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Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
Hi,I have converted some of this controllers but for some dumb reason I have never share this information and I find out is nothing out there showing how is done and is a lot of this machines from the small wood cutting cnc routers to small cnc mills /lathes and the most heavy prolight machines,here is how is done for you to retrofit or convert your controller to work with mach 3 with no extra stuff ,cards etc,the spindle part I never enable the spindle with the parallel i always use a jumper,I hope some one has a good idea ,I will try to implement some kind of switch to be enable with parallel but if some one has a good idea is welcome for sure.
Please be nice, I know my writing may not be the best but English is my second language.
I attach a pdf i try to reduce the size for easy sharing, Enjoy.
Moderators please if this is not the correct place to put this please move it.
Re: Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lerma303
Yes but don't cut the line that enable the drivers ,with some modification you don't need the jumper on the ground to enable the spindle and you don't need to cut the line for the drivers to be enable and is more safe since you will enable the drivers and the relays ,including the spindle all from Mach 3 software ,will try to update today.
Do you have any updates to this Lerma? What did you do to achieve spindle control without cutting driver lines? Also, what did you use to connect wires into the optocouplers...appears to be a square connector of some sort. What gauge wire are you using to connect from resistor networks? I'm new to all of this so I don't know, just following along with your help :)
Re: Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mhopkins74
I got the control board on mine converted today. Hopefully this weekend I can test it out. Has anybody figured out how to do this modification to the tmc 1000 or pro light mill controller yet? Would save some money if one has.
Hi,the pro light uses thew same controller ,I already convert one of this machines.
Re: Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
So on the prolight 3000 lathe, do you p0lug the db9 into the control box now to gain z axis control? I have 2 plugs in the db9 port of the control box. do I pull those out ? scratching my head a little.
Re: Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
Wow, Thank you very much for the instructions. We have 3 machine to convert, a Light Machine CNC Router, a benchtop mill and lathe... I was investigating how to go after this and this seem to be the easiest/cheapest i found so far. We are a small High school robotics club so our budget is very limited... Anyone used this instruction successfully yet?
Re: Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
Nice work, Here it is 2018 and I just got an email from someone asking me if I could help set up a Spectralight with Mach3.
Re: Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by
banjodave
Nice work, Here it is 2018 and I just got an email from someone asking me if I could help set up a Spectralight with Mach3.
Great I hope this help a lot of people this are little great machines with lots of useful life and with a converted control you have many good years of use ,the spindle some one else told me is controlled by potentiometer you can rewire to the control on the pin that I mention for the spindle and use a relay for full control ,just be sure you use a desktop if you try a laptop sometimes it fails to move properly the motors ,if any one need some help let me know
Thank you
Re: Conversion or Retrofit Of light machines controller to artsoft Mach 3
I have 2 of these control boxes that I don't plan to use.
If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to sell them.