Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Thanks Muzzer. Can I ask what features are missing when compared to the yaskawa? I am guessing yaskawa is substantially more expensive. As I am a bit of a newbie I am keen to go for a brand that has at least some support/documentation - I know that is a bit of an ask when talking about aliexpress suppliers!

Nice video Uwe - impressive to watch! I noticed you are using a separate encoder. Is it not possible to use the built-in encoder on the back of the motor? Also have you upgraded to a BT30 spindle?

bubblevisor wrote: ↑Fri May 27, 2022 12:50 pm Nice video Uwe - impressive to watch! I noticed you are using a separate encoder. Is it not possible to use the built-in encoder on the back of the motor? Also have you upgraded to a BT30 spindle?

If the servo is not belted 1:1 you must use an 1:1 encoder on the spindle. But thats anyway the way most professional CNC machines are build.
Some of the CNCs in my job have even two encoders, one for speed mode, and one high resolution one for position mode....


My mill was original with SK30 spindle, one of the reason I bought it.

Uwe

I see. I'll add an encoder to my growing shopping list!

Can I ask why you chose your pulley ratio?

bubblevisor wrote: ↑Fri May 27, 2022 12:36 pm Thanks Muzzer. Can I ask what features are missing when compared to the yaskawa? I am guessing yaskawa is substantially more expensive.

You can probably add a zero to the price! The setup software for the Yaskawa allows you to set it up for almost any application through an extensive GUI, including gearing, linear and rotary applications and all sorts of position, velocity and torque modes, PID controllers etc. It can be almost overwhelming. In contrast, the LiChuan "software" is little more than a table of parameters that you can download, edit and re-upload. Makes for a simple life, although I struggled to find a PC that would actually install the "software". I think I succeeded with my 3rd laptop. You can program it from the front panel, like most servo drives, so this is probably the best method.

I bought some pre-owned Yaskawa Sigma servos and matching motors from a machine breaker in Korea. They cost about the same as the new LiChuans and to my mind, they were both similar propositions in their own way. Good quality, old drives with little or no warranty vs more questionable new drives with some(?) warranty and the same price.

bubblevisor wrote: ↑Fri May 27, 2022 5:54 pm I see. I'll add an encoder to my growing shopping list!

Can I ask why you chose your pulley ratio?

Sure, I wanted to have more spindle speed

Uwe

Thanks. Is there anything to consider when choosing an encoder?

Btw, I have no real experience to go by but I'm planning on getting a 2kw 3000rpm motor geared 2:1. Happy to receive any constructive criticism/better suggestions! THe machine will be used for semi-production type work so don;t want to be limited by spindle speed/power.

Here's my machine currently!

I am planning the axis drives for my Syil X5 retrofit. The drives already present are generic brand 40v AC input stepper drives with nema 34 motors. Looking at what others on this forum use I'm wondering whether i am doing myself a disfavour by trying to retain this old AC powered gear. This is my first CNC conversion so would be keen to take advice on this. The spindle will be a 1.3kw JASD servo unit (as suggested by suntravel). I'm keen to retain the steppers unless there is a strong reason to replace. What do you guys recommend I should spec?