Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

So, in the PID menu, I discovered that I have smooth feedback from the encoder as shown.

Is this helpful?

STO Error is cleared and Z-axis is behaving, after wiggling terminals and re-connecting.

Spindle quadrature error has been (sort-of) resolved.

Somehow, it was understanding the spindle as an axis, and so it wasn't allowing me to spin it unless stall protection was disabled.

How do I reconfigure this so that stall detection can be enabled for the axes, but not the spindle?

-H

That sounds to me like some small mistake in configuration but I don't believe I have seen this issue before. Could you please post a fresh report and then we'll take a look at the parameter values.

Disabling stall detection probably makes the control ignore encoder quadrature errors, among many other things.

If you configure the control to have a spindle encoder, then by default that encoder is required to provide good feedback (no differential errors, no quadrature errors).

If you want to run your control with a spindle encoder configured, but without providing reliable signals, then you can selectively suppress differential errors and quadrature errors, and their associated messages, using Parameters 332 - 335. See section 15.4.177 in the operator's manual.

For example, if you want to make it so that a quadrature error on Hickory encoder input #1 does not trigger a stall or fault condition, then you would set Parameter 334 = 1.

That would allow you to test-run the control with fewer interruptions, while you get a scope and figure out what the real problem is. Sometimes it is a failing encoder; sometimes it is excessive noise on the encoder cable.

Ok, Thanks.

I definitely want the encoder to be active and accurate. Wiring is dressed with AC wiring, but I thought I could get by with this because it is shielded. Perhaps not?

Here is the report:

I do not see any unusual settings in the report but I do see the Quadrature error reported.

I suggest moving the encoder cable away from the power wiring and hitting the DB9 connector with some contact cleaner. If the AC lines pick up noise from the VFD or the other drives, it may be able to transfer enough noise even with the shield.

Ok, thanks, I'll try that.

Meanwhile, I'm working to understand and set up the ATC.

I can operate the Carousel motor from the pendant, but have been unable to operate the tool release switch also. I can see response at input 27 where the tool release switch is wired to, but somehow it isn't commanding the output (though I can command the output manually).

Following instructions in TB112, I have been trying to check/set the index position for the spindle, but m80 sent through the MDI has not effect (while pressing AUX12 on the pendant keypad).

While we're at it, I'd also like to be able to command the worklight from the pendant. How do I set this? The button on the VCP doesn't control that output either.

I created bout 3/4" of air gap between AC wires and spindle encoder cable. Also, put contact cleaner on the pins and re-seated a few times. No change.

I was playing around in the hickory wizard and noticed that I have built my PLC configuration on top of the "Hickory Bench Test" preset, instead of the "Hickory Umbrella" Preset that most nearly matches it. Are there any consequences to this?

-H

Nope, the presets are only changing I/O assignments. All the logic is the same between Benchtest and Umbrella presets.