[RomanLini]

CarveOne- Good to hear you received the high-current SuperPID all ok in the airmail.

Khalid and Al_the_man- Thanks guys for the hardware suggestions re direct connection to Mach3 via the PC. I have some options already under consideration for future revision of the Super-PID.

RedskinsJBS- Thanks for your order! Also you are right about the semi-log system used for the Super-PID speek knob, more info below.

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Re Mach3 controlling the RPM;

I'll try to break this down to show where it's at at the moment.

1. The Super-PID was designed so it can be operated from a 0v-5v analog voltage to control the RPM. This is standard, similar to many VFDs etc.

2. If you already have a 0v-5v analog control voltage it can be connected instead of the Pot Output wire "PO" and will control the speed. However this raises 2 issues;
A. The 0v-5v range will produce 5000-30000 RPM result.
B. The 5000-30000 is semi-log, not exactly linear.

Both A and B were done deliberately to give the very best possible "feel" of the Super-PID speed knob. Believe it or not my very first pot code was linear; 5000-30000 with 17500 centre of the dial. But it sucked, the low RPMs (that are so critical for tuning cutting) were very touchy on the dial and the 20000-30000 RPM range took up half the dial. Imagine turning the knob 54 degrees at the bottom giving a 100% RPM rise, but the same 54 degrees near the top of the dial gives only a 20% RPM rise! That's the trouble with "linear by RPM" it is terribly clumsy on a speed dial.

So I deliberately coded the pot "feel" to give the very best usability, with a graded semi-log effect so turning the knob 5 degrees near the bottom gives a similar perceived RPM % change as turning the knob 5 degrees near the top. I even expanded the range a little around 10000 RPM giving it even better tunability there. This was tweaked over weeks of me testing and doing cutting jobs etc.

So, for Super-PIDs already in service; you can use a 0v-5v analog speed control voltage but it will give 5000-30000 RPM range and semi-log (so centre dial is about 11000 RPM).

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Hardware options to get 0v-5v from Mach3;

1. Connect the PWM output from Mach3 through any CMOS logic chip (like Khalid's circuit in post #192) then through a 47k resistor and 100uF cap to filter the PWM. Total cost under $2 but is fiddly and you need electronics skills.

2. If you already have the Mach3 PWM signal from a CMOS IC (not direct from the parallel port) but from a buffer IC on a break out board, you only need the 47k resistor and 100uF cap. Many people's break out boards are already set up like this, with CMOS buffers.

3. Or use a third party module to convert the Mach3 PWM to analog 0v-5v signal. Ger21 already posted a link to two products that do this, in post #38. These may or may not need the additional 47k and 100uF filter parts.

4. Gecko G540 users can use a couple of 22k resistors to turn its 0v-10v output into 0v-5v. Then you still connect a 47k resistor and 100uF cap.

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Firmware solutions for now.

I can offer a re-programming service for existing Super-PID users, to make your speed control go from 0-30000 linearly. Note that under 5000 RPM will still be fixed to a 5000 RPM minimum, but the 0-30000 RPM will correspond with Mach3. Please remember this will make your speed control knob feel awful, so this option is best if you want to use Mach3 for speed control only.

I'll discuss with Val the possibility of offering this firmware as an option with new SuperPID purchases. It may add a couple of days to your order time.

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Future product Mach3 compatibility.

For the next PCB revision it looks likely we will add some extra hardware to allow direct PWM input into the Super-PID. This may add a few dollars to the price.

I can also add a switch option to allow changing between 0-30000 linear speed and 5000-30000 semi-log speed, so the user can use either system as desired.

The next PCB version will be some months away, depending on sales. I'm sure Val will post any new product updates well in advance.

Sorry for the long post!

[RedskinsJBS]

Sorry for the long post!

I can live with long posts if they thoroughly answer all of the questions asked! Thank you very much for your time.

Now, I am going to assume that I could wire up a SPDT (SPCO) switch in line with the 'sense' terminal on the POT and I would be able to switch from POT speed control to Mach3 speed control?

Is there any need to wire the grounds to a switch as well?

