X2 Spindle Speed Proximity Sensor Placement

[Steoh]

I'm wondering if anybody knows the best place to position a proximity sensor on the X2 to measure spindle speed. I've got all the wiring side worked out so the pulses can be fed into my G540 and passed onto Mach 3, but I have no idea about placement for the sensor. If anybody has a picture they could share that would be great for us visual-learners, or a description would be gratefully accepted in absense of photo(s). I've seen 2 types of sensors, one is a barrel-shaped design, and the other is a rectangular 'pickup' shape. This is one I've been looking at...

SN04-P 5mm Proximity Sensor Square Approach Switch New (eBay item 160528366582 end time 06-Feb-11 08:02:55 AEDST) : Business Industrial

Thanks,

Steph

[hoss2006]

I put mine below the head in my modified accessory bracket.
X2 cnc finished for now maybe

There's more on this page and the 2 after with adams and toms versions.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht..._maybe-60.html
J. Rollet fit one into his belt drive which makes for a nice clean install.
http://www.hossmachine.info/BeltDrive.pdf
Hoss

[Steoh]

Thanks Hoss,
The ones I could see in those links were really well engineered. I was hoping there was a more basic method of mounting the sensor? Wishful thinking I guess. I couldn't find anything in the "X2 cnc finished" thread? I guess it will have to become a future project...

Steph

[Steoh]

OK, I gave it a bit more thought, and I can see that it really wouldn't be hard to fit this into the Steele Belt Drive conversion base plate and spindle pulley. I've found a suitable rectangular flat package inductive proximity sensor with oil resistance cable attached, but I just want to check that PNP NO is the correct type? I'm 99.99% sure it is.

[TXFred]

Before you go too far, have a look at this spindle tach for Mach3. I found this last night while looking at their pendants.

It's USB, so wiring is easy.
Mounting is also easy, it just needs a single threaded hole to mount.
And it's a reflective sensor, so you just paint part of your spindle 1/2 black and 1/2 white.

At $39, it may cost more than other options, but it appears to make up for it in simplicity.

vistaCNC

Frederic

(Disclaimer: I don't work for them, sell them, profit from them, or use them, but I will probably buy one at some point.)

[Steoh]

Thanks Fred, that's a good option, for sure.