CNCBrain users

[turmite]

I think it would be a good idea for those that have the Brain to post here. If you have it running, shout out. Oem guys, we would welcome any input from you as well.

Mike

[Al_The_Man]

Apparently not many have it running?
It still seems to be a product in the works?
I would very much like to see some feed back from a user or integrator.
I was originally under the impression that the Brain was going to close the PID loop? This would take the burden off the drives and allow the use of non-intelligent drives with analogue control, which apparently is now extra to implement?
Extra electronics required for differential encoders?
Also it appears that break out box of some kind is required for I/O and encoders etc.
I originally assumed this would be an almost self contained CNC controller, Unless I have it wrong?
The web page for the Brain still seems to have problems with Firefox so it is hard to get a true picture of the full specifications and features.
Al.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man Apparently not many have it running? It still seems to be a product in the works? Al it is true that individual users don't seem to be out there, but there are some oem/retrofitters that have it running.....they just don't seem to want to give any info out. I know because I have ask! I would very much like to see some feed back from a user or integrator. I was originally under the impression that the Brain was going to close the PID loop? This would take the burden off the drives and allow the use of non-intelligent drives with analogue control, which apparently is now extra to implement? Extra electronics required for differential encoders? Also it appears that break out box of some kind is required for I/O and encoders etc. The Brain Box itself has all the connectors needed for encoders, and some i/o, but as to how many i/o, I can't answer. I know there is a hidden panel of pins that are on the inside of the box that can be accessed I originally assumed this would be an almost self contained CNC controller, Unless I have it wrong? The web page for the Brain still seems to have problems with Firefox so it is hard to get a true picture of the full specifications and features. Al.

I wish I could give you better answers, but I am still at the trying to get really long linear scales set up.

Mike

[dirtdiggler]

With all due respect to how busy Bruce and his team are right now, It would be great if he could answer some very basic questions people have. I posted on the CNCBrain forum but have no answers yet. I'm beginning to wonder if there is just not going to be enough support for this product moving forward.

Al, I have the same question regarding the I/O section and VFD control. To me that's the deal maker or breaker. Here is my question copied from the forum:



I have some simple questions regarding I/O setup.

To start, I have several things I want to control with the CNCBrain.

-Mist
-Flood
-VFD
-Oil (lubrication for ways and screws)
-Solenoid air brake
-Solenoid shive gear change


All of these I can trigger using separate relays.

Now, is there a way I can add more relay control triggers into the software to control the above? These would be similar functions to mist and flood options.

Is this something that anyone can add to the software or do you need to be a programmer to do this?

Also, can I control the speed of a VFD from the CNCBrain or do I need a DAC board to interface it?

Thanks for your help

[pzzamakr1980]

If you look under the input output video it gives a fair explanation of how to set up I/O. There are two db25 ports on the front of the Brain Box that emulate regular parallel ports. If you watch the video on IO it gives an explanation and you would wire up your IO's to that port just like any other DB25 port. If you feel that a BB is necessary that would be up to you. You could use a very simple BB that is exactly that and nothing more. And yes, a relay would still need to be used for a variety of add-ons since the Brain's port is simply emulating a DB25 and does not have relays or anything else built in. The software already has controls for this stuff built in but if you wanted, you could add any functionality that is not there already with some programming. But for everything basic (and a lot of complex stuff) it is already in the software.

The VFD I don't know about hardware wise, but software wise there are provisions for spindle setup.

Also, there are no issues with my Firefox/Navigator/Safari at all. The webpage displays perfectly fine.

[dirtdiggler]

Hi pzzamakr1980,

Thanks for the info. I have watched the videos over and over and there are still details that are a bit vague as far as setup goes. I have the general idea though.

Regarding the I/O out for relays, how easy it is to assign extra I/O out functions to the extra pins that are on the board ? For instance, if I wanted two separate 'coolant' buttons.

Just out of curiosity what would be the point of a breakout board connected to the CNCBrain? What does it solve?

The site works for me with Firefox but I do have some overlap of the menu items.

[pzzamakr1980]

With two seperate DB25 pinout you have many pins that are setup automatically as an out that will trigger a relay when activated.

The BB board would be useful if you didnt want to have the hassle of soldering a connector with all of the extra stuff you might add such as coolant, mist, etc. The BB would allow you to just screw the wire into the terminal on the BB and remove it anytime you wanted.

[kmcwhq]

Seems like an update is in order here......
Things sure seem quiet on the CNC Brain, although I assume there are doings in the background.....

dk

[Larken]

Originally Posted by turmite I wish I could give you better answers, but I am still at the trying to get really long linear scales set up. Mike

But how accurate can those scales be ? Anything with a belt is not accurate.

A steel rack mounted on the machine would be better. And a calibration correction table in SW would help with linearity.

[dirtdiggler]

Any updates?
It's awfully quiet in here lately.

[kmcwhq]

I guess I'm surprised at how things dropped off the cliff.
Without some word of development progress it seems like things have been abandoned. I only takes a couple minutes to post a few words and news even once a week....

Then again, I was at an auction yesterday, and a 1996 Mazak VMC (24 tools, 20HP, about 18x16x18 travels) fully functional and powered up, went for $5500.....
Hard to buy motors and drives and hardware for that price.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by Larken But how accurate can those scales be ? Anything with a belt is not accurate. A steel rack mounted on the machine would be better. And a calibration correction table in SW would help with linearity.

Hi Larken,

The accuracy of the belts as opposed to the rack is the belts teeth mesh with much more contact area than a rack and pinion. The accuracy is a combination of the large contact area and the accuracy of your rotary encoder used to read the tics while being driven with the belts.

kmcwhq did you buy that Mazak? I would love to find one that had a 40" table that someone wanted to give away! I mean, if I am going to dream, I might as well dream big!

Mike