Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

martyscncgarage wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:28 am

polaraligned wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:01 pm .

As I noted above, just change the A to N on this screen:

Sure that works....
But Centroid accomodates a 4th axis and its connection to the control with a button....

Understood, but the OP just wants to disable it until he eventually acquires the hardware for the 4th axis. Doing what I said is easy without having to mess around with parameters. He can add enable feature in the future when he gets the hardware for it. I am trying to give the easiest and least confusing answer to keep him going.

Granted, it's a little more work on the front-end, but in the future if he wants to remove the rotary table to free up workspace, it's two touches and done.

I'm currently working thru the wiring of my 4th axis (a Haas Brushed DC 5c indexer) intended for intermittent use. I have mounted the control box side 17 pin cable connector Haas uses on my control cabinet and when not being used, the indexer will be completely disconnected from the Centroid system at that 17 pin connection (which means axis limit switches AND encoders, as well as motor power wires). Reading thru this thread, it is my understanding that, with Parameter 131 correctly configured, I can use F6 to toggle whether the control expects the 4th axis or not, and home axes appropriately without alarm and configure the axis position display to show or not show the "A" axis as required?

CNCSNW replied to a question I posted in another thread when I asked about whether the indexer had to stay connected when not in use: "No. See Machine Parameter 131 in the Centroid operator's manual. If the fourth axis is not turned off, then the encoder must be connected."
I'm just trying to be clear whether I have to go into the parameters screen and switch the parameter every time, or can it be as convenient as using a function button.

If so, is this functionality built in to the standard PLC mill program, or is a modified/custom one required?

You just set the parameter once. E.g. P131 = 11 to specify an 'A' axis that comes and goes.

Then, there will appear an F6 option on the F1/Setup menu, which you will be able to use to switch between 3-axis mode and 4-axis mode.

When you have set P131, and you are in 3-axis mode, the 'A' axis will not appear on the DRO; the control will not attempt to enable the 'A' axis; the control will not complain that the A axis encoder signal is no good; and the control will automatically ignore commands like "M91/A" and "M26/A", such as you will have added to your cncm.hom file.

In 4-axis mode, of course, the 'A' will appear on the DRO and will be fully functional.

CNCSNW, Thank you for the clarification!
P.S.-- the page on your website I just stumbled on explaining the "rules" for post processor development is information I have been searching for ever since we had retrofitted a knee mill at my employer. Thank you for documenting that! Centroid would do well to make that a TSB on their website.