DC all in one- what do I need to run an AC servo 4th axis?

[Thinkin]

I have a DC all in one controller and I have a line on a FANUC 4th axis with a 127V 4.2A AC servo. What hardware is out there to run this? Small shop on a very tight budget here.

What's the current Fusion360 preferred post processor for 3 and 4 axis machining? (Not the $1600 yr add on for simultaneous). My centroid hardware is installed but I had to park the machine for a few years and haven't done the software yet so I'm getting back into this project. I'm running the PLC with an ATC.

Also I have a dream of running this machine manually using 3 encoder wheels. How do I make this happen and still run a 4th axis? Does cnc12 support manual jogging on all axis?

[suntravel]

Current fusion Centroid PP is for 5 Axis, without machining extension 4th axis is only indexing or wrapping with the tool on centerline of the 4th axis.

Jogging all axis is no problem for CNC12

Uwe

[centroid467]

Using that AC servo on the 4th axis may be possible with the ALLIN1DC but will depend on the motor and cost a bit more than you'd want. If it is compatible with our AC/DC drive (pn 12854/12855), then you'd be able to use it but you'll need another power supply, custom PLC work, and possibly a change in the encoder. The AC/DC itself is $1600 for the low power variant. You might need to send the motor in for inner loop tuning on our end and there is no autotune.

Our recommended solution is to replace the motor with a DC servo and add a DC1 (pn 11112) to the system. This should be most cost effective and requires no custom PLC work. The DC1 is $640 and we sell DC servos starting at $1225 but you do not necessarily have to use our motors as long as the encoder is right. There are tuning guides in the ALLIN1DC documents and autotune features in CNC12 to get it up and running quickly.

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As far as handwheels go, your options are to get the ENCEXP (pn 13085) encoder expansion board for $395 or wait for USBBOB (pn 15398) to be released. You'll need the extra hardware since 5 of the 6 ports on the ALLIN1DC will be occupied by the axis and spindle encoders. And yes, CNC12 supports manual jogging on all axes using handwheel encoders.

[tblough]

If you are not going add a spindle encoder, then you can have 4 axis, and 3 handwheels without adding and encoder expansion board.

The AllIn1DC actually has 7 encoder ports. One is used for the pendant. If you have individual hand wheels for X,Y, and Z, then you don't need the pendant. You can use that port for a third handwheel, but you will need to make a custom cable. Not a difficult task.

[Thinkin]

Thanks for the info. I currently have no spindle encoder but may add one... one day. I have the wireless pendant which is USB.

It looks like the DC servo option is my only route.

Thanks for the info.