I think initially all of my speed control will be done by hand, but once I get comfortable with this whole thing, I may move on to allowing Mach to control the router speed.

[lancut]

"Gecko G540 users can use a couple of 22k resistors to turn its 0v-10v output into 0v-5v. Then you still connect a 47k resistor and 100uF cap."

I'm getting closer to pace an order. Can you post some sort of illustration/ schematic how the capacitor and the resistors should be connected? Thanks.

"Sorry for the long post!" No apology necessary, after all, it benefit those who want/need to know about the product...

[ger21]

Hardware options to get 0v-5v from Mach3

1. Connect the PWM output from Mach3 through any CMOS logic chip (like Khalid's circuit in post #192) then through a 47k resistor and 100uF cap to filter the PWM. Total cost under $2 but is fiddly and you need electronics skills.

Roman, would it be possible to draw up a schematic for us electronically challenged?? The circuit Khalid posted had both a forward and reverse, and was a bit unclear to me.
Since I'll have a free wire in my SuperPID case, I would like to give this a try. Still haven't placed my Mouser order, so I'll kill a whole flock of birds with one shot.




Off to the garage for more wiring fun.....

[revwarguy]

Thanks for the clear explanation, Roman. Makes perfect sense.

I guess I'll try the 22k voltage divider with the 47k series resist and the 100 uf cap across the G540 output. We'll see how that goes. If that's not good, can I just order a replacement firmware as opposed to sending one back? When I get this working, I have the feeling I'm not gonna want any downtime with it!

Looking forward to playing with this - still waiting for my order! Its a long way from there, eh?

[ger21]

still waiting for my order! Its a long way from there, eh?

Mine took about 2 weeks to get here.

Here's today's progress. One hour of staring at my control box, and one hour to connect 2 wires. It's a bit hard to get a good pic of the display, as it over exposes.

Need to mount the router, solder the sensor, and connect the 110V. May take until Friday night.

[lancut]

It looks good! Waiting for Fridays report.

[RomanLini]

RedskinsJBS- You are correct, if you want so switch between the speed knob and Mach3 input you just need a SPDT switch, to changeover that one wire.

Thanks also re your suggestion before of charting the Super-PID semi-log knob. I'll try to get some time to do that over the next day or so.

Lancut- Thanks for the suggestion, I will make up a simple wiring diagram of how to connect that.

Ger21- You want a schematic of how to connect a CMOS buffer IC? Sure I will draw one up too. Remember if your PWM signal has already come from a buffer IC on a breakout board there is no need for a separate IC.

Good to see your Super-PID light up! Those LCD displays are hard to photograph. I look forward to seeing yours cutting too! Check those mains wires are screwed down tight.

Revwarguy- You're an electronics guy so you should have no trouble wiring up those 3 resistors and a cap. That will get it up and running fine with 5000-30000 control. Val has approved me handling chip exchanges, although the concept was as a turnaround chip exchange not chip sales.

[ger21]

Ger21- You want a schematic of how to connect a CMOS buffer IC? Sure I will draw one up too. Remember if your PWM signal has already come from a buffer IC on a breakout board there is no need for a separate IC.

Connected directly to a parallel port pin.

Good to see your Super-PID light up! Those LCD displays are hard to photograph. I look forward to seeing yours cutting too! Check those mains wires are screwed down tight.

I'm going to redo them tonight, as one pair is backwards, since I couldn't see the numbers on the wires when I attached them.

[CarveOne]

Mine took about 2 weeks to get here.

Here's today's progress. One hour of staring at my control box, and one hour to connect 2 wires. It's a bit hard to get a good pic of the display, as it over exposes.

Need to mount the router, solder the sensor, and connect the 110V. May take until Friday night.

Gerry, That's a good looking heat sink add-on. I thought about adding a plate sort of like that but had not thought about adding the holes. For the PC7518 Super-PID I found an old PC PSU circuit board that has a heat sink on it that I can steal. Another idea I had is to add a scrap piece of aluminum angle or aluminum plywood edging and bandsaw some kerfs into the "fin(s)".

