Show X4 RPM in Mach3

[john_t_h]

I've been having more of play with my X4 and I've noticed that the current RPM doesn't seem to be displayed in Mach3.

the RPM always says 0 and looking at the calibrate spindle option, the RPM doesn't register.

I can adjust the RPM using the slider in Mach3, so Mach3 can control it.

The problem seems that Mach3 doesn't know what the speed is. I started a job that was supposed to set the spindle speed to 3500rpm and it kicked off at 200rpm.

[john_t_h]

I just did a test cutting two circles with the first one at 3500rpm and the second at 500rpm set via G-Code

N60S3500M03
N60S500M03

The spindle speed started at 3000rpm did not change at all. So I guess there is a config or setting wrong in Mach3 somewhere.

[metalworkz]

Originally Posted by john_t_h I just did a test cutting two circles with the first one at 3500rpm and the second at 500rpm set via G-Code N60S3500M03 N60S500M03 The spindle speed started at 3000rpm did not change at all. So I guess there is a config or setting wrong in Mach3 somewhere.

Hi John,
I don't think the 'spindle calibration' will work with the X4, and I know it does not work with my X3. Have you tried using the MDI function in Mach3 to run some spindle speed tests? You can key in the commands and go thru various spindle speeds very easily to test if the speed will change with the commands without taking the extra time to run a program.
I had a bad spindle control board as received and had very unpredictable spindle control until I received and installed the replacement board. The spindle would changed speeds on it's own and would even stop at times. The spindle sometimes would not start when trying to run a program etc.
Is the speed displaying on the machine display? Mine is not spot on accurate for the machine display but is withing 100 rpm or so of the speed displayed in Mach3. Did you put the .xml file for your machine in the Mach3 folder, and you are loading the Syil profile when starting Mach3 right? Hope you are able to make chips with it soon!

[neilw20]

If you run your X4+ in manual you will notice that if the speed knob is turned up too fast the spindle runs slower than you expect.
Conversely if the knob is set at too lower speed the same happens.

The firmware in your X4 that reads the speed pot has a problem (too much gain) and when you try to run it in CNC mode the same problem is still there.

If you try to set the speed too slow or too fast from Mach3 then you get the same effect.

This bug has been reported, and Frans is waiting for a response to this problem.

Have you changed the PWM setting in Macvh3 config ? The value we had set is as good as it will be for the time being.

Speeds in the range 900 to 3200 were found to be consistent.

Neil.

[john_t_h]

Ahh, yep, setting the speed too high was the problem, Thanks Neil.

Once I reduced it to 3200, it seemed to work better.

from 1900rpm upwards speeds are close. 1900 down to 900 are around 150-200 rpm out