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Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:52 pm
by Racedirector
Yup, definitely works better with new proxies. One thing I had to do was slow down Slow Jog, the X axis was almost hitting the hard stop.
Would be nice to be able to set the approach speed for homing instead of relying on the Slow Jog speed.
Next is working out how to control my Hitachi X200 VFD with 0-10V.......
Cheers
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:30 am
by Racedirector
Very productive day.....
1. Wired in my Tormach probe including a manual Prob Detect switch
2. Wired in my movable Touch Plate
3. Wired in my fixed Chinese Touch Off tool
4. Set G28 for my tool change location
5. Set G30/2 for my fixed too touch off location
6. X and Y now home perfectly after reducing Slow Jog down to 100ipm
The movable touch plate and the probe both plug into my mini control box on my Y axis. The 2 way switch either selects touch off or probe and, as above, includes the setup for Probe Detect.
Very quickly running out of inputs, 2 left and one of those will be for my Z proxy sensor when it is installed.
Everything is going so much better after the first round of stuffups and Acorn killing.
Next is to download and install the appropriate macros to handle tool setting and the harder bit of getting my VFD all wired in correctly. Also need to attach my coolant pump to Acorn as well as my dust collector. The dust collector connection will have to wait until I have moved into my new house.
All in all very very happy with my decision to go with Acorn over LinuxCNC.
Cheers
Bruce
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 9:43 am
by martyscncgarage
Great Bruce....
When are we going to see pictures of this machine?

Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:03 am
by Racedirector
Soon Marty, soon. When I have the machine doing what I want under Acorn then I will shoot a video.
One thing just came to me regarding the coolant pump. It runs on 240V, would it be better to use the Acorn relay to trip as bigger relay to turn it on and off or can the Acorn relays handle 240V?
Off to study my Hitachi X200 manual on how to control via PWM and get all the other info I need from it.....
Cheers
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:31 am
by martyscncgarage
Yes on the relay ..
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:50 am
by Racedirector
Thanks Marty, on the Acorn relay it is
Pretty much got all the parameter changes done on the VFD, just need to wire them all up and find out of it works
Back tomorrow....
Cheers
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:14 am
by martyscncgarage
Racedirector wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:50 am
Thanks Marty, on the Acorn relay it is
Pretty much got all the parameter changes done on the VFD, just need to wire them all up and find out of it works
Back tomorrow....
Cheers
Sorry, to clarify, use ACORN's relay to drive a two pole relay. That is the proper way to do it. Don't break just one leg of line power, always break both legs. Assuming it's 240 single phase. (2 hot legs)
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:26 am
by Racedirector
Ah, OK... thanks Marty.
Yes single phase 240V. Brown = hot, Blue = neutral, Green = Earth. I have a number of relays in the control box I can feed 24V to activate.
Don't want to blow up another Acorn board, my wallet already hurts
Cheers
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:08 am
by swissi
Racedirector,
you haven't posted your latest Report file but from your descriptions it looks like you are using individual inputs for your proximity home switches.
You mentioned that you are running out of inputs so just wanted to make you aware that you can wire all home proximity switches to one input using "HomeAll". If you have NC-Type proximity home switches you wire them in series. If they are NO-type, wire them in parallel.
I'm waiting to see your pictures
-swissi
Re: Australian Mechmate transforms to Acorn
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:15 am
by Racedirector
Decided to run my machine as is to test under Acorn control. Here's a quick video snippet of it happening:
[Don't know how to embed video so here's a link instead.....]
https://youtu.be/3DKkDJY7OFE
https://youtu.be/3DKkDJY7OFE
As the video text says I keep forgetting to buy my plugs and sockets to connect the 2 control boxes together to run the spindle
Cheers
Bruce