My Sherline 5400 mill with Acorn control build
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 6:11 am
Hey all, looking to get input on my build to make sure my wiring is correct and if there are any issues or problems you can see. Note that the limit switch pics only show 3 of the switches but the enclosure is wired for the limit switches through the thermal blocks for both switches and E-stop.
The build is a Sherline chucker lathe and 5400 mill, with rotary table. I will run both off the same Acorn control for now but considering a 2nd controller for the mill down the line. I will unplug and swap cables to change machines. I have bench tested the Acorn and have successfully connected to Acorn with the PC. I am using the off-the-shelf 4axis driver box from Sherline. My DB25 cable is wired as per Sherline wiring pinouts. I should have labeled this for the picture but the 2 wire (black and white) round wire is the ESwitch
At this point I have not tested the E-stop or limit switches, while being connected to Acorn, I have not tested connectivity or running the steppers, or the encoder yet.
I have however beach tested my wiring for the limit switches and E-stop, circuit and it is working as expected. Again not connected to Acorn when I tested them.
Some questions,
IF the wiring looks good what is the best way to proceed from this point on regarding testing the system? Is there any specific order I should test each thing?
Since I have 2 machines I would like to wire all my limit/home switches together for both machines. this way they are all always active and when I switch machines I will not have to unplug and plug those connections in and out every time. There is a total of 6 switches xyza for mill and xz for the lathe.
Is there any way to connect power to Acorn and the PC so when booting up they both power up or power down at the same time?
Not sure yet my if my DB25 and DB9 cables will be long enough. Is it ok to add an extension cable?
How many of you guys use limit switches on both sides of the travel?
I've never set up soft limits on a machine controller and not sure I know for sure what it is. Is it a value entered into the controller to limit the axis travel via the software VS limit switches? If yes how do you set up a machine with limit/home switches and also use soft limits?
The build is a Sherline chucker lathe and 5400 mill, with rotary table. I will run both off the same Acorn control for now but considering a 2nd controller for the mill down the line. I will unplug and swap cables to change machines. I have bench tested the Acorn and have successfully connected to Acorn with the PC. I am using the off-the-shelf 4axis driver box from Sherline. My DB25 cable is wired as per Sherline wiring pinouts. I should have labeled this for the picture but the 2 wire (black and white) round wire is the ESwitch
At this point I have not tested the E-stop or limit switches, while being connected to Acorn, I have not tested connectivity or running the steppers, or the encoder yet.
I have however beach tested my wiring for the limit switches and E-stop, circuit and it is working as expected. Again not connected to Acorn when I tested them.
Some questions,
IF the wiring looks good what is the best way to proceed from this point on regarding testing the system? Is there any specific order I should test each thing?
Since I have 2 machines I would like to wire all my limit/home switches together for both machines. this way they are all always active and when I switch machines I will not have to unplug and plug those connections in and out every time. There is a total of 6 switches xyza for mill and xz for the lathe.
Is there any way to connect power to Acorn and the PC so when booting up they both power up or power down at the same time?
Not sure yet my if my DB25 and DB9 cables will be long enough. Is it ok to add an extension cable?
How many of you guys use limit switches on both sides of the travel?
I've never set up soft limits on a machine controller and not sure I know for sure what it is. Is it a value entered into the controller to limit the axis travel via the software VS limit switches? If yes how do you set up a machine with limit/home switches and also use soft limits?