Using spindle encoder as DRO

[jpevner]

In one of the online diagrams Centroid provides, it states that you can configure the spindle encoder port to display z-axis( as readout only). But, I can't find any instructions on how to do this in the manual, or in the configuration options. Has anyone done this, or know how?

regards,
Jon P.

[suntravel]

The spindle rotation is not tied to the z axis unless you do rigid tapping (then the z axis is tied to the spindle encoder)

If you want a DRO for the Z axis, use a linear scale on Acorns single Encoder Input

Uwe

[cnckeith]

linear scale as DRO can be used as DRO position display only OR as Z axis position summing (if you manually move the quill (or the knee if you choose to put the scale on the knee of a knee mill.) so cnc12 keeps track of the part Z zero position even if the axis is moved manually.

do you have a knee mill or a bed mill with a quill?

[jpevner]

To be more clear. I am not planning on rigid tapping. I want to display the position of the quill(this is a bed mill) on the dro by adding a glass scale linear encoder to the quill, and plug it into the spindle encoder port.
What I want to know is: How do I configure the centroid app to understand this?
TIA Jon P.

[jpevner]

Anyone have any ideas on this, or have done it before?

[suntravel]

Did you read the manual?

Look at parameter 423....

Uwe

[tblough]

I have not done it on Acorn with the wizard, but I have done it with both Oak and AllIn1DC controls using the parameters. Just pick an unused axis in Motor Parameters, label it as manual, set the revs/in to 1, and the steps/rev to counts/in of your scale. Connect your scale to the encoder input, and set that encoder input to the axis you used (p308-315). You may need to adjust P91-94, P166-169.

[jpevner]

Thank you for the replies, and yes,Uwe, I have read the manual.
What I couldn't find in the manual was which bit in the parameter 423 bitmap corresponds to the spindle encoder on the Acorn board.
Also, in the scales config, I assume one has to enable scales for the axis, and select the encoder number. Which I assume is the same as the order in the bit map. I gave it a try assuming that the spindle encoder# was 1. I was unable to go any further because when I tried to save the scales menu, the machine indicated that function was unavailable. I am currently running the free version, but may have to upgrade. That's why I was asking if anyone had actually done this with an Acorn. I would like to make sure this can be done on an Acorn. I will go and look at the upgrade charts to see if the spell out which software level I need to do this.

[suntravel]

The encoder port on acorn is an encoder port not dedicated for spindle only...

Uwe

[jpevner]

Uwe;
That is what I am hoping, and what the marketing picture says. Does anyone know which bit in the map corresponds though?
Also, When I try to enable an axis in the scales menu, I get error 509 option unavailable.

regards,
Jon P.