Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

cncsnw wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 3:01 pm Since you will probably never set up the machine to home Z in the minus direction, you could just go to the Machine Configuration -> Motor Parameters table, and change the Z minus home input from 5 (or 6?) to zero.

Leave the non-zero switch input number in place as the minus limit; just zero out the minus home input number.

That should solve both of the issues that the System Test flagged.


Alternately, adjust the Z minus limit trip stop so that it trips the switch about 0.050" sooner (higher); and also go to the Machine Configuration -> Jog Parameters table and change your Z minus travel limit from -3.8056 to -3.7700

Thanks! I went with option #1! I will run the test again and report back.

"306 Job Finished". Today is a good day!!! SYSTEM TEST IS COMPLETE!

Thanks to everyone who helped me get to this milestone. This was a big deal for me. I thought about pushing this thing back in the corner many times, but decided to keep moving forward. I am not a machinist, so this awesome.

I know there's a lot of other test to do. However, this gets me past software hell.

Best,

Allen

Congrats Allen, happy for you!
It may have been a bit of a rocky road for you, but you're much more acquainted with your machine now and you're better off for it.
Looking forward to seeing what you get up to with this machine.

Were you able to get the Acceleration values figured out?

Yes, I had to run the acceleration tuning and also correct the feed rate in the test program.

I added a spindle range switch. I see the input map shows a green light on #3 (low range) when the lever is in low range. So that looks good.

In low range with the spindle on full blast it's running 579 RPM. I'm not sure how to calibrate it. I'm using a VFD to power it.

I assume that, when you say "#3", you really mean INP13, named "SpinLowRange_I" or something similar.

Set Parameter 65 to the ratio of low range speed to high range speed (0.193, in your example).

Assuming you have a typical back gear assembly, so that the spindle turns the opposite direction when in low range, then you should make the parameter 65 value negative.

So: P65 = -0.193

cncsnw wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:47 pm I assume that, when you say "#3", you really mean INP13, named "SpinLowRange_I" or something similar.

Set Parameter 65 to the ratio of low range speed to high range speed (0.193, in your example).

Assuming you have a typical back gear assembly, so that the spindle turns the opposite direction when in low range, then you should make the parameter 65 value negative.

So: P65 = -0.193

That works, except I need to the set the high range to be negative. The low range already runs clockwise. I can't find the high range p#. I only see a Low, Medium low, and a Medium high. I changed both of them and nothing changed.

I also need to get the spindle to decelerate faster. Is that controled by the VFD or CNC12?

Thanks

Allen

You need to configure the VFD and/or wire your spindle motor to run the correct direction in high range. There is no "reverse in high range" parameter. Typically you would swap any two of the three power leads coming out of the VFD (U, V and W).

There is also no high range speed ratio Parameter, as such. P65, P66 and P67 -- the speed ratios for the lower gears -- are relative to high range.

You calibrate the high range speed using the "Max spindle speed (high range)" setting on the Control Configuration screen (F1 from Configuration).

The spindle acceleration/deceleration rates are set by parameters in your VFD. That is not controlled by CNC12.

I finally made my first part! Thanks to everyone's help! The mill runs great. I had 3D printed a custom Z axis motor adapter to deal with the larger motor that came with the Centroid kit.

The original plan was to make a prototype and have someone else mill it. However, after a few revisions I mounted the motor. The ABS seemed ridged enough to actually run it that way. I figured as long as I took it easy, I could use the plastic mount to mill the aluminum mount. It worked perfectly. Now I can swap out the ABS with aluminum.

The only current issue is that the electronic lube pump is a lube first version. It's over lubing the mill. As soon as I hit cycle start it turns on. So, that's not good if you stop and start often. The mill is dripping with oil. I don't think I can shorten the pump time. If It did a quick shot of oil at startup, it would probably be fine. Is there a solution for this situation??