[eat]

\r\n \r\n this is somthing that is needed.
\r\n I was looking for a wile recently
\r\non mine so far I just have the encoders connected to the drives and all that is connected to the grex from the drives is
\r\nthe step and direction wires from each drive to the step and direction axis connections on the G-Rex
\r\n
\r\nI amjust ready to start motor tuning so
\r\nI cant say that I have a running setup yet
\r\nbut I called them and they told me that was all I needed to connect
\r\nthat and the 5 volt from the grex to the common
\r\non the drives to supply the power
\r\n
\r\nI tried to take a picture of what i have so far but my camera decided to die tonight.
\r\n
\r\nalso they recommended a capacitor digi-key part number P10874-nd connected to the connection 1 and 2 on the drives the (power ground) and the (+ 18 to 80)
\r\nif the wires are over 18 inches long from the power supply
\r\nmine is about 24
\r\n
\r\nI hope this was some help\r\n \r\n

[fbmstar]

\r\n \r\n hey lost tourist, I\'m also a long time lurker for the most part and in need of a g-rex g100 wiring diagram. Have you confirmed any part(s) of this diagram?\r\n \r\n

[Lost Tourist]

\r\n \r\n Nothing confirmed yet.\r\n \r\n

[Runner4404spd]

\r\n \r\n just curious but why do you need to parallel up the geck320 encoder wiring with the GREX encoder wiring? wouldn\'t it be sufficient to only wiring the encoder to the GREX? after all the GREX is relaying the step and direction signals now not the G320.\r\n \r\n

[Lost Tourist]

\r\n \r\n Runner4404spd,
\r\n
\r\nTo the best of my lurker knowledge it is a fundamental requirement that the encoders be fed back to the 320\'s as the GREX only sends a step and direction "request" not "instructions", the GREX says move 2 steps CW and then the 320 has to calculate the control signals to actually move the motor based on feedback to the 320. If the 320 didn\'t get any feedback it would never know when it had achieved the position as the GREX can\'t tell it as it only sends requests for movement (in actual fact i think the GREX and 320 talk back on forth but i think the messages are GREX sends new step and direction and the 320 sends back move complete)
\r\n
\r\nThe whole function of the GREX, as i understand things, is that it produces better step and direction signals.
\r\n
\r\nI think sending the encoders the GREX will tighten up the tolerances as currently errors less the 320\'s error tolerance won\'t be noticed as the only error signal the 320\'s provide is in tolerance/ out tolerance.\r\n \r\n

[ger21]

\r\n \r\n Actually, the G320\'s won\'t work without the encoder signals, and the G100 can\'t do anything with them, as far as I know. Or is the G100 encoder postion available to Mach3 through the plugin?\r\n \r\n

[walter]

\r\n \r\n Can anyone confirm that in fact G-Rex encoder inputs are for use with the unstallable stepper controller only?
\r\n
\r\nI’m seeing the posts talking about closed-loop (or real-time closed loop) and they don\'t always mention stepper motors, thus confusing everybody.
\r\n
\r\nExample:
\r\n
\r\n"Look at the GRex. It is immature at present, but offers a host of advantages. In particular, it runs the nasty timing loop portion that we seem to feel is a problem for Windows on an embedded microprocessor. The performance being seen with it is apparently astounding. It comes with encoder inputs for all axes. Slightly longer term Mach will be enabled to work full closed loop with it." \r\n \r\n

[Lost Tourist]

\r\n \r\n Thanks for the comments everyone.
\r\n
\r\nYeah, I also noticed that I hadn\'t paid attention to the transformer when I drew it and have now added the bridge rectifier and capacitor, though I’m not sure of your maths Brian, I don\'t see how a capacitor could increase my voltage by 1.414 as it is only a smoothing capacitor and should raise my "average rectified voltage" As I’m using 65V motors I need to rectify a 2x65V sine wave which will give me 65V peaks when rectified, the capacitor is there just to keep near the peaks longer. Since I’m doing a retro fit I already have a 115V transformer output so I’ll probably use that (unless someone can confirm your maths) and rectify to around 57.5V
\r\n
\r\nThe problem I’m currently trying to understand is the spindle motor is 180V 2.5A. Looking at the circuitry I took off I can\'t see anywhere they supplied that so I’m not sure whether I will try running it at the 57.5V or go for something like a servo amplifier (which I also can\'t find in the old circuitry).
\r\n
\r\nAs for shielding, again since I’m only retrofitting I leave the encoder cables un shielded as they are unless i start encountering problems.
\r\n
\r\nAnd because it\'ll probably pay off one day I will still wire the encoders to the G100 as well.
\r\n
\r\nAnd yes I realise that the input switch is not wired correctly as I’m not sure which why to guess with that, whether it requires pull up resistor or not etc.\r\n \r\n

