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IndustryArena Forum > CNC Electronics > CNC Machine Related Electronics > Not sure what motion controller to use
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
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    Not sure what motion controller to use

    Hello, I will be building an epoxy granite VMC, my plan is to use BT30 ATC spindle powered by 2.2kW CTB servo. In the future, I will also make umbrella style fully automatic tool change. I want to know whitch motion controller would be suitable for this application? How do I tell the servo drive the exact RPM in needs to spin, example: rigid tapping. Servo drive supports RS232, RS485 for MODBUS protocol, and also EtherCAT communication. I will attach photos from datasheet for more info. Do I have to use a motion controller that supports one of those protocols? My knowledge in this area is not very good so please enlighten me if I said something that doesnt make sense.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails ctbservo.PNG   ctbservo2.PNG   ctbservo3.PNG  

  2. #2
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    Feb 2018
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    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    Would MODBUS work with RS485, ethernet smoothstepper and mach3 brain?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    35538

    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    I don't believe you can control motion with Modbus in Mach3.

    It looks like you can use Step/Dir with the A and B terminals on T4.

    Or, you can use analog ±10V.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  4. #4
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    Feb 2018
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    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    I don't believe you can control motion with Modbus in Mach3.

    It looks like you can use Step/Dir with the A and B terminals on T4.

    Or, you can use analog ±10V.
    I will look more at Step/Dir on T4, thanks.

    Analog 10V would work, but it doesnt give me precise enough rpm for rigid tapping right?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    35538

    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    With a servo with encoder, it should be just as precise as step/dir.

    Note that you'll need an analog capable controller, which is typically much more expensive.

    I would not recommend using Mach3 on a new machine, as it's development stopped years ago.
    You might want to look at the Centroid Acorn, LinuxCNC, UCCNC, or EdingCNC.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    8

    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    With a servo with encoder, it should be just as precise as step/dir.

    Note that you'll need an analog capable controller, which is typically much more expensive.

    I would not recommend using Mach3 on a new machine, as it's development stopped years ago.
    You might want to look at the Centroid Acorn, LinuxCNC, UCCNC, or EdingCNC.
    Thought about using Mach3 because I already use it on my router. But i dont mind having to learn new software, as long as there is some support online.

    Will look more into Acorn, it has direct spindle encoder feedback and rigid tapping, which is what I want. Does this board work only with their software?

    About LinuxCNC, what board to use? mesa?

    For UCCNC, i need ESS board, but it doesnt have a proper interface to fully control servo spindle drive.

    Haven't heard of EdingCNC tho.

    Thanks for help!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    UCCNC does NOT work with ESS, only with CNC Drive control boards.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    1753

    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    Linuxcnc works with ethercat..

    https://forum.linuxcnc.org/24-hal-co...driver?start=0

    Also. Mesa is certainly a good company.

  9. #9
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    Jul 2003
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    1753

    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    And can do rigid tapping

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    943

    Re: Not sure what motion controller to use

    For UCCNC, i need ESS board, but it doesnt have a proper interface to fully control servo spindle drive.
    No, for UCCNC you need one of their motion controller, not an ESS.

    UCCNC can do rigid tapping with spindle encoder feedback.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqNfKvWuOBI

    It can also control servo spindle, it supports step/dir spindle mode.

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