I currently have a properly functioning Ox with a cheap chinese speed control managing my spindle. The unit comes with a pot which is used for manual spindle speed control. As I learn more, I want to have Mach3 control my spindle speed instead of doing it manually. The speed control has a PWM input and my breakout board (a common 5-axis board) has PWM outputs. However, i can't seem to get it all to work properly. I've attached pictures of both the speed control and the BOB. My first question is what pin on the BoB should i be using? It has a pin that is labelled as "PWM" which correlates to P1 on my board. But it also has a pin labelled "0-10v Speed control" which does not seem to correlate to a specific parallel port pin. The second question is how should Mach3 be configured? Please take a look at the screen captures and advise if if i have it incorrectly configured. Thank you!
I have that same BOB in my CNC Router Parts Nema 23 Plug and Play box... What was told to me was to use Port # 1 for both step port and dir port and pin # 1 for both direction pin and step pin.... I haven't tested it this way so i'm not sure if that's correct or not... I would give the spindle just a bit more delay unless it spins up really quick, mine is set for 7 seconds... Gerald
Dekes1, did the set-up recommended by Hytech2k work? Once I get out of the hospital I'll try the setup, thats if you haven't yet. If using VFD, disregard the output labeled PWM on the Chinese BOB. Utilize the 0-10v Spindle for PC control on this type of BOB. As for myself, I have a CNCRP500 with this same Chinese BOB, I was recommended several options. All options failed, except what I haven't tried by Hytech2k and/ or utilizing a Buck converter to drop the input voltage of the 12-24v Power Supply to 5v for my input which in-turn drop my 0-10v Spindle voltage to 5v output to my SuperPID. Which my SuperPID v2 requires for PWM operation of 5v input. I am aware that the math in the voltage drop don't add up, but like I mentioned I've tried just about every method to get this Chinese BOB to work. Basically, Buck converter on the front end of the 12-24v input or the back end of the 0-10v Spindle output assuming the setting from MACH3 will adjust. Also, I take no responsibility for any issues or malfunction you might incur. As for myself, Ive tried other options and still cant figure it out. I hope someone else chimes with better option then what I've mentioned.
To use this BOB with the 0-10v output for pwm into a 5v control. Wire 2 5kohm resistors between in series between the 0 and 10v ports. Run a wire from the 0v port to the PWM negative on the speed control. Run a wire from the middle between the 2 resistors to the PWM positive port on the speed control. That speed control has 2 jumpers to switch between using the pot or PWM for the set rpm. The 0-10v port at 0 volts it's telling the speed control to run a max speed. At 5v(10 normally, but we're using a voltage divider -- the resisters) it's telling the speed control to stop snd run at 0rpms.
I have an arduino nano between the 0-10v port and the speed control pwm port. I'm using a hall effect sensor reading 3 magnets I glued in the spindles fan to read the actual rpm of the spindle. Using a PID Speed control.ino program i now have closed loop speed control. Using a 400w dc er11 spindle i can get stable 500rpms.
