with how it is going.

[EddyCurrent]

One problem with not creating a proper specification is that you don't know when the job is finished, however I'm sure I've dicked about with this panel far too long so I'm saying this is the 'as built' version.
I started a thread about using VBscript but was directed by Jazzcnc to look at Brains so I did and was pleased with the results.
Mach3 Brains have been used for the control panel pushbuttons and the control panel red led for alarm indication.
I used 'output 1' from Mach3 which is configured to 'pin 14' of the breakout board and constructed a relay using one 2k2 resistor in series with the base of a BD679 (overkill but I already had some). The Mach3 Brain logic then controls output to this solid state relay which in turn controls the red led.
I also revisited the Emergency stop circuit and the Stop / Pause ' Reset functions, they now operate as described below.
Attached are the schematics and in the Zip file are the Mach3 Brains for pushbuttons and alarm indication also a spreadsheet showing the logic used.

Emergency Stop circuit
consists of 2 emergency stop buttons, one machine mounted, one control panel mounted, machine limit switches, VFD fault relay.
Upon activation of the E/stop;
1. The VFD uses special emergency stop ramp (faster than normal stop ramp) and after 6 seconds it's STO function is activated via the PILZ relay and K5
2. K1 is de-energised removing power to the AM882 drivers
3. E/Stop signal sent to Mach3, charge pump stops and breakout board uses 'enable' output to disable all outputs to AM882's and spindle.

'Stop'
Stops operation of machine by de-energising K3, sending Mach3 a 'stop' signal, also stops the VFD by removing the RUN signal.
Can be activated by;
1. using control panel red push button
2. any AM882 going into alarm

'Pause'
Pauses operation by de-energising K4, sending a 'FeedHold' signal to Mach3
can be activated by;
1. using control panel blue push button
2. spindle over temperature switch.
3. Any AM882 going into alarm will de-energise K4 because it's going to stop the machine in any case. The Mach3 Brain uses K3,K4 logic for alarm indication.
If the spindle is required to keep turning then a link can be connected as shown in the schematic diagram.

'Reset'
Resets the PILZ emergency stop relay also K3 and K4 via green push button.
1. If the machine has just been switched on the green pushbutton will reset the PILZ relay and K3, K4, sends Mach3 a 'reset' signal
2. If the machine has been 'paused' the green push button will reset K4 and send Mach3 a 'Cycle Start' signal.
3. If the machine has been 'stopped' the green push button will reset K3 and wait for user intervention to restart via Mach3 screen.


green led (power on)
indicates the PILZ emergency stop relay is energised

red led (alarm/fault)
provides indication by means of flashing at different rates for;

E/Stop was pressed
'Stop' initiated from Mach3
'FeedHold' initiated from Mach3
'Stop' initiated from Control Panel
'FeedHold' initiated from Control Panel
AM882 Driver in fault

[JAZZCNC]

It's looking good Eddy and Massive OTT for DIY thou I'm struggling to find a Limit override.? . . . You'll need this to back off the Limits when tripped.!

[EddyCurrent]

It's looking good Eddy and Massive OTT for DIY thou I'm struggling to find a Limit override.? . . . You'll need this to back off the Limits when tripped.!

Thanks but surely it's not massively OTT ?. Regarding limits, it's not going to hit the limits

[JAZZCNC]

Thanks but surely it's not massively OTT ?.

IMO and in industry No but Compared to most DIY builds then yes it is OTT.!!. . . . . .Find me another build that's using Brains Etc to watch inputs.? Most don't even have or know what a brain is let alone how to make one control anything..Lol

Regarding limits, it's not going to hit the limits

If small machine I'll give you 2 days Max before you trip a limit. .. Lol

[EddyCurrent]

Got most of the frame tacked up this week just using small stick welder ready for MIG welding ASAP.
It's taken 18 metres of 50x50 box section and about 5m of 100x50 box, plus some 50x10 and 30x6 flat bar, the wife is going to struggle getting into the van.
Pictures to follow shortly I hope.
It also confirmed something I already knew and that is, the only metal I like playing with is when it's coming through my headphones

[EddyCurrent]

The frame so far, don't be zooming in on the bird shite welds, it's holding together fine until I get it to the MIG welder.
Only bits missing are the two top 100x50 box sections that will carry the rails, these bolt onto the 8 pieces of flat plate and hence adjustable.
You can see my vast work area, also pic of the spindle.

[GTJim]

That is looking like one very sturdy frame. Very nice

[mekanik]

Very nice Eddy