X3 Spindle Control

[mikemill]

I have lost control of spindle on my X3, spindle just stopped in the middle of a cut. Tried the spindle contol on Mach but no joy, spindle will run in manual mode so I can still make cuts.
Could it be somthing to do with spindle contol board? anyone got an idea of problem, Thaks
Mike

[neilw20]

Try another parallel cable.
If it works in manual, it is the computer, cable or breakout board.
In the machine, give all the crimps a bit of a tug. That's on the cable between the BOB and the motor control.
Turn off and remove power before fiddling, so that the smoke does not get out. Hard to get back in again.
No need to check front panel stuff if it works in manual.
Do you have a backup copy of your Mach3 config file (xml)?
All the steppers still work properly?

[mikemill]

Hi Neil
Problem solved, in the Motor Conrol check boxes( Config/ spidle setup) PWM% was highlighted on 0, up'd it to 5 and bingo back to contol.
Your right Neil when ever anything goes wrong check the conections, the crimps are crap. On another week point of the X3 have you had any props with the PSU I am on my third, I recently bought two single 48V 7amp units on ebay as stand by,as I am sure the current one will give up.
Have Syil put you on thier pay roll yet? you must have saved them a fortune as a tech help!!
Come on Syil at least send Neil a Christmas card!!!!!!
Cheers
Mike

[neilw20]

I am running a 48v 12A and 4 axis.
7A won't cut it unless you backoff the current settings on the driver.
Turn off power, put an ampmeter on 10A DC range in the 48v line, unplug steppers on all but 1 axis, turn on, then jog the remaining axis axis in fine steps until you read max current. That is microstepped so both phases are on.
Multiply that by the number of drivers you have.
More than 7A? Reduce current settings until you have 7 divided by number of drivers or less.
Make sure you don't get fooled by the current reduction when stopped. (SW1 if you have the Syil drivers)
Mine is still almost marginal, but only at turn on. Sometimes wakes up with the 48v shutting down on statrup surge.
If I don't hear the steppers clunk, I turn it off and on again.
Only happens in the cold, occasionally.
I run 4 axis ALL the time, with current reduction mode on. (the sw1 is OFF if I remember correctly)
New machines have 2 300W, 48v 6.25A supplies, each supplying 2 drivers.

You have 2 supplies? Run them both, each running 2 axis. Problem solved.

When my original supply (under warranty) died, I ran on a 36v old supply I had, with a car battery in series. Looked a bit cobbled for about a month.
Syil shipped the 600W one to me straight away. My calculations proved to them that it needed a solid supply. I demanded 12A.

[mikemill]

Neil
That was my thinking to run two together as PSU's are smaller size they fit the houseing, the 7amp 240V quoted is input, output is 48V 12 amp. I will leave current one till it gives up.
Out of interest what do you make on your machine, I am a model engineer
Cheers
Mike

[neilw20]

A variety of things...
SX3 operations pictures by neilw20_2008 - Photobucket
grinding..
SX3 Cutter grinding pictures by neilw20_2008 - Photobucket

[mikemill]

I have lost spindle control agian, when Mach gets to M3 line it should trigger the spindle but nothing, I can get the spindle running by clicking on the spindle button so I can still work.
I have tried different files and changing the percentage value of lowest speed in Config as before but no joy, any idea's
Thanks
Mike

[neilw20]

Just M3? or M3 S1500. Have you selected a speed?

[mikemill]

Hi Neil
Yes there is M3 S3000 on the line of code and was working yesterday !!!
Mike

[neilw20]

Did you keep a backup of your XML file?
Do you have any other similar version saved?

Well done! Happy (new year) to help.

[mikemill]

Neil
Rebooted and works!!!! apolagies for bothering you.
Happy New Year to all

Mike