Installing the Acorn with Adtech CNC drives

[martyscncgarage]

In hindsight, maybe I only needed to ground one end of the cable shield?

Typically you ground the shield on the control side.

[martyscncgarage]

Question, why did you choose to use an RJ45 block like that? Seems to me introducing another connection point invites trouble.
I terminate everything on the Acorn board whenever possible.

[dmbgo]

Question, why did you choose to use an RJ45 block like that? Seems to me introducing another connection point invites trouble.
I terminate everything on the Acorn board whenever possible.

I did it purely for convenience Marty. I had used an old network switch chassis when building the controller (the box suited) and I have had nothing but positive experiences with the RJ series of connectors. Albeit my experinces have come from a computer networking perspective. I do understand your point however - the less connections the greater the integrity.

[dmbgo]

In hindsight, maybe I only needed to ground one end of the cable shield?

Typically you ground the shield on the control side.

Thanks for that, it vindicates my assumptions. I don't think I'll change it now that it is operating correctly though. Unless you think that I might have longer term reliability problems?

[martyscncgarage]

In hindsight, maybe I only needed to ground one end of the cable shield?

Typically you ground the shield on the control side.

Thanks for that, it vindicates my assumptions. I don't think I'll change it now that it is operating correctly though. Unless you think that I might have longer term reliability problems?

Leave it,
Sometimes the shield causes issues. I can not explain why.
Marty

[dmbgo]

Thanks Marty

[dmbgo]

Well, after a bit of a break, whilst I did a few things around the house, I'm back in CNC land. The acorn is nearly ready to operate. I have wired up the coolant control to the acorn using one of the relays connected to the acorn board. This then switches 240v AC via a solid state relay inside the AC housing of the coolant pump. I have also roughly set the distance traveled per axis and backlash compensation. I'm nearly ready to try it but I think I'll put a few covers on first

[dmbgo]

Covers are on and I tried a basic turning job. I followed the steps outlined in the youtube video. All went well with the covers, but when I tried to turn a bit of bar, the Z axis didn't reverse, although the X axis behaved as expected. The net effect was to have the tool 100mm away from the workpiece when taking 10 x 10mm cuts. I thought this was perhaps caused by interference, so I added shielded connectors to my axis cables, but sadly no change.
Further fault finding :with the spindle running I am able to manually take cuts from a piece of stock by using the MPG, so I think there is an issue with the GCode, but I'm not sure what.

[dmbgo]

I just want to clarify that the Z axis behaves as if it is not getting the Dir signal. When I use the MPG it changes direction happily.

[martyscncgarage]

I just want to clarify that the Z axis behaves as if it is not getting the Dir signal. When I use the MPG it changes direction happily.

Post the G code....
You should try and use INTERCON for your first G code.
Download the Lathe Manual and try the exercises listed under Section 8: Intercon.