Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Hi All - New user here. Everything has been going well, and I am up and running. Limit Switches, Motors Tuned, Probe Works, and I've made many parts already.

Tonight after having my spindle completely manually operated, I decided to have Acorn control my VFD. Success again. However, Acorn starts to make move towards the part before the spindle has fully come to speed. I've been scouring the manual for the parameter with no luck.

Does anyone know how to increase the delay?

Thanks
Greg

In the M3 macro, and after the spindle comes on add the following:

G4 P#, where # is the number of seconds you would like the pause (or dwell) to be.

Thank you, I will try and see if I can get it. I at least now understand the methodology for how these changes are made.

Thanks again, greatly appreciated!

Thanks again, I got this sorted out, and this info on how to modify the M commands will be helpful in the future.

Similar but different question. Yes I can put in a delay for the spindle during the post processing. My question is if I am using the relay board to turn on and off (Power) to my VFD, how do I do that in the script and still permit time for it to cycle through it's warm up? I was just turning on the VFD with a switch and then allowing ACORN to control the spindle. Would I just add a "Pxxx" for 30 sec to 1 min to permit the VFD to get ready?


My goal is to have as much automation as possible from the G-Code/M-code.

Thank you

Please eleborate with pictures and description of your machine.
It is not typical for a CNC controller to power up and down a VFD. Primarily because it takes awhile for the VFD to come on line after power up.

It is more typical to have a control signal, usually the digital common go through an estop relay in order to enable or disable the VFD.

As for delays in post processing. Gary explained you just add a G4 P.x. (where x equals the time of the delay) in the Mcode. Should have nothing to do with a post processor.

I guess we need to know more about your machine setup and what you are trying to accomplish, because we can't "see" it and what you are trying to do. Description, pictures and better yet, a narrated video clip posted on YouTube (You can unlist the video and share the link with those that need to see it) would be most helpful, in order to give you clear guidance and help.

Marty

newguy…
I build systems with my VFD, servo power supply, etc. each on their own contactor. Those contactors are activated (24vdc coils) by an Acorn relay, usually OP1 or OP2 set to "NoFaultOut", which activates once the BBG boots and CNC12 software is connected. Because of the built in features of that setting, power will be killed to these contactors if/when an estop or reset is activated. No pause is required.

That's great. I did not think about them being powered without a command function. I will definatly do that so the VFD poewrs on when the board boots.

Thank you.

I was just reviewing your post again. Are you saying that if I hook up my VFD power through the relay 1 or 2, I can remove the spool up delay programmed in the VFD? It was my assumption that the delay was to reduce the wear on the spindle.

Marty,

I think you answered my question. I did not think I could use the ACORN board to control the power on/off of the VFD for the reasons you mentioned.