Delta 20 4 axis

[dingo0722]

Has anyone gotten a delta 20 to run a 4th axis. I have a Baldor UM motor controller which has provisions for a 4th axis in its open chassis and it even has the wires all set going from the dynapath to the where the 4th axis card would go. We are planning on building our own 4th axis with a Baldor servo with plans to have the setup rotate to specific angles and lock. Does the 4th axis just require an A code for angular positioning? Just looking to see if anyone has any experience with this that can give any guidance before we begin building the set up

[elnerdo]

I've wired mine up for the 4th but dont have a 4th to try it. Most of the servo chassis had the spare slot for the 4th, but the controller doesn't have it available. At least from what I've seen.

If you pull your servo transducer board it should say 5 axis if it has the capacity to run a 4th axis. One of the axes is dedicated to the spindle which is why it needs 5 to run 4. I'm sure this varies somewhat depening on the age of the controller but thats what I remember.

There are two ways to go with the wiring, one as indexer only, and the other as a full contouring 4th. With or without brake.

[dingo0722]

Originally Posted by elnerdo I've wired mine up for the 4th but dont have a 4th to try it. Most of the servo chassis had the spare slot for the 4th, but the controller doesn't have it available. At least from what I've seen. If you pull your servo transducer board it should say 5 axis if it has the capacity to run a 4th axis. One of the axes is dedicated to the spindle which is why it needs 5 to run 4. I'm sure this varies somewhat depening on the age of the controller but thats what I remember. There are two ways to go with the wiring, one as indexer only, and the other as a full contouring 4th. With or without brake.

Well on the user console there is a spot for a rotation axis. I was up at the company that built the machine yesterday and they said they have installed a lot of 4th axis on delta 20 mills back in the day. On the actual controller, what/where should I look to verify it has the 4th axis capability?

[cncserveng]

If the 4th axis is not shown on the display as a A0.000 for example, it is not active and needs the option bit setting. Then you can reference the axis and program Ax.xxx to whatever angle you need. It the 4th axis isn't recognised you will get an alarm.

[elnerdo]

the machine should have a connector to plug the 4th axis in when its needed. that would probably be the most telling feature. whats actually needed to install one is a 5 axis transducer card (in the controller) and then an additional servo amplifier card in the card rack. the rest is just wiring really.