Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
made some more parts today and wired to breakout board.
I still need to make the shaft.
rotating the disk is switching the optocouplers but I still need to test connected to acorn.
Steve
I still need to make the shaft.
rotating the disk is switching the optocouplers but I still need to test connected to acorn.
Steve
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
Cool...
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
Where did you find that board Steve? You do some pretty amazing stuff! Can't wait to see it working.

Milton in Collierville, TN
"Accuracy is the sum total of your compensating mistakes."
"Accuracy is the sum total of your compensating mistakes."
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
CNC Stepper Motor Step & Dir Pulse Generator & axis back and forth Exerciser
ebay item number 331090522121 27.99 plus shipping is pricey but it will be easier to modify to relay control. ( eliminate toggle switch )
amazon optic pickups:
LM393 Motor Speed Sensor Module Slot Type IR Optocoupler 3.3V-5V for Arduino Geekstory (Pack of 10)
by Geekstory
4 optocoupler board:
NOYITO PC817 4-Channel Optocoupler Isolation Board Voltage Converter Adapter Module 3.6-30V Driver Photoelectric Isolated Module
Steve
ebay item number 331090522121 27.99 plus shipping is pricey but it will be easier to modify to relay control. ( eliminate toggle switch )
amazon optic pickups:
LM393 Motor Speed Sensor Module Slot Type IR Optocoupler 3.3V-5V for Arduino Geekstory (Pack of 10)
by Geekstory
4 optocoupler board:
NOYITO PC817 4-Channel Optocoupler Isolation Board Voltage Converter Adapter Module 3.6-30V Driver Photoelectric Isolated Module
Steve
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
today I made a shaft to hold the sensor disk into the gear reduction.
the shaft has #7 taper and locks into position with the Allen bolt, centering in the bore and setting the correct height.
The bore in the nylon sensor mount was reamed to 14mm to fit the shaft.
Steve
the shaft has #7 taper and locks into position with the Allen bolt, centering in the bore and setting the correct height.
The bore in the nylon sensor mount was reamed to 14mm to fit the shaft.
Steve
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
Nice!
Reminder, for support please follow this post: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=383
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
We can't "SEE" what you see...
Mesa, AZ
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
i finished the pickup module and wired and tested the optocoupler board.
everything worked perfect testing optocoupler function for output switching with an ohm meter.
but... (thank you china) NOYITO PC817 4-Channel Optocoupler rated at 30v on the switching side failed all 4 outputs at 24v.
so to follow up i used a 4 relay i/o input relay board for testing and it works great and acorn see's the highs and lows as inputs.
so now to plan B, I really don't want to use relays so i have to reduce the output voltage on the input connection from acorn from 24v to about 5v. Resisters I imagine or maybe transistors. to take the load off of the optocouplers.
Steve
everything worked perfect testing optocoupler function for output switching with an ohm meter.
but... (thank you china) NOYITO PC817 4-Channel Optocoupler rated at 30v on the switching side failed all 4 outputs at 24v.
so to follow up i used a 4 relay i/o input relay board for testing and it works great and acorn see's the highs and lows as inputs.
so now to plan B, I really don't want to use relays so i have to reduce the output voltage on the input connection from acorn from 24v to about 5v. Resisters I imagine or maybe transistors. to take the load off of the optocouplers.
Steve
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
I made a video of the turret and electronics bench test .
everything works well enough for me to begin on software attempts.
The 4 input relays are going to be replaced as soon as i figure out how...
The 24v input voltage and current has blown the optocouplers i used. I will find something better and faster.
For the test, the sprag clutch has been removed from the turret. I need to have the software to reverse to load the sprag until 1-4 inputs are off. then stop reversing. no timing or delay involved just reverse until input 1-4 are off. The position of the tool will not change at all because of the sprag stopping all reverse motion. reverse just adds spring tension against the sprag.
please comment on my system
be nice I know I have a funny, hillbilly voice...
Thanks for helping me
Steve
https://youtu.be/X4ghPBE0aPU
The video works now
everything works well enough for me to begin on software attempts.
The 4 input relays are going to be replaced as soon as i figure out how...
The 24v input voltage and current has blown the optocouplers i used. I will find something better and faster.
For the test, the sprag clutch has been removed from the turret. I need to have the software to reverse to load the sprag until 1-4 inputs are off. then stop reversing. no timing or delay involved just reverse until input 1-4 are off. The position of the tool will not change at all because of the sprag stopping all reverse motion. reverse just adds spring tension against the sprag.
please comment on my system
be nice I know I have a funny, hillbilly voice...

