Ok, I'm back on 5.30, and was able to copy over all the old parameters and plc settings. However, I do have a few new issues:
1: Is there a way to re-simplify the probing/TTO workflows? There are extra options in 5.30 that our operator doesn't want to have to click through each time. Specifically, we don't need the TTO option when probing the workpiece (probe used each time for this) and we don't need probe options when doing the tool touch-offs (TT1 used each time for this)
2: He proceeded to do his tool touchoffs before running a program as usual, using the probe to identify the workpiece z-height, and the TT-1 to set tool offsets. When he ran the program, it was about two inches above the workpiece.
3: When using the 'auto' Touch-off, the machine moves all the way to z-home and then sloooowly descends to the TT1. How can I skip this? He is used to just jogging it down close to the TT1 and then initiating the auto touch-off procedure.
4: I have an error in the Wizard, now:
It occurred after I had saved plc settings and tried to import them for 5.30. Not exactly sure what I did wrong.
Follow up from previous:
Yes, I guess I was referring to the load meter bars in the last post. Disregard that.
The spindle speed range is set between 0 and 3600 rpm in Config->Control. Our FR-A500 VFD is set up in Advanced Magnetic Flux Vector Control mode and, so, is limited to 3600RPM. Not sure if the mismatch between programmed speed and actual speed might be related to this. Any insights? This problem persists.
The spindle speed range is set between 0 and 3600 rpm in Config->Control. Our FR-A500 VFD is set up in Advanced Magnetic Flux Vector Control mode and, so, is limited to 3600RPM. Not sure if the mismatch between programmed speed and actual speed might be related to this. Any insights? This problem persists.
So, if you set the spindle speed override to 100%, and you use MDI to run "M3 S1800", what is the analog voltage command going from the Hickory to the spindle drive; and how fast does the motor turn?
What are the results if you do the same with "M3 S360", or "M3 S3240" (i.e. 10% and 90% speed)?
I think i have the offset issue from before solved, though not understood.
Also, I commented out the M25 'return to home' line of the tool_offset_auto_measure macro, and set the 'fixed tool touch-off" location to include a much lower z-height.
What's the easiest way to see the analog output? Am I just probing the hickory outputs with a multimeter?
Yes, just set your meter to DC Volts, on a range suitable for measuring up to 10VDC if not auto-ranging. Measure between the analog output (H8/5) and any analog common (e.g. H8/6).
Many years ago, an engineer from EMI (originally set up the machine with a Centroid control) had counseled us that in order to be able to do the rigid tapping that we wanted to do (i.e. 1/2" coarse in AR plate at 50rpm) that we would need to put it vector control mode, and had walked us through making that change.
Analog output voltages as measured this morning:
m3 s360 - 0.99V
m3 s1800 - 4.99V
m3 S3240 - 8.98V
p902 - 0.00
p903 - 200.0
p18 - 130.0
p1 - 130.0
I had started through tb112 at time of setup, but decided that I didn't need to change anything for the sake of the ATC, and ran into a few parameters that were dependent upon others, and so I wasn't able to change them. (maybe related to being set in vector mode?)
We would love to easily be able switch in and out of vector control mode, (or have it set do do so automatically, based on spindle speed) so that we could regain the higher speed range, but it is critical that we be able to do rigid tapping, so we've just been dealing with that limitation.
KreiderMachine wrote: ↑Thu Apr 03, 2025 11:56 am
Ok, I'm back on 5.30, and was able to copy over all the old parameters and plc settings. However, I do have a few new issues:
1: Is there a way to re-simplify the probing/TTO workflows? There are extra options in 5.30 that our operator doesn't want to have to click through each time. Specifically, we don't need the TTO option when probing the workpiece (probe used each time for this) and we don't need probe options when doing the tool touch-offs (TT1 used each time for this)
2: He proceeded to do his tool touchoffs before running a program as usual, using the probe to identify the workpiece z-height, and the TT-1 to set tool offsets. When he ran the program, it was about two inches above the workpiece.
3: When using the 'auto' Touch-off, the machine moves all the way to z-home and then sloooowly descends to the TT1. How can I skip this? He is used to just jogging it down close to the TT1 and then initiating the auto touch-off procedure.
while adding the extra steps in is annoying to the seasoned user the steps are helpful to newbies.
that being said the extra checks/steps in the macro(s) are editable by the integrator, so you can make the TTO workflow work what every way you want. its up to you. just edit the macro(s) to do want you want. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... amming.pdf
Ok, thanks Keith. I'll put some time into figuring this out, as I want to get the Aux keys set up for the operator at some point.
Is there any furthur guidance that any of you could give on the spindle setup? Am I correct in assuming that p903 needs to be set to 130, instead of 200, as long as we are in vector mode? I have currently made this change, but it doesn't seem to have solved the mismatch.
9.24v is the point at which the spindle speed hits 3600rpm. Anything above that doesn't result in an increase in speed. Commanded (m3) speeds until that point are inaccurate by a similar amount. What am I missing here?
I wasn't working here when the VFD was configured in vector mode, so I am just relaying the information I have. Do you have any advice to give regarding low speed tapping on this machine? Would it bet better to put the VFD back in standard mode?
