Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

So...I was on a roll where I hadn't broken a mill tool in over a month. Then I had the mill jam the part before the spindle spun and broke a tooth. Bummer.

So, now I'm hitting the feed hold button after the cycle start to prevent a replay. I have no feedback from the cheap VFD, but need more time for spool up before the motion starts. Is there a way to do this? I found how to do it with feedback...but haven't found any way to pause the motion for the 5 seconds of spin up it sometimes takes. Even if I can make the post add a pause for input, it would be better than jamming another $100 tool for no reason. Sometimes the motion gives time for spool up, and sometimes it doesn't, with no way of telling which it decides to do.

I'm running the AllInOneDC and no spindle encoder. The VFD has fault feedback, but that's it.

You could always insert a G04 delay before you command the axes to move. Start with P of 10 (10 seconds) and scale it down to a point where you are not wasting time, but still protecting the tool.

Best Regards,

Jeffrey

Hey Jeffrey, I thought of that, but some of the programs I have been running are over 100k lines of G code with up to 2 dozen tool changes. Having to track down every tool change to add delays would be time consuming. If I have to, I will...just seems like there must be a way to add spool up pauses automatically to the cps program.

Put the G4Px (where x is the time in seconds) in the Mfunc3.mac and the Mfunc4.mac (or adjust the P value if already in there)
those macros are the M3 and M4 spindle start foward and reverse commands.

Once you modify them, just type M3 Sxxx in MDI to test

Modify the M3 and M4 with pause at the end and when all the posts will have the G4 P5 or what ever time you need.

Thanks Marty, that's what I was hoping...a simple solution. Thanks too, Monster, but if changing the macros works I think I'll be golden. I'll let you know how it goes...

If you put the pause in the Centroid macro, how will that affect tapping?

The other option perhaps is if the VFD has an up to speed output. I think the PLC would need a modification and a spare input on the control.

Marc is best to answer this one...

Marty

What spindle motor and vfd are you using?

As far as I know it's the original Bridgeport motor. The VFD is a cheapo Chinese unit, so no up to speed signal. It does have a single fault feedback, but that trips the E stop. I bought the VFD before the AllInOneDC and I knew what to look for. Once the cheapo unit dies I'll add feedback, but so far the VFD is purring along.

I don't have a spindle encoder, so I don't do any rigid tapping. I have been doing thread milling, though, and spindle pause won't affect that at all. Thread milling is the coolest thing since the mill! I find myself threading components that were unthreadable previously. It did have a steep learning curve after the first $65 cutter lasted one try.

Today I have to put my PLC thinking cap back on. I get good at changing the program, but immediately forget everything for the next time...