From SX3 controls to X4

[PEU]

finally got the missing cables (Thanks Xushuo!) I just opened the back of the SX3 for the 1st time since I puchased the machine

I have some questions:

1) the bottom board its of no use now right? [EDIT] YES IT SHOULD BE REMOVED, ITS REPLACED BY THE PIGGYBACK BOARD OF THE MOTOR CONTROL


[edit resolved]
2) The board is marked like this in the Motor Board I received (checked an X4+ from which I extracted the motor and its the same)


but, the cabling that comes from the motor (pulled from an X4+) is wired the oposite:


Which one is correct?

Other than that the mod seems straightforward, I think I will adapt the new front panel electronics in the old panel to keep the aestethics

Thanks


Pablo

[PEU]

Well, the last picture in the previous post was wrong (it should be deleted as you read this) this is the correct wiring for the motor board:



Then I removed the old electronics from the original front panel:


and attached the ones from the new x4 yellow panel, they fit like a glove in the buttons area, the display cabinet needs to be enlarged a few milimeters, here you can see it attached:



Now I have only one problem remaining to be solved: I cannot regulate the speed in mach 3, fiddled with the spindle settings but I can't make it work, or it goes way up to 3500rpm or if I put a pwm value of around 2000 it goes to around 2600rpm but I cant change the speed.

Downloaded profiles from syil usa and also tried the ones I use for the x4+ but none of them seem to work.

Im sure the problem is Mach3 related, but Im lost, Im sure Im missing something obvious

Any pointer will be greatly appreciated.


Pablo

[PEU]

and I found the solution myself

It was a mach3 config problem as I suspected earlier, the new motor board needs to be reconfigured in the ports/pins section.

Old board had dir and step set as active low, the new retrofit board from x4 its the oposite both pins are active high.



Now I just need to fit the new display in the old space by enlarging it a little, will post photos after I finish the retrofit.


Pablo

[PEU]

And its finished:

Using a flat file I carefully enlarged the cover opening to fit the bigger display



Used a red sharpie to repaint the filed areas, you have to look real close to perceive the difference.

Mounted the LCD board on a piece of acrilic, added spacers so the LCD does not fit under pressure and fixed it with 4x 1/8" screws, hot melted the acrylic from the back



Also removed the manual tapping handle from the side, I never used it, so this was an excellent opportunity for getting rid of it.

And here is how my SX3 looks now (or should I call it SX4?)





I will machine some aluminium pieces to cover the holes left from the handle removal and the front digital ruler. Im thinking, maybe I put a female connector there so I can attach a touch probe

Now the machine responds in less than 10 seconds to any speed, much like the X4+

I left the spindle override, without the switch there the front panel looked ugly

IMHO the retrofit is a good upgrade to any SX3


Pablo

[iGG1e]

Good to see you got it sorted.

Not quite sure I'd call it an upgrade...the original SX3 speed control should've worked in the first place!

[PEU]

you are right, I consider it the price of being an early adopter


Pablo

[PEU]

final photos, covering holes to avoid dust inside the machine:





Pablo