Need Help (5 Axis CNC Circut)

[Barakathz]

Am new here and to CNC Controls.
I made a large 5 axis CNC Router machine and now working on the control circut. I have got a 5 axis ciruit from the net and i need help to get it right.

Please look at the attached Diaghram, I have connected the components as in the diagram and have few questions:

1- What is the function of the rest switch?
2- What is the function of the start switch?

Both of the above switch not functioning

3- On the c15 (relay card) there is (spindle on) connection, do i have to connect it to the spindle?

Thanks
Barak

[doorknob]

The circuit is designed so that it will not send signals through the breakout boards unless the EN input pin (at the upper right side of each board, which is shown connected to the blue wire) is connected to +5 volts. That is intended as a safety measure, to prevent the CNC stepper motor controls from being activated accidentally when the PC is powering up but is not under the control of Mach3 software.

The circuit uses a C4 Charge Pump Safety Board to apply that +5 volt signal to the EN pins of the breakout boards only when Mach3 is in control.

The Reset switch appears to be a manual override of the charge pump signal, which will permit the breakout boards to pass signals to the drivers even if the charge pump is not activated.

The way that the circuit is wired, the charge pump signal (and/or the reset switch signal) will only be passed through to the EN terminals of the breakout boards if the Stop/Manual Reset button connected to pin 10 of the LPT1 breakout board is engaged in the power on position. As far as interpreting pin 10 in Mach3, you would have to configure that within the software.

The Start button sends a signal to Mach3 on pin 15 of the breakout board connected to port LPT1. Some people use pin 15 for the emergency power off signal, but that should be configurable within Mach3.

The spindle output (normally open relay contacts) from the C15 could be used to switch the spindle power on and off. It is shown as being controlled by pin 16 of the LPT1 breakout board. Again, you can configure the mapping of pins to functions within Mach3.

[Barakathz]

Thanks a lot for your help and explanation. I have few doubts to be cleared to get it 100%.

Reset Switch:
I don't see any point of having the reset Switch.
In which cases the Charge pump to be override (activating the reset switch) or when to pass signals to the drivers if the charge pump is not activated?

If there is on good point of having this reset switch, can it be removed?
And what changes to be done to the wiring connection?

Start Switch:

The switch is configured within Mach3, but what this switch will activate?
I have connected the circuit and configured everything into Mach3. I haven't started the machine yet, I only checked the motors movement if signal is passed through by the calibration mode on Mach3. Motors were running even the start switch was in off position.

Thanks
Barak

[doorknob]

If you do not want to use the Reset switch, you should be able to just not connect it into the circuit. Leave the wires in place according to the diagram, because those wires are needed for the charge pump circuit.

As for the start switch, does your system have an emergency power off switch? Maybe in the diagram the start switch was intended to have the function of the emergency power off switch. I believe that you need to configure the emergency power off switch in Mach3 if you want to use it.

[Barakathz]

The emergency power off switch is connected to pin # 10 in the place of Stop/Man. Reset button and it is functioning.

The start button is connected to pin # 15 and configured into mach3 as Cycle start (OEM Code 1000) but it is not functioning as i said earlier:

I haven't started the machine yet, I only checked the motors movement if signal is passed through by the calibration mode on Mach3. Motors were running even the start switch was in off position.

Do i have to connect the emergency power off switch to pin # 15 and connect the stop switch to pin # 10 and configure it into mach3 as STOP (OEM Code 1003)?

Or just change the OEM Code to 1003 into mach3 for the switch on pin # 15?

Thanks

[doorknob]

I think that you can configure the pins to Mach3 whatever way you wish, but I am not an expert on Mach3.

You may get better information by posting your question in one of the Mach forums:

Mach Software (ArtSoft software) - CNCzone.com-The Largest Machinist Community on the net!

[Barakathz]

I appreciate your help. Thanks a lot