[FineLineAuto]

We're thinking about redoing our electronics offerings. What would you most like to see? A full plug and play system with an enclosure? USB motion control boards? Reply and let us know.


Nate
Fine Line Automation
Home - Fine Line Automation

[FineLineAuto]

We have decided to offer a full controller cabinet going forward. Here's a few pictures of the cabinet layout we are looking at:

Attachment 227454
Attachment 227456

A couple of notes:

1) Everything is gonna be in a 3U rack mount box. The box will have rubber feet for setting it on a shelf or it is rack mountable along a rack.

2) It's going to use the 5042 digital stepper drives from Leadshine, the worlds largest maker of stepper drivers. We have tested quite a few drivers and are VERY pleased with these drivers for the motors.

3) We are torn at the moment from going with 2 of the 48V 7.3A power supplies or just using 1 of the 48V 12.5A power supplies. The things we like about using the 2 smaller supplies is that they can support up to 6 of the 3.5A motors and end up being about the same price, which is useful if you want to be able to add a 5th axis to the system. It is however, another failure point.

4) The breakout board at this point is the C35 quick connect board from CNC4PC. It generally keeps the wires tidy and shielded with the ethernet connections. We aren't totally tied to it, so suggestions for other boards are certainly welcome.

5) We will be offering this in both the native Parallel Port board and also with the UC100 Motion control board.

6) The motors for the system are changing. We are partnering with Automation Technology and going to be using the 380 oz-in 3.5A motors with the low 2.8mH inductance. You no longer have to choose between the lower inductance and more torque. The motors are going to have a Molex MiniFit power connector on the end and be snap it to the motor cables. The motor cables are now going to be 18ga wire and are going to have the same Molex connectors on them so it's literally just snap in.

6) On the front side panel, we will be locating an E-Stop and an enable button to start the entire system. We are thinking some LED readouts on the system status would be nice eventually as well.

7) On the back side panel, we are going to be handling the 4 motor connections (which are now the molex connectors), 2 relay controlled outlets for accessories like router on/off control or dust collector control, the connection to the computer, a VFD connection, a probe connection, and homing/limit switch connections.

Let us know your thoughts, what you like and hate, what you would change. We are looking for a couple of testers for this cabinet. Contact us if you're interested.


Nate
Fine Line Automation
Home - Fine Line Automation

[FineLineAuto]

Circling back around on this. Here's the NEMA 34 control box after coming off the mill. With the massive power supply everything is going to be really tight.

Attachment 244998
Attachment 245000
Attachment 245002

[hjl4]

"7) On the back side panel, we are going to be handling the 4 motor connections (which are now the molex connectors),"

I don't know. a back panel means you need access to it which means can't put machine back up against the wall. Floor space compromised.

[FineLineAuto]

"7) On the back side panel, we are going to be handling the 4 motor connections (which are now the molex connectors),"

I don't know. a back panel means you need access to it which means can't put machine back up against the wall. Floor space compromised.

This is just a control box. The depth on the control box is only 12" and it can be put wherever you desire. Most likely, it's going to be up front where the operator is and won't cause any issues putting a machine up against a wall. We wanted to declutter the front interface to the only controllers the operator needs access to on a continual basis: Enable System and Emergency stop.

You can still put the machine up against a wall if you wish, though we generally recommend at least 2 feet of space on each side. Often times, especially on the 4'x4' and 4'x8' machines, you will need access to 2 opposing sides to situate the clamps properly. If you use vacuum clamping it's no problem but regular t-track clamps or screwing to a board can be an issue.

[FineLineAuto]

Got the wiring of the 2 initial units done. Definitely going to need to create a backplane for most of this in the future.

Attachment 245642

[Al_The_Man]

A little cable trough would not come amiss?
Usually the heat producing items are placed at the top of the enclosure.
Al.

[FineLineAuto]

A little cable trough would not come amiss?
Usually the heat producing items are placed at the top of the enclosure.
Al.

These are the beta units. The cabling will definitely get cleaned up. The next step is develop a wire harness.

The layout of components was largely based on the connection order. That main heat producing items (48V power supply and motor drivers) are oriented vertically on the side to facilitate heat transfer. There is venting across the entire top of the box. Overall, with an active 70mm fan pushing air through the box I am not to concerned. I'll take some temperature reading when I fire it up.