CarveOne

[Khalid]

Just installed the super-PID, wired and tested.. awesome man... At 5000 almost no noise, at 12000 i am hearing it louder but How was i working in intense noise at 25000 for the past 4-years... That was a torture really..

I am searching for my camera to post some pictures and video but still not found... Okay going to search it again..

[Khalid]

Although i was busy today in some other activities but i got some time and completed Super-PID cabling and tested successfully... Attached are the self explanatory pictures..

The Super-PID enclosure look dirty but i will install a colored screen labeling all buttons....

I will post details of all by tomorrow .. Soon i will upload the video..

[CarveOne]

Looks good Khalid! You are going to like your new setup.

CarveOne

[lancut]

"Just installed the super-PID, wired and tested.. awesome man... At 5000 almost no noise, at 12000 i am hearing it louder but How was i working in intense noise at 25000 for the past 4-years... That was a torture really.."

Nice setup Khalid, did you try it under the load meaning making a actual cut, how it is performing?

[Khalid]

Nice setup Khalid, did you try it under the load meaning making a actual cut, how it is performing?

Thanks lancut, Very soon i will test it on actual work piece and show the results.... Currently very excited about the quietness in my CNC room...

My CNC machine looks more scientific ... Its now special :cheers:

[Khalid]

Here is the video:



Just Observed the initial screen has wrong address to super-PID website.. this should be www.superpid.com

[lancut]

Nice job. Waiting for response from RomanLini so I can proceed.

[ger21]

OK, I got the sensor wired and working, and had a minor setback.
One, I burned my finger on the soldering iron

And two, I miscalculated the length of my power wire, and it's too short by a few inches. I guess I didn't figure I'd need about 4" inside the router, + the 4" in the strain relief.
And once I connect the other end, I'll have an extra 2 feet or so. So, I'll splice a little in and order a new cable.

But the sensor works very good at about 2mm, with 3 bars on the black and full bars on the white.

[SatanKlawz]

I am wanting to buy one of these, and I sent an email with questions last night. Maybe some of you here can help better.

I have a Bosch 1617evs router I would like to use this with. It does not have the full throttle click on the speed control. Do you know for sure or not if I can pop the top on this particular router and hard wire around the speed control? If so will I retain the soft start feature on the router? Also I am using a Gecko G540 driver and mach 3 software to run my machine, Do you know if I will be directly able to set the speed control via the software using this? Also, will I need a relay to control the on/off of the router or is there one built into this unit? I would like to order while it is on sale so please help me out guys!

[revwarguy]

I am wanting to buy one of these, and I sent an email with questions last night. Maybe some of you here can help better.

You're not going to get any better help than from Roman.

I have a Bosch 1617evs router I would like to use this with. It does not have the full throttle click on the speed control. Do you know for sure or not if I can pop the top on this particular router and hard wire around the speed control?

The answer is quite probably. Most of us here are early adopters - even though no one may have tired your particular router before, we're giving it a try with ours. If you want to be sure, you'll just have to wait until someone else with your router has done it and reports here. Go back and look at previous posts in this thread to see the kind of support we've been getting.

If so will I retain the soft start feature on the router?

I am using a Bosch Colt, and it also has (had) a soft start feature, so I am assuming it works the same, and no, you probably won't retain the Bosch's soft start feature if you disable it's speed control. However, Roman has tuned the feedback loop to start up gracefully, so I am hoping the SuperPID does this at least as well, if not better.

Also I am using a Gecko G540 driver and mach 3 software to run my machine,

Me, too.

Do you know if I will be directly able to set the speed control via the software using this?

Look back over the previous dozen or so messages - Roman has provided a couple of scenarios to do this. I plan on it.

Also, will I need a relay to control the on/off of the router or is there one built into this unit?

This unit controls the router - an output from Mach3 turns it on and off instead of a relay. Download the instructions pdf from www.SuperPID.com and many of your questions, including some you haven't thought of, will be answered. Make sure you feel comfortable with the installation requirements in that document.

I would like to order while it is on sale so please help me out guys!


Nothing stopping you!