bludworth cnc saw machine help

RBC said:
Randy

If you have 3 working axis, then you can make it run with the zylotex box. I still recommend the Gecko, but the steps you'll need to know to setup the Gecko, you can learn by getting the xylotex working.

First, you'll need to configure the motor output pins in Mach2 to match the corresponding driver circuits on the zylotex board. Here's a link to the Mach2 book. It's on the machsupport website under documentation.

http://www.machsupport.com/docs/Mach2Mill_6.11.pdf

Look at section 5, the initial configuration section. You will need to set the right pin locations for the zylotex board. I believe they are as follows, but you can check their website to be sure:

axis, step pin, direction pin
X, 3, 5
Y, 7, 9,
Z, 11, 13,
A, 15, 17,

You would normally use A for the spindle, but since it smoked you're most likely using the Z driver for it. If so, the output pins in Mach2 for the "Spindle" would need to be 11 and 13. The gecko's pinouts are different, so you'll have to do this all over again when you hook it up.

You need to make sure the motor tuning for the spindle is using 1600 steps per unit, and pick a maximum like 500 for the rpm. You will need to make the maximum pulley speed in the pulleys match the max rpm in your motor tuning. This is very important if you want your rpm's to be accurate.

I think that should do it.

By all means, read that entire Mach2 manual. Several times! It's where I learned a lot of what I know.
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he shouldnt have to reconfigure pin outs if he just drops the 540 xml in right?....wonder if the xml will work in mach 2?
 
LGSM3 said:
he shouldnt have to reconfigure pin outs if he just drops the 540 xml in right?....wonder if the xml will work in mach 2?
Click to expand...

I'll get mach 3. Sly has the exact machine....well almost.. He didn't smoke his card.

Royce, after I swapped the wires to another chip. ALL the steppers starting clicking constantly.

I guess this is kinda of good in a way. Not financially, but I am learning as I go.

I have all new motors, wires, gecko, and everything else on there way here...
 
pescadoman said:
There are no pulleys on the machine. I it direct drive with a solid coupler...
Click to expand...

You still have to tell Mach that your pulleys are 1 to 1, and what the max speed is.

What most aren't aware of is exactly how mach determines the pulse count for a particular rpm.

If you're max pulley speed is 1000, and you request 100, it will pulse the stepper at 10% of the max feed rate for that axis. If the max feed rate and the pulley max speed don't match, the actual spindle speed won't be right.

Jake

You're right about the xml, if it's already setup for step and direction spindle. I've never used a prefab xml so I don't have any idea how they come from Mach or the drive provider. I've always just worked through the parameters so I new I had things the way I wanted them.
 
Randy, there are two main differences between the controller you have and the G540. The first is the micro stepping. The controller you have breaks each of your stepper's 200 pulses per rev into 8 micro steps. The gecko uses 10 micro steps. This is just a math issue that we can help you with. The other is the correct current limiting set on both controllers. Your current controller uses a pot adjustment in the board and is already set. The gecko will need some resistors added externally to the drive based on the steppers current ratings. This is well documented however you will want the correct resistors in hand when you set up your new controller box.

Jim
 
Mc2 said:
Randy, there are two main differences between the controller you have and the G540. The first is the micro stepping. The controller you have breaks each of your stepper's 200 pulses per rev into 8 micro steps. The gecko uses 10 micro steps. This is just a math issue that we can help you with. The other is the correct current limiting set on both controllers. Your current controller uses a pot adjustment in the board and is already set. The gecko will need some resistors added externally to the drive based on the steppers current ratings. This is well documented however you will want the correct resistors in hand when you set up your new controller box.

Jim
Click to expand...

Fortunately hes got 3.5a motors and good cables on there way
 
pescadoman said:
The cables have matched resistors for the Gecko installed..:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Cool, then for the "Steps Per" on motor tuning of Mach 2 multiply that number by 1.25 to convert. That would be the original number divided by 8 and multiplied by 10. There are a couple other settings for the G540 but it is not hard to do. Does your new box have a built in relay. If so then your should be able to configure the saw to turn on and off with Mach.

Jim.
 
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