Thread: Another chinese CNC router

Thanks for the responses.
As I can identify the coil pairs (as per Ch4is's link), I'll wire up one motor and test it before doing the others. That way I can avoid resoldering which never works out as well the second time though.

Hybrid Stepping Motor 57BYGHybrid Stepping Motor 57BYGH wholesaler

Wet in the shed so found a job indoors fitting the stepper motor covers and wiring up the Homann G540 DB9 connectors.

Fitted the covers OK, fiddly soldering the 4 pin socket onto short wires of the stepper motors but got it done. I already had the DB9 connectors soldered on so just needed to solder on the 4 pin plugs.
Soldered on one and decided to fit it to the CNC router - the 4 pin plug doesn't fit down the cable chain does it?
I'd checked this before but without the plug assembled, once the locking ring is on, it's about 2mm too big to fit.
I think I'll open a bottle of red instead ...

will the DB9 plug fit down the cable chain?

Just noticed I'm a couple days late

Dropped into the tip shop today and got a computer to put the G540 and power supplies in, there should be room for the VFD as well (unless that's a bad idea - noise?)
I'd like to put this NVR kill switch in as well, it's rated at 8A so should be enough for controller and spindle.
If it's warm enough tomorrow (hah!), I'll give it a coat of bright orange paint.

It will soon be 12 months that I had this thing and it's yet to do anything more than move!

Geoff just tossed my old big tower yesterday scavenged all out of it of course.

After I got back from town. went through some stuff in the shed (nearly sorted out!) and found a midi sized computer case

I'll stick with the bigger case as it does have enough room for a motherboard even with the power supplies, VFD etc and there would be certain advantages to having a single box system. At the moment, I'll have to use the small desktop IBM computer to control it.

I know what I have just done LOL

Is it a good/bad idea to have the G540 and the VFD in the same (metal) case?

The PC case I have is big enough for the VFD to mount at the front for access to the controls and for the G540 to mount on the rear panel along with DB9 connectors for limits switches. The 48V power supply will sit somewhere in the middle of the two.
The VFD output will run to a 4 pin socket on the rear panel (as soon as I source a suitable socket/plug for this).
At this stage, no other components (relays, etc) will be used. If there's room, I may mount the 24V supply from the original CNC controller to run the water pump although getting a better quality, 240V pump makes some sense.

I try to keep the VFD away from all other components. The Hy is in a plastic case so doesn't shield other components from EMI.

You could mount it in the computer case but shield it with a metal box or partition. I would also suggest you put an EMI filter on your AC line in to the Hy. All the precautions you take may still produce a problem. One of my machines was perfect until the spindle was turned off. On the very last rotation of the spindle the Y axis stepper clicked over one step. After trying many things and involving an electric engineer the only cure was to run a separate power line to the Hy. Funny thing was both power leads could go to the same power point on a power board. EMI and in particular the Hy is a strange beast and worth preventing rather than trying to resolve after the event.

Thanks Rod,

The case I have has a separate metal enclosure in it ( for disk drives?) It's just the right size for the VFD hence the question. I'dd also like to have the 24V power supply for the water pump and any future relays required
I do have this case from Homann but I need the CNC router up and running so I can neatly cut out the panels - but first I have to build the controller ...

What I'll do then is build the controller in the PC case - less the VFD. I then have the option to put a motherboard in the same case.

Hi Geoff,

I guess I should offer a service to do the cutouts on the enclosure as it is a bit of a chicken and egg thing as you need a working CNC system to cut out the controller housing.

You could jury rig(wire) the G540 and power supply on a board to cut the enclosure, then mount it in after cutting it out.

Cheers,

Peter.

Peter,
I had thought of doing a quick hack to get it going but:

1. It would end up staying that way permanently
2. 240V is involved

A service to cutout the necessary bits of the front and rear panels would be a great idea. Perhaps included free if a suitable 'kit' is bought? Your new CNC mill can take care of it

I've finally built the new, Gecko G540 based controller.
I used the case from the Chinese controller supplied with my 6040. 48v, 7.3A supply and a emergency stop switch. No relays or connection to the VFD at this stage.
It 'aint pretty but it's colourful.

I've triple checked the wiring and after finding an extension cord that has an RCD built in (none on the house circuit, too cold to go out to the shed), I've given it a quick smoke test - success!

Another pot of coffee, clear the mess on the kitchen table and connect it all up. I can't cut yet (well not in the kitchen) but I should be able to see if things move.