Connecting a spindle/VFD
This VFD type uses one signal to turn on the rotation of the spindle and one to control the direction when turning the spindle on. the has a dedicated output for tool-on but no dedicated tool direction output, If direction control of the spindle is required, the Aux 1 output needs to be used.
In the manual for the VFD, find the connections for Tool on and Direction, in most cases, there is a connection overview diagram. The outputs on the feature relay outputs, these can be connected instead of the switches.
Navigate to Setup -> Toolhead -> Toolhead and ensure that On/off output for the main toolhead is set to TOOL OUT.
When using the tool direction, set Direction output to AUX1 OUT.
Ensure that the PWM output setting is set to PWM1 OUT when using speed control.
The value entered in the Minimum RPM setting is used to correct programming errors where an S value is used that is too low.
The Maximum RPM setting is used to map the programmed RPM to a 0-10V or PWM value, The RPM entered here is the RPM the spindle turns at the full 10V or 100% PWM.
Setting the ramp-up and ramp-down delays will pause the execution when M3, M4, and M5 are called. This allows the spindle to reach its programmed position before executing the next line in the job file.
Ensure that the spindle does not contain a tool and is free to rotate without obstructions.
- Power the machine up and start the software.
- Press reset to enable the machine.
- Go to the IO tab.
- Ensure that both TOOL and TOOL DIR (or substitute outputs) are turned off.
- Set the used PWM output to a value accepted by the VFD (e.g. 50%)
- Click TOOL, the spindle should start turning in a clockwise direction.
- Click TOOL again, the spindle should stop turning.
- Click TOOL DIR (or substitute), nothing should happen aside from possibly a relay clicking.
- Click TOOL, the spindle should start turning in the counter-clockwise direction.
- Increasing the PWM value should increase the RPM of the spindle.
- Click TOOL, the spindle should stop turning.
These tests ensure that the basic connections of the spindle are correct.
- Open the MDI
- Enter M3 Sx where x is the minimum speed, the spindle should start turning in the correct direction at the speed programmed.
- Enter M3 Sx where x is the maximum speed, the spindle should ramp up to the maximum speed.
- When using direction, enter M4 Sx with an arbitrary speed. The spindle should change direction.
- Enter M5, the spindle should come to a standstill.
Here are some common issues and their solutions:
- The spindle turns off then it should turn on or vice versa. Ideally, the VFD is wired in a way that the spindle turns on when the respective output is on. If this is impossible, the output can be inverted in Setup -> Input/output -> Invert IO signal level.
- The spindle turns in the wrong direction. First, double-check that the VFD is wired and programmed correctly. If necessary invert the tool direction output in Setup -> Input/output -> Invert IO signal level.
- The speed control works inverted. For example, the spindle ramps up when the S value goes down. In some cases, the speed control output may need to be inverted. This output can be inverted in Setup -> Input/output -> Invert IO signal level.
- The set S value does not correspond to the actual spindle RPM. First of all, ensure that the minimum and maximum RPM in the setup are set correctly. The spindle speed curve may not be fully linear if these are set correctly. If this is the case PWM compensation may be used to compensate for this non-linearity.
This VFD type connects to the controller using a connection for clockwise rotation (CW) and one for counter-clockwise rotation (CCW). The markings on your EdingCNC controller are named tool on and tool direction in case tool direction is not available, an aux output must be used. The tool on output is used as for the CW signal and the tool dir/aux is used as CCW.
Tool on output | Tool direction output | Spindle behavior |
|---|---|---|
Off | Off | Off |
Off | On | Turning counter-clockwise |
On | Off | Turning clockwise |
On | On | Undefined* |
*Consult the manual of your VFD to see the behavior of the spindle when both inputs are active. This is unintended and undefined behavior and will be avoided by the .
In the manual for the VFD, find the connections for forward and reverse, in most cases, there is a connection overview diagram. The outputs on the use relays and can be wired in place of switches.
Navigate to Setup -> Toolhead -> Toolhead and ensure that On/off output for the main toolhead is set to TOOL OUT.
When using the reverse, set the Direction output to AUX1 OUT.
To set the spindle in forward/reverse mode, turn on Alternative direction control output mode for the spindle.
Ensure that the PWM output setting is set to PWM1 OUT when using speed control.
The value entered in the Minimum RPM setting is used to correct programming errors where an S value is used that is too low.
The Maximum RPM setting is used to map the programmed RPM to a 0-10V or PWM value, The RPM entered here is the RPM the spindle turns at at the full 10V or 100% PWM.
Setting the ramp-up and ramp-down delays will pause the execution when M3, M4, and M5 are called. This allows the spindle to reach its programmed position before executing the next line in the job file.
Ensure that the spindle does not contain a tool and is free to rotate without obstructions.
- Power the machine up and start the software.
- Press reset to enable the machine.
- Go to the IO tab.
- Ensure that both TOOL and TOOL DIR (or substitute output) are turned off.
- Set the used PWM output to a value accepted by the VFD (e.g. 50%).
- Click TOOL, the spindle should start turning in a clockwise direction.
- Increasing the PWM value should increase the RPM of the spindle.
- Click TOOL again, the spindle should stop turning.
- Click TOOL DIR (or substitute), the spindle should start turning in a clockwise direction.
- Click tool dir (or substitute) again, the spindle should stop turning.
These tests ensure that the basic connections of the spindle are correct.
- Open the MDI
- Enter M3 Sx where x is the minimum speed, the spindle should start turning in the correct direction at the speed programmed.
- Enter M3 Sx where x is the maximum speed, the spindle should ramp up to the maximum speed.
- When using direction, enter M4 Sx with an arbitrary speed. The spindle should change direction.
- Enter M5, the spindle should come to a standstill.
Here are some common issues and their solutions:
- The spindle turns off then it should turn on or vice versa. Ideally, the VFD is wired in a way that the spindle turns on when the respective output is on. If this is impossible, the output can be inverted in Setup -> Input/output -> Invert IO signal level.
- The spindle turns in the wrong direction. First, double-check that the VFD is wired and programmed correctly. If necessary either invert the tool and direction output in Setup -> Input/output -> Invert IO signal level or swap the wires for these two connections.
- The speed control works inverted. I.E. the spindle ramps up when the S value goes down. In some cases, the speed control output may need to be inverted. This output can be inverted in Setup -> Input/output -> Invert IO signal level.
- The set S value does not correspond to the actual spindle RPM. First of all, ensure that the minimum and maximum RPM in the setup are set correctly. The spindle speed curve may not be fully linear if these are set correctly. If this is the case PWM compensation may be used to compensate for this non-linearity.