ENCODER INSTALLATION: INDEX PULSE PROBLEM

[BioAgeLtd]

Dear Sirs / Madams,
I've bought an "Acorn CNC Controller" that I've installed on my CNC lathe, I've changed the original CNC electronic board that had not the option
to read an encoder installed on the spindle.

I've successfully installed an optical encoder on the spindle, it is a 5,000 lines (20,000 counts per revolution), and I've set the parameters
required to read the encoder counts, currently I'm able to read the rpm of the spindle using the encoder, this encoder provides these signals:
the A and /A; the B and B/, the Z and Z/ (it is the index pulse)

I've started to test the synchronization of the z axis with the spindle rotation, for these preliminary tests I've used a tap cycle, using the Intercon
application.

I'm able to tap an hole but ONLY when in the CONFIGURATION WIZARD the option "Do Not Wait For Index Pulse" = YES, please see the image
attached.

If in the CONFIGURATION WIZARD I set the option "Do Not Wait For Index Pulse" = NO, when I start the tap cycle, the tap approaches the hole
but it does not enter in the hole, the spindle runs, but the cnc code remains on the tapping instruction, a status message on the software shows
"moving" but the program remains in this state till I've have to abort the program.

Do you have any idea or suggestions about this problem?

Thanks Have an Happy New Year Stefano

[centroidsupport]

Please post a report.

Go into the PID menu and watch the encode fields, when you rotate the spindle does the encoder count?
When the index pulse present, an asterisk will appear next to the label for the axis that the encoder is counting on

[martyscncgarage]

Post the EXACT Make and Model number of the Encoder you used on the spindle as well.
Without pictures, we can only ASSUME you belted the encoder with a timing belt to the spindle at 1:1 (REQUIRED)

AND as centroidsupport requested, ALWAYS post a fresh report when asking for help. F7 Utility, F7 Create Report
Marty

[BioAgeLtd]

Please post a report.

Go into the PID menu and watch the encode fields, when you rotate the spindle does the encoder count?
When the index pulse present, an asterisk will appear next to the label for the axis that the encoder is counting on

Hello,
thank you for the fast reply, yous I've already done this test, and I can confirm that when I move
the spindle the count of the encoder pulses change, please find attached an image.

I can confirm to you that the x axis is synchronized with the spindle rotation.

Do you think that the problem related to the missing detection of the index pulse is related only to
a problem in the electrical interconnections of this signal or this problem can be related to a
wrong configuration of the parameters?

Thank you Best Regards Stefano

[martyscncgarage]

Yes, if the index pulse is a missing or an improperly timed index pulse (should be once per revolution)
if you rotate the spindle ever so slowly, you will notice an asterisk * flash next to the N on axis 5 in the PID screen you posted above. That is the index pulse.
Are you getting this?

PLEASE take the time to post the make and model of the encoder used and a link to its specs if possible.
Also verify you have belted that encoder at 1:1 with a timing belt to the spindle. Please post a picture

That index pulse is used as a timing marker for the control.

Marty

[BioAgeLtd]

Post the EXACT Make and Model number of the Encoder you used on the spindle as well.
Without pictures, we can only ASSUME you belted the encoder with a timing belt to the spindle at 1:1 (REQUIRED)

AND as centroidsupport requested, ALWAYS post a fresh report when asking for help. F7 Utility, F7 Create Report
Marty

Dear Marty,
sorry for the lack of the info provided, but it is the first time that I'm using a forum, I've never used
a forum before.

Regarding the encoder connection, I can confirm that it is connected to the spindle so that to have a full
turn of the encoder shaft when the spindle make a full rotation (connection 1:1).

Thank you for your reply, I will try to save the report file and to post it very soon.

If I'm not wrong, I suppose that you have an youtube channel, I've seen a lot of you videos in the past,
congratulations for you pretty videos.

Thanks Best Regards Stefano

[martyscncgarage]

Post the EXACT Make and Model number of the Encoder you used on the spindle as well.
Without pictures, we can only ASSUME you belted the encoder with a timing belt to the spindle at 1:1 (REQUIRED)

AND as centroidsupport requested, ALWAYS post a fresh report when asking for help. F7 Utility, F7 Create Report
Marty

Dear Marty,
sorry for the lack of the info provided, but it is the first time that I'm using a forum, I've never used
a forum before.

Regarding the encoder connection, I can confirm that it is connected to the spindle so that to have a full
turn of the encoder shaft when the spindle make a full rotation (connection 1:1).

Thank you for your reply, I will try to save the report file and to post it very soon.

If I'm not wrong, I suppose that you have an youtube channel, I've seen a lot of you videos in the past,
congratulations for you pretty videos.

Thanks Best Regards Stefano

Post the make and model of the encoder.
Post a picture of the encoder belted to the spindle at 1:1 please
Post the fresh report.
Providing this information will get you better suggestions to help you.

Marty

[centroidsupport]

What is the max rpm that you expect to run your spindle at?

[BioAgeLtd]

What is the max rpm that you expect to run your spindle at?

Currently I'm working with no more that 1000 rpm, but please note that when
now that I've started to work with the tapping cycle I've set about 150 rpm

Do you think that the index pulse duration is too short (in time) and the controller
is not able to detect it? (for this reason I'm doing the tapping tests at low speed
of spindle rotation)

Is there a diagnostic function in the software to verify if the index pulse is detected?

Thanks Best Regards Stefano

[centroidsupport]

You can see if the index pulse is being detected by watching for the asterisk as Marty and I suggested.

Since you're turning the spindle by hand, timing won't be an issue. All you to do is confirm that it flashes exactly once per revolution