Gecko 540 spindle control

[Jdub63]

I’m upgrading my ShopMaster MillTurn from Mach 3 and Gecko 540 to a new Acorn and CNC12. I’m using the legacy Gecko diagram,so the only connection is the parallel port. In the old configuration Gecko controlled the spindle speed with a index input on pin 14. Reviewing the setup wizard I don’t see that as a option. I have the encoder disabled because my sensor is not a true encoder, just a single index per rev.

The Gecko is controlling a VFD with pins 1 and 17. The spindle turns on and off ok with the Acorn, but only at full speed.

Any suggestions or comments appreciated.

Thanks,

Jdub

[cnckeith]

i would run the system in G540 drive only configuration and wire the VFD to the Acorn as per the Acorn schematics.

[martyscncgarage]

I agree with Keith,
Cleanest way, move your IO to Acorn and setup G540 As drive only in the Wizard.

I assume you are using a VFD? Be sure to use a relay board on the outputs.

Marty

[Jdub63]

As recommended I'm moving the spindle control (via the VFD) from the Gecko 540 to the Acorn board. Is there a wiring diagram for a "NowForever VFD"? I've got the spindle start forward /reverse pins, 10VDC / Common identified, but I'm have trouble deciphering the Fault pins.

thanks for all the help.

jdub

NowForever VFD

NowForever Wiring diagram.png (46.38 KiB) Viewed 4177 times

[martyscncgarage]

Please post a link to the manual.

The image you posted is hard to see. I can't blow it up.

Marty

[Jdub63]

Thanks Marty,

Here's a link to the manual. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... Il83AJGD56

This is what I have so far:
Digital Input:
COM = VFD Common
X1 = Spindle Start Forward (P0-016 = 1)
X2 = Spindle Start Reverse (P0-017 = 2)
X3 = Fault Reset (P0-018 = 4)

Analog Input (P0-021 - P0-024 = factory values)
AIN1 0-10 VDC
COM 0-10 VDC COM

Relay Output (P0-025 = 1)
MA = Fault NC
MC = Fault COM

thanks again,

jdub

[martyscncgarage]

Thanks Marty,

Here's a link to the manual. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... Il83AJGD56

This is what I have so far:
Digital Input:
COM = VFD Common
X1 = Spindle Start Forward (P0-016 = 1)
X2 = Spindle Start Reverse (P0-017 = 2)
X3 = Fault Reset (P0-018 = 4)

Analog Input (P0-021 - P0-024 = factory values)
AIN1 0-10 VDC
COM 0-10 VDC COM

Relay Output (P0-025 = 1)
MA = Fault NC
MC = Fault COM

thanks again,

jdub

Looks like you got it ok.

Have you done the benchtest of your VFD before connecting it to Acorn? (check the videos section)
BE SURE TO USE A RELAY BOARD ON ACORN OUTPUTS so you have dry contacts to use with the VFD

Marty

[Jdub63]

One more question. I'm using the Gecko 540 Drive Only diagram and the Generic VFD diagram. The Gecko drive only states that Input 5 is used by the 540 for a drive ok, but the Generic VFD diagram uses the same input (5) for the spindle ok. Can I use the same input for both? Or do I need to assign another input for the VFD?

[martyscncgarage]

Asign a different input for Spindle Ok

[Jdub63]

I've updated my connections as described previously, using the relays and connecting directly to the Acorn board. I've also installed v4.14, upgraded to the Lathe Pro version and installed a magnetic ring encoder.

The encoder is a 1800 line encoder or 7200 pulses per revolution. Checking the PID screen it seems to be counting in the right direction and the asterisk
is flashing when passing the Z signal.

Following are the results from testing:

When using the VFD in manual mode, I get 1613 RPM at 120Hz and 808 RPM at 60Hz. These RPMs are confirmed on the VCP (DRO) and a hand held laser RPM meter. So I'm using 1600 RPM as my max spindle speed.

Using a MDI command, S500 the RPM is 581on the VCP and the RPM meter; S2000 the RPM is 1542 on both with 10V at the analog output (H8)

Using the VCP in manual mode at 100% I get 882 RPM on both the DRO and the hand held meter with 5V at the analog output (H8)

When running the Encoder Pawn program, the spindle starts at 1412 RPM at 8V and doesn't change even though there seems to be other speed commands not recognized.

During each test I jogged each axis with no change to RPM.

Any idea why my numbers seem wrong?

I've included a report from this morning.

thanks,

Jdub