Denford Novamill 1996 Conversion, Hints & Tips Appreciated

[Husky]

Ahh ok then.

So if I were to go for the motion controller and the stepper drivers, I'd be looking at something like:

Motion Controller:
Name - Ethernet Smoothstepper Motion control board bundle
Link - https://emvioeng.com/shop/product/ess-bundle/
Voltage - 5V
Cost - £175

Drivers:
Name - G251X 3.5A 50VDC Step motor
Link - http://www.charter-controls.com/prod...or-drive/1342/
Cost - 3x £60 = £180

Total: £355
The KStep KFlop route costs: $448 + tax (£306+tax)



OR, if I use a motion controller that works at 12V like the CSLabs CSM, then I can plug that into the existing stepper driver board.

Am I reading it's datasheet right? "Maximum voltage on in/out lines = 30VDC"?


So I'm staring at the cabinet and realise that I need to understand more before I go further... Anyone fancy helping me put names to the numbers? :)




Thanks again for the help!

[m_c]

Something like that. You'd probably also want a BoB to go with the ESS to make wiring easier. That bundle includes the required adapter leads, so you'd just need a BoB.

If you do a search over on the denford forum, there's a zip file with wiring diagrams. They probably won't be the specific ones for your machine, but they'll give you a good idea, especially since Denford usually used the same wire numbers for everything.

1 - Controller
2 - Stepper Drivers
3 - main power switch and most likely an input filter/choke
4 - Control relays. At a guess, there'll be safety guard interlock, spindle on, EStop relays. They should be marked
5 - Not sure. Looks like it plugs into the Controller, so could be some kind of interface board. Where do the wires go?
6 - Terminal strips/fuses.
7 - IIRC it's some form of power supply filter
8 - Spindle drive board
9 - Transformer for the controller/stepper drivers (which has reminded 2 also handles the power supplies)
10 - choke for the spindle motor

[Husky]

Thanks once again, m_c. I really do owe you a beer or two for taking the time to help!

5 - Not sure. Looks like it plugs into the Controller, so could be some kind of interface board. Where do the wires go?

It has a ribbon cable going to the Motion controller, it only has the two wires coming in at the bottom.

---

I'm currently looking at these options:

KFLOP & KSTEP Bought in the US and stuffed in my case for £333.
SmoothStepper & 3x G251X 3.5A 50VDC Step motor drive Bought in the UK for £370
CSLABS CSM Bought in the UK £250. Still don't know if I can use this direct with the existing stepper board?

As much as I really want to go for the KFLOP as it looks like a neat package at a decent price... I would really want to buy from the UK if I can so I have easy support if something is faulty or goes wrong.

The next option would be the CSlabs box, that is if it will work with the existing drivers which I'm still not sure on.

Finally at the more expensive end of the spectrum there's the SmoothStepper, can buy from the UK and it seems a lot of people use them.


I might head over the the Denford forum and ask there now I know a bit more... Thanks :) I'll keep you updated.

EDIT: Found the correct page referencing the layout.

[m_c]

Something tells me that extra board could be for the 0-10V for the spindle drive, with the big ribbon cable simply being convenient for connecting things.

I've got to admit, I do have concerns for if any of my Dynomotion stuff dies, as delivery usually takes a couple weeks or so, mostly due to Customs clearance. However, I've not yet killed anything, and I do currently have a spare KFlop/Kanalog/Konnect bundle.

[dodgygeeza]

the step and direction signals on the cslabs controller are 5V. just the outputs are up to 30v.
Personally i would still go for the cslabs controller

[John S]

Go for some of the leadshine M542's, they are cheaper and better than the Gecko drives and if you do get trouble you can get a replacement fast.
If you fancy going the Kflop route, contact me as I have a brand new board here, never fitted to anything.

The leafboy board is a BoB and not a motion controller. They are very good. Sieg have been fitting these in thier KX series CNC mills for about 5 years and AFAIK only one failure which was a wiring fault anyway.