Reply with QuoteSounds like you have the C6 card configured for +5V to -5V not +-10V
c6 spindle speed set-up
well i'm not sure if this is a mach3 issue or an ethernet smoothstepper issue. I have a step/dir C6 spindle control board and it kind of works. I've set up the board per the instructions here and i'm still having an issue. The spindle will turn on forward and reverse and the speed will adjust, but it seems I don't get the correct output signal to the C6 board. By that I mean that the voltage output from the C6 seems to only swing by 5V-ish. So I can use the adjustment pot to get the spindle up to full speed, but then as a 0 speed command the spindle will still run at half speed (5V out of the C6 board), or likewise if I turn the adjustment knob down so that 0 speed is zero, i can't get the spindle up to full speed. It's not an issue with the C6 (i dont think), if I close mach3, voltage output drops to 0.
So not sure what to look at now. My steps per unit and velocity are set per the instructions to get a 25kHz output, the max step frequency is set to 32KHz, spindle pulleys are set correctly (0-6k). I currently have it setup for step and direction in both mach3 and the smoothstepper config. Any thing else I can look into?
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Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
Sounds like you have the C6 card configured for +5V to -5V not +-10V
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
The C6 has a 0-10v analog output you must have something wrong with your connections if you only have a 5v output, do you have the 12v supply to the C6 BoardOriginally Posted by CS900
Mactec54
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
Check the wire size running from the C6 board to the VFD, if it is undersized it will have issues . I had this happen on a VFD and increased the wire size from 28AWG to 18AWG and it worked perfect. Someone else posted this potential issue and it fixed my unit.
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
That is not correct, 22/24 AWG is all that is needed, or regular Cat6 phone cable for control of any VFD Drive logic, 18AWG you can use to drive a 1.5Kw spindle motor
Mactec54
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
well I only get a 5V "swing". So if I have the adjustment pot set to it's min, the max output i'll get is 5V. If i adjust the pot up, I can get the full 10V output, but it'll never go below 5V.
I have it hooked up to a 12V power supply as well.
I'm trying to find someone with an oscilloscope to see what input frequency is as i adjust the commanded spindle speed. I think that'll at least tell me if it's a hardware issue or software, but i'm open to any thoughts .
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
...double check Mach3 settings
https://www.machsupport.com/wp-conte...all_Config.pdf
Chapter 5.3.6
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
Is there a jumper on the Board that you have to change for 0-5v or 0-10v output this C6 is stand alone so if it is working then it is something to do with the C6, the supply signal needs to be 25Khz from your control for it to output 0-10v check the Power supply is connected correctly
WARNING: Check the polarity and voltage of the external power source and
connect the 12V or 15-24V, and GND. Overvoltage or reverse polarity power
applied to these terminals (X1) can cause damage to the board, and/or the power
source.
Configuring the Control Software:
It is strongly recommend you read your control software’s manual. You need to
configure your control software to control the spindle as if it was an angular axis.
This card requires a 25 KHz input signal to deliver 10VDC. So you have to set the
speed of the motor (spindle) at maximum. For acceleration values adjust them to
where you feel comfortable. Keep in mind the acceleration of the motor must also
be set in your VFD.
Last edited by mactec54; 05-08-2022 at 11:49 AM.
Mactec54
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
Hi Mactec, thanks for your responce. No there is no configuration on the board itself, at least none that I can physically see or that are referenced in the manual. The power is connected correctly as well.
machinehop5, Thanks but i've been over all the Mach3 settings several times. I've set it up per the manual, per the C6 manual, and per the smoothstepper manual, and none of those settings seem to help (or hurt) the issue.
It's seeming like i really need a scope to propperly diagnose this issue.The smoothstepper manual highly recommends a PWM based board, so I may spend a few $$ and give one of those a try. I've also heard that port1 seems to have some issues with spindle control. Anyone heard of this before or have any first hand experience with it?
Hi Mactec, thanks for your responce. No there is no configuration on the board itself, at least none that I can physically see or that are referenced in the manual. The power is connected correctly as well.
machinehop5, Thanks but i've been over all the Mach3 settings several times. I've set it up per the manual, per the C6 manual, and per the smoothstepper manual, and none of those settings seem to help (or hurt) the issue.
It's seeming like i really need a scope to propperly diagnose this issue.
Do you have direction relays/control attached to it?.
Just thinking a 5v+/- swing may happen if no particular direction control specified is seen by the board.
You can use the +/- 'swing' as a cw/ccw control in servos and such.
Just a thought.
I'd be considering getting one of those cheapo $10 5 axis breakout boards (with the built in 10v output) connected on another port atm. They do actually work because they're basic.
I used one for years.
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
Ok try the Mach3 step frequency at 100 the the SmoothStepper spindle frequency at 100 they should be both the same 100=10vHi Mactec, thanks for your responce. No there is no configuration on the board itself, at least none that I can physically see or that are referenced in the manual. The power is connected correctly as well.
machinehop5, Thanks but i've been over all the Mach3 settings several times. I've set it up per the manual, per the C6 manual, and per the smoothstepper manual, and none of those settings seem to help (or hurt) the issue.
It's seeming like i really need a scope to propperly diagnose this issue.
Mactec54
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
The C6 board does use relays for direction control. I'm not seeing anywhere in the manual, or from my google-fu that the C6 boad will do -5v to 5v control, or 0-5v control.
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
The manual has this which is where your problem is it needs the output to the board to be 10v your output is 5v so you only get 50%
A Variable Frequency Drive or Inverter works by modifying the frequency for AC motors.
You can control most of these devices with an external analog signal (0-10VDC). That is,
if there is 5VDC coming into through the control signal, the motor will run at 50% of full
speed, if there was 10VDC, the motor will run at 100% of full speed. If there is no signal
coming out, then the motor will stop.
This unit can also be used on many DC motor controllers by replacing the potentiometer
that controls the speed.
Mactec54
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
i'm not sure i follow your instructions. Are you saying to set the steps per unit * velocity (in mach3) so that it is equal to the spindle step max frequency (in smoothstepper config)?
Re: c6 spindle speed set-up
This Video may help as well.
Mactec54
