Spindles on a router

[johnsattuk]

I have a Router with AXBB and 4th axis.
I would like to m/c some spindles using the A axis and the X,Z axis to cut the shape,The problem is that I want to run the A axis continuously in a program and have not found a way to do this, the program is always waiting for the A axis to complete its move. I could solve this by providing an external source of pulses to the driver but would much prefer to be able to do this in the software as this would be a more secure and convenient solution.
Has anyone solved this in anyway

John

[ger21]

I'd also like to see this, as I'm building a machine that will have a rotary axis.

What might be the easiest workaround would be to configure the A axis as the spindle, and operate the spindle manually?

[johnsattuk]

Do you mean the m/c spindle, I would be waanting to use this to cut the profile in the rotating workpiece

[johnsattuk]

Being able to configure as a second (aux) spindle would be great, use the second analogue to control the speed

[cncdrive]

The AXBB-E has only one analog output so it is not possible to use a second analog output, because there isn't one.
The UC300ETH-5LPT has 2 analog outputs, so with that you could set the 2nd analog output in g-code with attaching the analog output to a #variable and then give value to the variable in the g/code file to vary the spindle speed.

[johnsattuk]

Just a bit of wishful thinking

My 4th axis is a servo, so just need to be able to drive in continuous mode within a program

[ger21]

When using a 4th axis as a spindle, for most people, the second spindle can be step/dir, since their 4th axis is already using step/dir.

[A_Camera]

Just a bit of wishful thinking

My 4th axis is a servo, so just need to be able to drive in continuous mode within a program

Old thread, but I answer anyway. Have you seen this:

http://www.forum.cncdrive.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3242&p=23919#p23919

I have built a "poor man's lathe" using a rotational axis. Initially using the stepper it came with, later updated to a 180W servo, and a few months ago with a 600W AC servo. It works well, and is controlled with the step/dir signals, runs from 1 RPM upwards to maximum in both directions. Configure it as spindle and you can run it continuously without problems. When I want to use it as a rotary axis, for threading or engraving for example, I just disable the spindle and enable the rotary axis.

[ger21]

Old thread, but I answer anyway. Have you seen this:

Yeah, but what we really want is two simultaneous spindles.

[A_Camera]

Old thread, but I answer anyway. Have you seen this:

Yeah, but what we really want is two simultaneous spindles.

I think that if two servo motors would be used then that would demand too much from the hardware. But two spindles with some programming is in fact possible, if one is controlled with Modbus and the other with 0-10V or pulses. What's needed in that case is that M3/M4 starts the one and for the Modbus controlled one, a different macro, like M3000/M4000. That should be possible to do, but I haven't tried it since I don't have the need, so perhaps it is not possible to do at all.