[holycross]

\r\n \r\n Lost Tourist,
\r\n
\r\nGoto the Gecko website and down load the stepper motor basics pdf file.
\r\nIts an 18 page document on stepper motors, However, pages 11-12 cover sizing transformers for power supplies.
\r\n
\r\n1.414 x AC Voltage (rms) = DC Voltage.
\r\n
\r\nHow are you wiring the encoders to both the G320\'s and the G-rex? If using the same encoder you\'ll probably end up with more problems.
\r\n
\r\nOn the 180 supply for the main spindle servo, the power came from the original servo drive.
\r\n
\r\nMark\r\n \r\n

[Lost Tourist]

\r\n \r\n Mark,
\r\n
\r\nSo clearly is has been far too long since i have done electronics
\r\n
\r\nTo keep things simple i\'ll probably just connect the encoders to the G320\'s
\r\n
\r\nNow i am stuck with problem of running the spindle drive which is 180V, with a G320 rated to 80V. I have searched around looking for a servo amplifier however all i find is more servo controllers. I\'m guessing the solution is more custom circuitry rather than off the shelf stuff.
\r\n
\r\nLost Tourist\r\n \r\n

[holycross]

\r\n \r\n Lost,
\r\n
\r\nSorry, to be late getting back with you. Fighting with broken machine at work.
\r\n
\r\nThink an off the shelf solution is available. First, do you really need the speed that 180 supply? Think that servo motor speed is directly proportional to its voltage. What was the original top speed of the lathe?
\r\n
\r\nThe Gecko 320 should give 44% of that at 80 volts. Since you already have the 320 might as well try it out.
\r\n
\r\nAnother couple of options that use Step & Direction signals.
\r\nRutex drives (the 2020) is spec’d at 200volt. Down side of Rutex being service and support problems. Upside is they are made in Australia.
\r\n
\r\nAlso have a look at Pico-Systems servo gear. Down side is you’d need a PWM controller, power supply and a servo controller card $375 USD, servo max voltage is 160v (89% of top speed) and Jon is a small business. Up side Jon really knows cnc, has EMC worked out for his system and is very knowledgeable on servo designs. Might be worth emailing him for an opinion.
\r\n
\r\nWhat control software do you plan to run the machine?
\r\n
\r\nIf you were in Perth I\'d liked to see the machine.
\r\n
\r\nMark\r\n \r\n

[Lost Tourist]

\r\n \r\n Mark,
\r\n
\r\nLate getting back to me? I thank you for getting back to me at all.
\r\n
\r\nThe top spindle speed as spec\'d on their website is 4,500rpm unfortunately not having paid attention to what actual rpm i\'ve used before i can\'t tell whether this is particularly high or not.
\r\n
\r\nI will probably try the G320 as you suggest simply because i already have it and see what it runs like. If it proves to be a problem i will investigate the other drives.
\r\n
\r\nAs for software i am intending on running it with Mach3 as this seems to be the preferred software around here.
\r\n
\r\nUnfortunately Sydney is a long way from Perth so you\'ll have to be content with some pictures when i am underway.
\r\n
\r\nLost Tourist\r\n \r\n

[holycross]

\r\n \r\n Mark,
\r\n
\r\nLate getting back to me? I thank you for getting back to me at all.
\r\n
\r\nThe top spindle speed as spec\'d on their website is 4,500rpm unfortunately not having paid attention to what actual rpm i\'ve used before i can\'t tell whether this is particularly high or not.
\r\n
\r\nI will probably try the G320 as you suggest simply because i already have it and see what it runs like. If it proves to be a problem i will investigate the other drives.
\r\n
\r\nAs for software i am intending on running it with Mach3 as this seems to be the preferred software around here.
\r\n
\r\nUnfortunately Sydney is a long way from Perth so you\'ll have to be content with some pictures when i am underway.
\r\n
\r\nLost Tourist
\r\n
\r\nLost,
\r\n
\r\nWhen you get time for pic\'s send them to:
\r\n
\r\nmark dot holycross at yahoo dot com
\r\n
\r\nThanks
\r\n
\r\nMark\r\n \r\n

[shah]

