I have just purchased the new X32 Blackbox and associated Interface. I have the two components working but when running a job the Interface somehow stops and stops sending G-code to the BlackBox. All worked perfectly with earlier X4 Blackbox and Interface. Maybe this version is more sensitive to EMF for the VFD Spindle or could it be that my WIFI signal is too weak. I can run the job correctly to finish when I connect the BlackBox to my laptop so the issue has something to with the Interface. Thank you
Wifi is not used during the job. Interface connects to BlackBox using a cable They can be trouble. Using shielded cable for the 400hz 3-pbase cable? Correctly earthed VFD, Spindle body and braid on the cable between them? Self wired or installed by qualified electrician? Interface cable well spaced away from EMI sources? (newer cable with the curl is longer than old straight cable)
I have successfully completed a trial with the VFD off line and all worked okay. As you mentioned the Interface to BlackBox cable is longer than the previous version so maybe causing the fault. Can I add a ferrite core to this cable? At the Interface end presumably?
Can give it a shot, but with EMI, its always better to fix the "where its coming from" than "the thing being affected by the EMI" - if you have a field full of sheep, do you kill the wolf, or put each sheep in a little cage? If its emitting enough EMI that our longer cable that works fine for almost everyone else is affected, its emitting more EMI than it should.
Thanks Peter. I will give it a try. I have the VFD inside a wooden enclosure so I may have line this with silver paper also.
Thats out the norm, do a little online research on VFDs and EMI. Usually doesn't go far as faraday cages - proper earthing, and shielding of the HF 3PH cable (400hz 3 phase is alot nastier than 60hz single phase AC)
I fairly sure the 3 phase cable is shielded and correctly grounded - I had it installed by an electrician. I will check the tool Head to VFD cable. If is certainly a shielded cable but goes through the same path to the Blackbox as the Interface cable. Maybe there needs to be a greater separation between these?
Peter, I have reviewed all the cable spacings - all probably okay although my VFD output cable does travel a litte close the tool head control cables but I am limited with spacing I have in the enclosure. Some of the literature I read suggested that the screen on the control cables should be earthed so I did this but it had no effect. Checked out the earthing and screen on the VFD cable and all good. Last thing I found was to try a Ferrite core on the out VFD cable. Did this and all is working okay. This is strange as the VFD I purchased is a well recognized brand (Ivertek) that has inbuilt EMF filtering and the Spindle and motor were supposed to have been of similar quality. Looks like the cable was not as good as I was led to believe! Thanks again for your help
