[bill.anderson]

I can't get the spindle to track Mach3 speed commands and when I enable the spindle I get
a 134rpm movement. This does not track linearly with additional speed. The spindle calibration utility does not increase spindle speed past 251 rpm. I am using the latest lockdown Mach3 and SmoothStepper driver and plugin. Windows XP sp3. Any ideas?

bill a.

[patriotfan]

Sounds like your spinlde is not picking up the index pulses, go into your configuation set up in Mach3 Lathe and look at Ports and Pins,Scroll down to Input Signals,Enable the Index and assign Port# to 1, and Pin# to 10. While your there make sure your E- stop is enabled.

[bill.anderson]

Mach3 recognizes the index pulses and the DRO matches the external scanner I am using.

[patriotfan]

Bill,
I had a the same problem and found that the indexing was part of the problem. The other problem I had was I had anti virus software and it kept scanning and interfering with the signal. I disabled the anti virus software and only have Windows XP and Mach3 on my computer and it is dedicated to my machine. I don't know if this will help you but if you would like, I can send you screen shots of my set up and you can check your set up against mine. Just send me a private message.
Mark

[bill.anderson]

I have found part of the problem. Something in the Nowforever VFD was not right. I found in the manual that pg 64 that setting P1-001 to 1 reset the VFD to original factory default values. I then used the VFD TAPPING AND CSS SETTINGS that JT sent me and Voila I regained control through Mach3. I still am looking to accurately set the spindle speed through Mach3. Nothing I have found seems to accurately change the speed.

[Bears]

I am having a problem. I need to know where the wires from Pins 8 & 9 go to the VFD.

[bill.anderson]

The attached is the Shoptask supplied wiring diagram for the Gecko 540 attached to the Shoptask supplied NowForever VFD . One thing I found out is that pin 9 on the Gecko expects 10vdc to provide a relatively linear output. If you wire it as JT says you get 12v, you won't be able to get anything like linear control from Mach3. The potentiometer on the front panel will work just fine.

bill a.

[Bears]

I was a millwrite so I am electronic dumb. I can follow directions.
If pin 8 going to the VFD 12V is wrong. What is the options.

[bill.anderson]

In that case just follow the wiring diagram

[terrycan]

I worked with JT and increased the RPM to around 2250 max.

The VFD is set to 120hz.

Adjustments in MachIII were required. Max RPM had an influence.

May have adjusted the ratio in Mach for the mill spindle. Would have to check my notes.

Used a hand held tach for the mill spindle.

Command verses true RPM is accurate within 3%

Manual switches are disengaged. Use MDI for spindle on off.

JT is good to work with. He will help.

[Bears]

They now say to move the black wire that goes to the ground on the power sourse from the COM wire on the lower left side of the VFD Move it from ground to the next terminal at - V

Dan Mauch just told JT today

[bill.anderson]

Thanks - maybe that will help some of my problems

[bill.anderson]

That didn't help