Thanks for helping me
Steve
https://youtu.be/X4ghPBE0aPU
The video works now
Last edited by jumps4 on Thu Sep 19, 2019 11:39 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
I need sleep lol
ok what i have figured out about the optocoupler board not working is that it is not working as a npn sensor and the optocoupler's resistance it to high for the logic circuit of either the 24v or the 5v in the db25 connector.
After hours of research I think I'm not the only one who has had this issue but I think I have found my answer.
It is a 6 pin optocoupler designed to work as a npn switch for a logic input.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T8 ... UTF8&psc=1 This board should arrive Saturday. Right now everything is working correctly with 4 relays but I just don't like it.
I have done no code work yet I want all the electronics and wiring finished before I move there.
This Is Off Topic A Bit
I have another idea for a multi tool changer, lathe or mill etc that will only require acorn to give up one input and one output no matter the number of tools.
I need to know one thing, can acorn output a series of pulses from an output pin in the auto tool change program?
If so...
the number of pulses represents the tool number ( tool 11 = 11 pulses ) and with gray logic on a Arduino from sensor inputs from the changer, the program will activate it's own relay ,rotate the motor forward until it reads the proper input gray logic code for tool 11, reverse to clear sensors and load sprag. Then Arduino will send a tool ready input to acorn.
I want to use gray logic instead of tool changer as a rotary axis (rotate to 45 degrees etc. ) because with sensor input logic, if the move does not happen the program will not continue .and lost steps make no difference.
controlling the stepper is low voltage low amperage and simple relays for direction moves. nothing to program into acorns wizard . Acorn does not see the tool changer as an axis.
The Arduino MEGA 2560 is designed for more complex projects. With 54 digital I/O pins, 16 analog inputs and a larger space for your sketch it is the recommended board for 3D printers and robotics projects. This gives your projects plenty of room and opportunities.
54 pins for gray logic represents more tools than you could think of needing. 54 I/O for $38.50
What do you think?
Steve
ok what i have figured out about the optocoupler board not working is that it is not working as a npn sensor and the optocoupler's resistance it to high for the logic circuit of either the 24v or the 5v in the db25 connector.
After hours of research I think I'm not the only one who has had this issue but I think I have found my answer.
It is a 6 pin optocoupler designed to work as a npn switch for a logic input.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T8 ... UTF8&psc=1 This board should arrive Saturday. Right now everything is working correctly with 4 relays but I just don't like it.
I have done no code work yet I want all the electronics and wiring finished before I move there.
This Is Off Topic A Bit
I have another idea for a multi tool changer, lathe or mill etc that will only require acorn to give up one input and one output no matter the number of tools.
I need to know one thing, can acorn output a series of pulses from an output pin in the auto tool change program?
If so...
the number of pulses represents the tool number ( tool 11 = 11 pulses ) and with gray logic on a Arduino from sensor inputs from the changer, the program will activate it's own relay ,rotate the motor forward until it reads the proper input gray logic code for tool 11, reverse to clear sensors and load sprag. Then Arduino will send a tool ready input to acorn.
I want to use gray logic instead of tool changer as a rotary axis (rotate to 45 degrees etc. ) because with sensor input logic, if the move does not happen the program will not continue .and lost steps make no difference.
controlling the stepper is low voltage low amperage and simple relays for direction moves. nothing to program into acorns wizard . Acorn does not see the tool changer as an axis.
The Arduino MEGA 2560 is designed for more complex projects. With 54 digital I/O pins, 16 analog inputs and a larger space for your sketch it is the recommended board for 3D printers and robotics projects. This gives your projects plenty of room and opportunities.
54 pins for gray logic represents more tools than you could think of needing. 54 I/O for $38.50
What do you think?
Steve
Last edited by jumps4 on Thu Sep 19, 2019 1:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
No Brains, No Headaches...
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Re: Help needed on the best way to control a 8 position lathe turret
"Using two inputs would solve the problem of turret rotation and one output. One sensor would sense the home position. The other sensor would simply count up for each tool's position. In other words, the turret would be homed and then if tool 5 were needed, the tool sensor would signal each time a tool was sensed - count to 5. If the logic is hard to do with G-code, an Arduino Uno, PLC or something similar could be used to do the logic."
gray logic is not needed If I setup Arduino the way Mike Richards suggests
that seems to make more sense if using Arduino (and I could use the cheapest Arduino with 16 I/O )
I just need to know if i can send a series of pulses out on a output pin?
Can someone answer that question
Steve
gray logic is not needed If I setup Arduino the way Mike Richards suggests
that seems to make more sense if using Arduino (and I could use the cheapest Arduino with 16 I/O )
I just need to know if i can send a series of pulses out on a output pin?
Can someone answer that question
Steve
Last edited by jumps4 on Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:47 am, edited 3 times in total.
No Brains, No Headaches...
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