Running Mach3 with a Step four router

Hello

After some passive use of CNC zone forum
i am having a problem which i cannot solve by myself.
A good reason to step in!

I am currently running my Step4 precise 760 router with mach3.
It was quite easy to get the XYZ Axis working with the Step four SF-C2 controller. but here it comes!
I do also have a SFC-160 spindle controller which connects to the
SF-C2 box with a serial connector.
i cannot figure out how to get the spindle working with Mach3
I,ve found a lot of data on the internet about ports and pins, but
not one file shows the actual signal flow of the SF-C2 controller,
or the pin settings, and signals that are used to steer the spindle.
Does anybody know how to configure this setup?

Best regards
Bram

Hello,

need help in setting up my step four basic540 working with mach 3.

Need to configure ports pins etc.

thanks in advance

Hello Floros

to drive the XYZ axis from your 540 with mach 3
you need to set pins as following.

////////// Step // Dir ///////////

X axis pins 2 and 3
Y axis pins 4 and 5
Z axis pins 8 and 9

Pins 6 and 7 can be configured for relay switching.

Best regards,
Bram

Thanks a lot Bram.

I will give it a try tomrrow and let you know if is working


Regards

Floros

I looked at the step-four site....What type of spindle is it? DC or AC vfd controlled, other? put up a picture of the spindle and controller that will help a lot.

Hi,
I've just come across this old thread which deals with the same issue that I have. Hopefully someone will pick up on this and may have an answer or send me in the right direction.
I have recently connected my StepFour Basic 540 to a Mach 3 control computer, having previously ran it on the DOS based StepFour software. I couldn't believe how straight froward it was ! However, the Basic 540 uses a VFD controlled spindle and I would like to connect the VFD to the SFC-2 control box to automate this also. I am assuming that I use the serial socket to connect it but does anyone know what the settings (pins etc) to produce the 0 - 10v signal feed. I am also struggling to find the pin settings for the relay controls from the SFC-2.
Any help or pointers will be much appreciated.
Regards
Ali

Quote:

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Originally Posted by B-Sure

Hello

After some passive use of CNC zone forum
i am having a problem which i cannot solve by myself.
A good reason to step in!

I am currently running my Step4 precise 760 router with mach3.
It was quite easy to get the XYZ Axis working with the Step four SF-C2 controller. but here it comes!
I do also have a SFC-160 spindle controller which connects to the
SF-C2 box with a serial connector.
i cannot figure out how to get the spindle working with Mach3
I,ve found a lot of data on the internet about ports and pins, but
not one file shows the actual signal flow of the SF-C2 controller,
or the pin settings, and signals that are used to steer the spindle.
Does anybody know how to configure this setup?

Best regards
Bram

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Hi Bram!

I know it's been a long time since you posted this but did you make any progress with the machine?

I just bought a Step-four Basic 540 with the SF-C2 controller and the SFC-160 spindle for 200€ and I'm trying to figure out if I can make it fully operational with Mach3.

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rpbenito

Hi Bram!

I know it's been a long time since you posted this but did you make any progress with the machine?

I just bought a Step-four Basic 540 with the SF-C2 controller and the SFC-160 spindle for 200€ and I'm trying to figure out if I can make it fully operational with Mach3.

Thanks!

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Hola !! Tengo una cnc stepfour y ahí estoy con ella moviendola con mach3. ¿Quieres que comentemos sobre ellas? Gracias ||