584,842 active members*
4,554 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > Machine Controllers Software and Solutions > PlanetCNC > servo as a milling spindle and synchronize
Results 1 to 16 of 16
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    257

    servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    Is it possible to use a servo as a milling spindle and synchronize the speed with the Z-axis so that you can cut threads?
    Für CNC-Milling Machine, not Lathe.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1295

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    I have servo motor for spindle on my new machine.
    It is speed controlled, not positionally. Driver has an option for encoder output. I use it for synchronization.

    I will have more info about how I did it in future weeks when I get more used to machine.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    4281

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    Hi,
    I have a servo as spindle motor and I can have it synchronize to do rigid tapping, I use Mach4 however, I dont know whether your
    control system can do it.

    Craig

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    5717

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    Quote Originally Posted by tantemay View Post
    Is it possible to use a servo as a milling spindle and synchronize the speed with the Z-axis so that you can cut threads?
    Für CNC-Milling Machine, not Lathe.
    Yes it's possible to use a servo motor for a spindle motor. But this is not needed for rigid tapping.

    To synchronize the spindle to the Z axis only requires an encoder, or in some cases, only a once per rotation sensor on the spindle.

    Doing this requires that your control will support the encoder or sensor input and that your software has rigid tapping available.
    Jim Dawson
    Sandy, Oregon, USA

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1295

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    With "only once per rotation" controller does not receive enough information about spindle to do reliable rigid tapping. Flexible collet is a must.
    With encoder rigid tapping works fine. Some servo drivers have encoder output which can be used and works great. Like I said, I have servo motor on my new machine and I'm using it as normal spindle.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    41

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    Please, can you explain the connection - point to point - between the servo motor driver (step/dir input, maybe) and MK3 controller, and setting on TNG?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Posts
    107

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    First thing to consider using a drive with step dir signal as spindle is to understand that mk3 does not use any acceleration on the frequency signal for spindle. so the used servo controller has to handle that. If the servo controller is a stupid one, it will result in error due to high acceleration and position follow errors. The drive needs an option to set own acceleration and to allow high step differences between step signal and actual position. Not all servo drives can be configured that way.

    To connect a servo drive as spindle, connect the dir signal from servo drive to the output of the mk3 you have selected as ccw in spindle settings.
    Connect step signal from drive to the output you selected as speed output in spindle settings. Must be one of the pwm capable outputs.
    Then set spindle speed signal to Frequency and set the desired values.

    Synchronisation is not required by feedback of encoder in that case, because the spindle will rotate at exact speed So you can set the syncing to the optio "as set" in settings.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1295

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    Some servo drivers also have "virtual encoder" which you can use for spindle synchronization. Works great on my machines..

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    41

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    Ok. Thank you!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2021
    Posts
    9

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    Quote Originally Posted by PlanetCNC View Post
    Some servo drivers also have "virtual encoder" which you can use for spindle synchronization. Works great on my machines..
    hello this is a diagram of the connection of the servo controller which pins (numbers) have to be connected to the MK3

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    1516
    Quote Originally Posted by Macwolf View Post
    hello this is a diagram of the connection of the servo controller which pins (numbers) have to be connected to the MK3

    I have a board with line drivers and high speed optos built into it for direct connection to incremental encoders.
    I'm not entirely sure on the feedback wiring either and docs are generally a bit vague.
    From all the reading of various manuals etc,
    Does this wiring diagram below look about right?.
    Hopefully planet cnc comes back with response.

    I've used lpt input based port, inputs 9 to 12.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1295

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    I would use our new OptoIsoCtrl3/4 PNP board. It is designed exactly for this.

    It is a new product which will be available in shop in few days.
    It is designed for Mk3/4 controller but it also works with Mk3. Mk3 version will have 10pin connector, this one has screw type.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2021
    Posts
    9

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    connecting the driver outputs was simply connecting the + pins to the board and the GND. already I don't need a rotary encoder

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    1516
    Quote Originally Posted by PlanetCNC View Post
    I would use our new OptoIsoCtrl3/4 PNP board. It is designed exactly for this.
    It is a new product which will be available in shop in few days.
    It is designed for Mk3/4 controller but it also works with Mk3. Mk3 version will have 10pin connector, this one has screw type.

    That is just for limit switches and the like. Is nowhere near fast enough for use in the encoder erea of a drive.

    This design isn't new, it's standard, you can get very similar 4 channel ones at 1/3 the price.

    Try again.
    Need a HIGH SPEED line driver type option for:
    OA,OA-
    OB,OB-
    OZ,OZ-
    OCZ,GND
    Encoder feedback / indexing.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1295

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    I meant this:
    https://planet-cnc.com/wp-content/up...toCtrl34_2.pdf

    See diagram for PNP version of adapter -> Encoder with Line driver output connection

    https://planet-cnc.com/product/optoctrl-3-4-board/

    I believe this should be suitable for your application.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    1295

    Re: servo as a milling spindle and synchronize

    OptoIsoCtrl3/4 PNP board.can handle 10MBd. I'm sure this is fast enough :-)

Similar Threads

  1. Is this servo a good substitute for a milling machine spindle motor?
    By j3dprints in forum Servo Motors / Drives
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-04-2017, 02:20 PM
  2. Using DMM Servo to power lathe or milling spindle
    By Markphd in forum Dmm Technology
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-15-2015, 04:56 PM
  3. synchronize a stepper with lathe spindle?
    By jbrookes in forum Stepper Motors / Drives
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-02-2012, 03:02 PM
  4. help: synchronize a motor to a lathe spindle?
    By jbrookes in forum CNC Machine Related Electronics
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-02-2012, 02:55 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •