Build Thread Industrial CNC Acorn upgrade

[Gary Campbell]

Go back and do the bench test procedure with one motor and do not connect the alarm or ENA. Do not set any inputs as drive or spindle OK. get the motor working, then do the same for the rest. Only then determine if the alarm is NO or NC logic, connect and configure an input as an alarm.

[centroid467]

What is 'tuning software''?

Those drives have a port up top for an RS232 adapter. You connect that to your computer and run the Leadshine MotionStudio software from the downloads page here: https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/close ... otor-cl86t

It probably is not necessary at all for this setup but it could be useful if you find a need to adjust internal drive settings. Basically, don't worry about that yet and do what Gary said.

[suntravel]

What is 'tuning software''?

Motion Studio, download here:

https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/de/sc ... -cl86t-v41

I am using this also to test if the stepper is running, if not the power cable might be wired wrong and needs to be wired right.

If the stepper is running with motion studio connect the Acorn Pul Dir.

It makes no sense to search for an error in the CNC connection if the power cable is not ok.

If it runs with Pul Dir connect ALM

Uwe

[Tim Berframe]

Uwe,
Thanks so much for helping. That software is not on their technical service page and in fact over there, it says there is not a software version for v4.1 so thanks, I didn't think to look on the sales page for the drive.

Gary,
Everything is in the box but I have enough terminal blocks, fuses, breakers to isolate it all. I have the power supply wired through the contactor safety circuit and thus the use of DriveOK. I did bypass this and shut off the DriveOK input while disconnecting alarm and enable circuits with the same results so eliminated that as a problem. I have my old 48v powersupply that I am rigging now to completely duplicate a bare bones bench test. I don't expect a change (because the two are electrically identical) but will try and let you know...

I dont have internet at the shop so I have to bounce back home to participate on here so there is a bit of delay in these steps.

Thanks again for all the help you guys provide.

[suntravel]

https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/index ... 230914.rar

Download Link for the software.

I am using this on all V3 and V4.1 drivers

Uwe

[Tim Berframe]

So I cant buy the db9 to usb connector in my town. It will be at least a week before I get one to test the motors with the software.

I did tear everything apart and did a bare bones bench test from scratch. Motors lock but don't move. I swapped evry combo of two drives and two motors - none worked. I opened one motor lead and verified that pins 4&3 and 1&2 are the two coils. Colors match the documentation. I tried switching polarity at the drive one coil at a time. No change in behavior. I had S1 set for peak. I tried upping it to 5amps RMS. No change.

[Sword]

You could try setting them into "Open Loop" mode with SW6 ON. This would remove the encoders/cables from the equation as well.

[ShawnM]

In your report you have the step/rev set differently for X, Y and Z, are they set the same on the drives? You also have the step rate set at 400,000, set it to 100,000 in the wizard to start.

You say you used a old printer cable, did you cut one end off and tone it out or do you have it between Acorn and a DB25 breakout board? DB25 printer cables are not pin for pin.

I have retrofit two of those machine for customers, there is a lot of mechanical backlash on the X and Y axis so be prepared to make several mechanical adjustments to the gearing on both axis to get it down to a minimal amount before setting up backlash comp in the software.

[Tim Berframe]

ShawnM,

The drives are set to match CNC12. I have tried 1600 and 4000. I have tried 100k, 200k, and 400k for the max step rate. At 500ipm max set, it should never pulse above 44000Khz during the test.

I cut the cable and pinned out all the wires. They have 0 resistance so I think they are fine.

I would love to hear more about what you did to help with mechanical backlash. I bought these cheap Stepperonline steppers (rather than the Clearpaths I wanted) because having tore the machine apart and seen how cheaply its made, I don't think its worth big money for servos if the gear train is weak and the frame is flexible and the nylon gears don't last.
I'm setting up auto squaring because the last owner stated that it loses square frequently. I knew this would be due to lost steps and/or backlash. In your retrofits, did you replace the nylon gears?

[cnckeith]

loses square frequently.

sounds like it is skipping a tooth. redo the drive train if it is using nylon gears. otherwise it will plague you forever.