[cjskelton]

I've just added a rotary axis to my Probotix Meteor. It seems to be working OK, it jogs both directions just fine. I have a spindle installed on this system which allows me to use the Router power outlet on the controller to turn the dust collector on and off automatically during a cut. Watch what happens when everything is turned off and I turn the rotary axis by hand....

 

[ger21]

When you turn the shaft of a stepper motor, it acts like a generator and sends voltage back into the controller.
You could cause damage by doing that.

 

[4DThinker]

There is a relay internally that uses low voltage to switch on/off the router or in your case vacuum plugged into the router jack. Spinning the stepper sends low voltage back to the controller and even with the controller power OFF one of the power cables must go directly through the relay to the router port to cause the dust collector to switch on momentarily.

 

[Pro4824]

Ger21 ??? Really???? Cnczone's ger21??? Wow!!! It's kinda like an NBA player showing up to play in a college game! Glad to see you here.
(2012JK) on Cnczone. 🙂

 

[difalkner]

Interesting, Jay. Do you have a main disconnect that you can open to keep this from happening? Or just don't turn the rotary drive when it's powered down.

Oh, if you do another video do it widescreen please so it shows more and fits our screens. Thanks!

David

 

[cjskelton]

Ger, 4D and David,
I initially was turning the chuck to make sure my stock was centered in the jaws and at that time heard the dust collector momentarily turn on. I could hear a relay clicking in the controller as I turned the axis. I completely removed power from the system and when I turned the axis I saw LEDs on the back of the controller light up and the cooling fan spin. Obviously, the stepper motor is inducing a current in the controller causing odd behavior. Isn't electricity fun? I'll be careful not to turn it any more than I have to when it's off.

Jay

 

[beltramidave]

Ger, 4D and David,
I initially was turning the chuck to make sure my stock was centered in the jaws and at that time heard the dust collector momentarily turn on. I could hear a relay clicking in the controller as I turned the axis. I completely removed power from the system and when I turned the axis I saw LEDs on the back of the controller light up and the cooling fan spin. Obviously, the stepper motor is inducing a current in the controller causing odd behavior. Isn't electricity fun? I'll be careful not to turn it any more than I have to when it's off.

Jay

That should not being happening regardless. I've turned my Z axis by hand or moved the gantry by hand and never had that issue. Why would the rotary be any different?

 

[4DThinker]

That should not being happening regardless. I've turned my Z axis by hand or moved the gantry by hand and never had that issue. Why would the rotary be any different?

The rotary axis chuck is belt driven, stepped down for more torque. A spin of the chuck spins the rotary stepper far more than a direct spin of any other stepper would. It doesn't surprise me that this action would feedback to the controller more current than spinning the Z axis stepper by hand.

4D

 

[beltramidave]

The rotary axis chuck is belt driven, stepped down for more torque. A spin of the chuck spins the rotary stepper far more than a direct spin of any other stepper would. It doesn't surprise me that this action would feedback to the controller more current than spinning the Z axis stepper by hand.

4D

Still makes no sense to me. The stepper motor is connected to the stepper driver, not the relay that controls the vac, so wouldn't any energy be absorbed in the driver circuit? Can anyone else who has a Probotix machine AND a rotary confirm that this happens with their controller?

 

[TimPa]

my wag is that some circuitry exists on the controller that when the rotary axis begins to rotate, it automatically turns on the router power outlet - where you have the dust collector plugged in. I recommend finding another auxiliary output you can use for you dust collector control.

then again, I may be all wet!