[B-Sure]

Hello

After some passive use of CNC zone forum
i am having a problem which i cannot solve by myself.
A good reason to step in!

I am currently running my Step4 precise 760 router with mach3.
It was quite easy to get the XYZ Axis working with the Step four SF-C2 controller. but here it comes!
I do also have a SFC-160 spindle controller which connects to the
SF-C2 box with a serial connector.
i cannot figure out how to get the spindle working with Mach3
I,ve found a lot of data on the internet about ports and pins, but
not one file shows the actual signal flow of the SF-C2 controller,
or the pin settings, and signals that are used to steer the spindle.
Does anybody know how to configure this setup?

Best regards
Bram

[floros]

Hello,

need help in setting up my step four basic540 working with mach 3.

Need to configure ports pins etc.

thanks in advance

[B-Sure]

Hello Floros

to drive the XYZ axis from your 540 with mach 3
you need to set pins as following.

////////// Step // Dir ///////////

X axis pins 2 and 3
Y axis pins 4 and 5
Z axis pins 8 and 9

Pins 6 and 7 can be configured for relay switching.

Best regards,
Bram

[floros]

Thanks a lot Bram.

I will give it a try tomrrow and let you know if is working


Regards

Floros

[DennisCNC]

I looked at the step-four site....What type of spindle is it? DC or AC vfd controlled, other? put up a picture of the spindle and controller that will help a lot.

[Ali Kat]

Hi,
I've just come across this old thread which deals with the same issue that I have. Hopefully someone will pick up on this and may have an answer or send me in the right direction.
I have recently connected my StepFour Basic 540 to a Mach 3 control computer, having previously ran it on the DOS based StepFour software. I couldn't believe how straight froward it was ! However, the Basic 540 uses a VFD controlled spindle and I would like to connect the VFD to the SFC-2 control box to automate this also. I am assuming that I use the serial socket to connect it but does anyone know what the settings (pins etc) to produce the 0 - 10v signal feed. I am also struggling to find the pin settings for the relay controls from the SFC-2.
Any help or pointers will be much appreciated.
Regards
Ali

[rpbenito]

Hello

After some passive use of CNC zone forum
i am having a problem which i cannot solve by myself.
A good reason to step in!

I am currently running my Step4 precise 760 router with mach3.
It was quite easy to get the XYZ Axis working with the Step four SF-C2 controller. but here it comes!
I do also have a SFC-160 spindle controller which connects to the
SF-C2 box with a serial connector.
i cannot figure out how to get the spindle working with Mach3
I,ve found a lot of data on the internet about ports and pins, but
not one file shows the actual signal flow of the SF-C2 controller,
or the pin settings, and signals that are used to steer the spindle.
Does anybody know how to configure this setup?

Best regards
Bram

Hi Bram!

I know it's been a long time since you posted this but did you make any progress with the machine?

I just bought a Step-four Basic 540 with the SF-C2 controller and the SFC-160 spindle for 200€ and I'm trying to figure out if I can make it fully operational with Mach3.

Thanks!

[xartan]

Hi Bram!

I know it's been a long time since you posted this but did you make any progress with the machine?

I just bought a Step-four Basic 540 with the SF-C2 controller and the SFC-160 spindle for 200€ and I'm trying to figure out if I can make it fully operational with Mach3.

Thanks!

Hola !! Tengo una cnc stepfour y ahí estoy con ella moviendola con mach3. ¿Quieres que comentemos sobre ellas? Gracias ||