\r\n \r\n I am new to this setup, so i will highly appreciate if some will help.
\r\n
\r\nIn Mach3 software, in “Ports and Pins”-' + '->”Input Signals”, I have made configurations as described in the "manual of G100 for Mach3"
\r\n
\r\nX++ 17
\r\nX- - 15
\r\nX Home 17
\r\n
\r\nY++ 17
\r\nY- - 15
\r\nY Home 17
\r\n
\r\nZ++ 17
\r\nZ- - 15
\r\nZ Home 17
\r\n
\r\n
\r\nSo if i have NC switches, shall I connect wire to “LIM” terminal then to NC switch and then to the GND available for each axis block on G100 terminals. I have also defined pin 15 in Mach3 software as X- -, so will I wire the pin 15 to the GND terminal labeled on G100 under “Digital Inputs”.
\r\nI want to use five limit switches on my machine axes, for X axis and Y axis on both sides as . X++, X- -, Y++, Y- - and for Z axis only at Z+ side, I don’t want to use Z- -.\r\n \r\n

[Lost Tourist]

\r\n \r\n Shah,
\r\n
\r\nI\'m probably not the best person to be commenting as i only just got around to connecting the motors the other night.
\r\n
\r\nBut as i recently started understanding things for the limit switches yes you wire them between the LIM terminal for the axis and GND. (Remembering that you can wire both limit switches in series for a single axis if they are NC, in parallel if they are NO)
\r\nI\'m a little confused about the pinouts at the moment, I would have thought your X++ and X-' + '- are wired in series and then wired to Pin 17 and similarly Y++ and Y-' + '- to pin 18, Z++ to pin 19. I don\'t understand where pin 15 is. (but it is late and i\'m not paying enough attention so it may be right in front of me)
\r\n
\r\nI\'m not sure what your home switches are. Normally I think you would use one of the limit switches as your home, but if you are using seperate switches then you\'ll probably need to wire them to a non axis related digital input and code for them in Mach.
\r\n
\r\nOh yeah and i should probably update the circuit drawing to include the ERR/RES as well. I\'ll do it later this week
\r\n
\r\nLost Tourist\r\n \r\n

[Lost Tourist]

\r\n \r\n I\'m close now.
\r\n
\r\nI successfully reloaded the firmware after installing the wrong one first and now Mach happily talks to the GRex and everything that moves moves as it should however i haven\'t figured out how to set up the spindle at the moment (step/dir drive) Anyone got any hints on this?
\r\n
\r\nLost Tourist\r\n \r\n

[CeeltdNew]

\r\n \r\n Hello
\r\nI do not know where to begin.
\r\n
\r\nDo not know at what Stepper motor Voltage to run.
\r\nHow much VA rating ring transformer to use.
\r\nHow many Amp transformer to use.
\r\nHow many transformers, each axis or one large transformer.
\r\nDo i need optocouplers between stepper driver and G-Rex G100
\r\nHow to wire the Home sensors
\r\nSpindle control etc.
\r\nAll with MACH
\r\n
\r\nI would be very grateful to hear from anyone willing to help with a wiring diagram.
\r\n
\r\nI can email all .pdf to components etc
\r\n
\r\nStepper motors: Nema23 1.8
\r\nBIPOLAR ONLY PARALLEL
\r\nCurrent 4.2 A/Phase
\r\nResistance 0.7 +/-10% ohm/Phase
\r\nInductance 3.2 +/-20% mH/Phase
\r\nHolding torque 300 N.cm Min
\r\n
\r\nStepper Driver Card: CW250AC
\r\n
\r\nHome switches: Omron TL-Q5MC1-Z
\r\n
\r\nVariable speed drive: VFD015M
\r\nDelta inverter 220v 1.5kw
\r\n
\r\nMany thanks
\r\nCarl\r\n \r\n

[holycross]

Mark,

Late getting back to me? I thank you for getting back to me at all.

The top spindle speed as spec'd on their website is 4,500rpm unfortunately not having paid attention to what actual rpm i've used before i can't tell whether this is particularly high or not.

I will probably try the G320 as you suggest simply because i already have it and see what it runs like. If it proves to be a problem i will investigate the other drives.

As for software i am intending on running it with Mach3 as this seems to be the preferred software around here.

Unfortunately Sydney is a long way from Perth so you'll have to be content with some pictures when i am underway.

Lost Tourist

Lost,

When you get time for pic's send them to:

mark dot holycross at yahoo dot com

Thanks

Mark