Any C6 setup guides out there?

[MadMax]

Has anyone posted a thorough C6 setup guide? I'm wading through the setup and find myself very frustrated with not getting a lot of necessary setup info.

I'm hoping someone who's up running can help me: what are the parallel port pins for the spindle? I tried the setting up the config file but have found that the spindle parallel pins are all set to zero which can't be right.

aside:

I have to admit the Syil support is quite poor. The manual that comes with the C6 is for their manual lathe. No connection diagrams or other setup info. No information on config setup and I'm wondering if the config file is even set up right. Right off the bat, my homing routines had the travels going the wrong way to find the switches and my spindle pins aren't assigned. Somehow I have to take apart the controller to see what pins are connected for the spindle and figure out which one does what.

The heavy metal stuff seems nice, well put together, and well priced but much of the easy stuff like instructions and drivers aren't available.

[Journey_Man]

Hey MadMax do you have the C6 Profile loaded in the Mach3 folder? If you do and you have the motors and encoder pluged in, (and have done a Mach3 driver test) You should be able to "Plug&Play". The Lathe is pretty simple to setup and run. The Syil C6 profile has every thing configured and can be downloaded from their site. Open Mach3, Click the reset button,open the manual screen,click on Home Xaxis _Home Zaxis and its ready.
If you haven't already, you should go to the Mach website and download the PDF Mach3 Pro Turn Manual and go to Kinkos and have it Printed. It will tell you everything about The Control Software. And that is what you need to know. The Lathe will hold .0005 if you know how to make it do it. "Keep Things Oily"

[MadMax]

double post error deleted

[MadMax]

Hi Journey Man,

I did try that. Dropped in the config profile and started the homing operation. Right off the bat, the motors turned the wrong way to seek the limit switches. I'm sure I'm running the added config file as it's name shows up in the loader and the motors at least move the right distances (correct screw and step parameters set).

I tried turning on the spindle via the manual interface and with M codes to no avail. I noticed that in the motor-spindle config, no pin assignments had been made. The axis was enabled, assigned pins for step/direction etc were all set to zero. Could you check your motor pin assignments and post what your spindle pins are set to?

I've been all over the Mach3 Turn manual, but I'm sure the issue is a machine specific issue. I tried popping open the controller box to see if I could trace the pins from the parallel port, but I find it difficult to trace things once they pass through the IO breakout board and the rear board connections.

I'm really excited to get things running finally. I got the stepper motors doing what they're supposed to do and all. I think all I'm missing is spindle control now.

JM, out of curiosity how did your tool turret project go? I've been working on a gang tool plate because they're simpler and I've got a pressing job, but I'd like to have a tool changer in the longer term. I'm thinking about getting a spare 4th axis assembly for a X4 mill and making a tool changer face to bolt to the 4th axis ass'y. I'm hoping that it's stiff and consistent enough to turn into a 8 station turret that's indexable with N codes. I'll need to buy another axis control board to stick in my controller box (there are only 2 in the lathe box) but I think modding a 4th axis ass'y might be the shortest route to an improve tool changer.

Dirt cheap too if they only cost the $300ish price difference in the X4 package price (diff between having the 4th axis and not).

[Journey_Man]

I will look at the pin config. But I wont be able to post anything til this evening.
The lathe Spindle turns on/off with the switch and the motor/spindle pulley door has to be shut. I took the little Chuck (plastic cover) off. but the detent switches have to be un-obstructed. (just reminding you)

The Turret is very Close! I have been working on it almost every week end. I just got the driver board yesterday.
I am going today to make a plate to mount the Turret to the Cross Slide today.
I will have a look at my Pin config. and get it posted here this evening. See you later.

[MadMax]

Ah bugger! I forgot about the headstock guard. I removed the plastic cover, but I'm not sure if I had the swivel plate turned to push in the switch pin. The spindle turns on manually, but maybe the switches have to be closed for computer driven operation. I'm pretty sure my spindle shouldn't be assigned to 0,0 for the parallel port pins though.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your turret project. There's a bunch of projects I have in mind that can't be done with a gang tool holder.

[Journey_Man]

I looked at my Config file and the Spindle has ho values in it. Also you need to push the Green re-set button every time you open the belt acess door. You should hear it re-set (it will click). The machine has to be manually turned on and off, and the very bottom switch has to be turned to the Lathe Position. Then the Switch on the top will turn the Spindle on. I think that the Chuck detent switch has to be out because I took all of the hardware off and put set screws in the holes. So, check your switches.because it should "Pop Off and Run". Ok...."Keep Things Oily" Bob

[MadMax]

That's interesting. I'm surprised that there aren't valid values in the config setup. I've been keeping the breaker set on after hearing it click off when the shield comes up or the pulley access door opens. What's the chuck detent switch? Are you talking about the chuck shield?

When the machine is manually turned on, can Mach3 control the spindle speed?

[Journey_Man]

I called it a detent switch for a lack of a better name...On my lathe it is not pushed in.I took all of that stuff off and the button is out.Ithink if it is pushed in, it toggles a micro switch and the spindle does'nt operate. No The Spindle isnt software controlled. The only "M Code" that I know that will operate the Spindle Is...."M"y Left Index Finger& Thumb......:-)