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Spindle doesn't spin

10K views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  TimPa 
#1 ·
I just setup my CNC 6040 1.5kw 3 axis water cooled router with a USB connector. I just installed Mach3mill software. My router bit spins when I use the manual operation. When I try to use a "wizard" in the software, the spindle does not spin. The z axis lowers to the face or zero position and tries to perform the function while NOT spinning. Just to be clear, I had to ask the China company twice to send me the setup video as the machine arrived with no documentation and the first video was in Chinese. The second video was a bit easier to understand but as far as setting up the "Motor outputs, inputs, outputs, spindle set up, etc", in the video they sent was covered with a fuzzy white type of the url and other info to the company. Ugh! I do have screenshots of my current setup for these items if needed.

I have watched sooo many you tube videos and searched everywhere I can think of to get info but at this point cannot find any. p

Newbie feeling very inadequate. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Alison
 
#2 ·
First, take a deep breath. These are actually pretty simple machines and there are only a few things that can go wrong.

Next, give us some details to help figure it out. Tell us what you have tried so far, machine details, photos, etc. Tell us how you think it is supposed to work (0-10V? PWM? On/Off) How is your spindle wired up?

In general, take a systematic approach. Can you control the spindle independently of the CNC controller? Check the wiring for errors/loose connections/etc. Is everything getting power? Check twice. Then tell us what and how you checked.

As an aside, when buying a Chinese CNC machine, you should expect to be doing this kind of debugging, they are generally pretty short on customer support.
 
#3 ·
Welcome to the forum, Alison!

In addition to what Phil said, how are you generating your G-code? Is the command to turn the spindle on in your G-code file (M3, I believe)? You said it runs manually so the wiring and connections must be good so I would look at what is suppose to turn it on and that's likely the G-code unless I'm missing something. I turn mine on manually so this is about the extent of my knowledge. :wink:

David
 
#6 ·
I can move the x y and z axis using the keyboard up and down keys. I can lift the z using the page up and down. As far as the gcode... I am actually using a wizard in the mach3mill software. Just trying to make a .25 inch deep x 2" round pocket. The software is working fine, the diagram of the pocket is showing fine in the software window. (photo below). When I start the run, the spindle moves to the correct position, lowers to the zero, starts the rotation (tries to make the circular motion) but the spindle is not spinning.

Thank you all for your help.
 

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#8 ·
The line that says M04 S0 is telling the spindle to run CCW at 0 rpm. In your wizard if you input 10,000 for spindle rpm does that line then say M04 S10000? As for the rotation, M03 or M04, I don't know how your system is wired but I would think you want CW or M03 rotation.

David
 
#10 ·
I wonder if there's something missing in cabling or setup by which the spindle isn't receiving these commands...?

In the MDI window enter the same command and hit Start - just the M03 S10000 - oh, and M05 will stop it if it does indeed run.

David
 
#18 ·
I have the same machine as you (6040 with USB) and likely the same VFD, and I run Mach3. But like David I always turn on the spindle manually. So I just checked to see if I could turn on the spindle with G-code - and I can't. So I'm not going to be of any help to you but I suspect the solution is somewhere in the setup of the VFD.
 
#23 ·
Hi David, you are not giving us much to go on. can you spin it in manual mode? does the vfd have any lights on, signs of life? error messages? does the gantry move, x, y, and z? you may check the cabling to/from the spindle, and to/from the controller to the main computer, basically try reseating things that should be connected. obviously you want to do this with power off.

was there an event that occurred just before the spindle quit working? a unit like that would likely have some factory technical support, you may consider contacting them if you haven't already...
 
#21 ·
G'day David, welcome to the forum.
 
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