AXBB-E and Metronix APD-VS04NL Drives

[paulmacc21]

I have an old router table that was setup to run with Mach3 and an analog torque controller. Really don’t like Mach3 and am trying to get it working with a AXBB-E. Servo drives are Metronix APD-VS04NL and can be set to run with Step/Direction mode, which I have done. I worked out how to setup the drive then was lucky enough to find this youtube video, confirming the settings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hQXoVlkhRQ&t=311s

Had to use caption translate, but was good enough. He’s using Mach3 and an unknown controller, but using 5v logic for step/dir . I can get the drive to come out of Alarm state to the run screen “00000” and the motor to energize and lock, but not move. With frequency set at 200kHz (UNCNC) and motor speed set at 1500rpm, when I go to move the axis I get a steady 450Hz across 0v and output O9(Dir+) on the AXBB-E when NOT connected to the servo drive. If I connect the wire to the drive, but powered off, the frequency across 0v and output O9 becomes random between 80-100 Hz and powered on, it jumps thru 300-500Hz . I get not motor movement or indication on the servo drive LED that it’s receiving any step/dir signals.
So, either my youtuber has done something different/extra that I’m not aware of, or more likely I done something wrong! I have built a couple of cnc plasma tables successfully using a Masso G3 and Proma MyPlasm controllers, but this is the first time using a AXBB-E controller. That said I am FAR better at farming than I am at electronics!

Here’s my wiring;
Servo ------------------- AXBB-E
9 Step + --------------- O9 Step +
11 Dir - ---------------- O10 Dir –
10, 12 (Step-, Dir-) -- 0v(5v)
Pin 50 +24v in -------- +24v
Pin 19 CWLimit ------- 0v(24v)
Pin 20 CCWLimit ----- 0v(24v)
Pin 47 SVon ----------- 0v(24v)
Pin 18 Estop ---------- 0v(24v)

I've included some pics from the servo manual showing wiring for Position control, but they only show CW CCW logic, but there is a pic showing how to set it to step/dir, which I have done. They do mention resistors in the 3rd image, but my youtuber didn't mention them and I don't have the right size handy yet. I'm hoping I've made an obvious mistake that someone will see. I've tried swapping + & - around on the outputs and wiring -- to drive and ++ to drive, but get same result. I have left a comment on the youtubers video, but no response yet.

Generic Wiring for Position Control Using CW CWW logic

Change Logic to Step/Dir

Only example of 5v logic

[paulmacc21]

I get a steady 450Hz across 0v and output O9(Dir+) on the AXBB-E when NOT connected to the servo drive

Was an error, should read "and output O9(Step+)"

[paulmacc21]

Whoops,there is another example of 5v logic in the manual and I've included the other options that are shown

[paulmacc21]

Still haven't been able to get things moving yet. If someone can see what I'm doing wrong I would appreciate the help. In the meantime I thought I would post all the Servo drive settings I changed to get that setup for Position control in case it can help someone else. My drive was running in Torque Mode originally, so in the drive menu you need to change;

PE-601 --> "2" this puts it into Position Mode
PE-320 --> "0" manual says to turn Zero Speed Torque Improvement OFF in Position Mode
PE-701 --> "2" or "5" Pulse/Direction mode. N Logic or P Logic
PE-609 --> "0" Acceleration time. Set to 0 so UCCNC can control it
PE-610 -->"0" Deceleration time. Set to 0 so UCCNC can control it
PE-702 --> "5000" Electronic gear N0. Set to 5000 until I can get it to move a calibrate it.
PE-703 --> "500" Electronic gear D0. Set to 5000 until I can get it to move a calibrate it.

Cheers

[paulmacc21]

Hoping someone or CNCdrive support can tell me what I'm doing wrong. Thanks

[paulmacc21]

Ok, I've have to admit defeat. As much as I've tried I cannot get these drives working with the AXBB-E! I've followed the youtube video I linked to and did the same as he. Read thru the APD-VS manual back to front seeing if there is anything else he may not have mentioned, but found nothing. I've tried it directly connected and with 100 Ohm or 150 Ohm resisters on the Step+ and Dir+ inputs on the drives, but nothing will make them move. I can get the drives to come out of alarm and the motors to lock, but not move. I've attached DMM DYN2 drives and motors to the AXBB-E to make sure that it is actually working and they move fine. The APD-VS drives and motors were all working fine when set to Torque control and running under Mach4, except that Mach4 was causing problems and I don't like Mach3/4 and really wanted to use the AXBB-E with UCCNC.

My only choice now it to gut the drives and motors out and replace them with the DMM DYN2 drive and motors, but I really didn't want to have to do that as it SHOULD work!! Frustrating!! Only thing I can think could be causing the problem is the drives and made to work at 24v for the Step/pulse signals, though the manual clearly says you can use 5v and even 12v with the right resisters in the +v side of the pulses. I have Steps+ and Dir+ wired to 5v OUT on the AXBB-E with 100/150 ohm (tried both) resisters on each going into the drive, the O9(step-) and O10(Dir-) going to the inputs on the APD-VS. Would have been nice if it worked.

I was going to attach the APD-VS manual in case anyone with a better understanding of these things than me ( with is probably most of you!) gets the urge to have a read and see if they can find my mistake, but it too large so here's a link instead.
https://www.scribd.com/document/403979168/APD-VS-pdf

Anyway, hope everyone has a very Happy and safe Christmas!

[RsX]

It is not working because you are pulsing the optocouplers with 19-24V, so they are never turning off.
You should use the isolated outputs

The manual is not very clear but I think you can also use the non isolated outputs this way.
Not sure if the Resistor is needed because with differential signal is not used, but with open-collector signal it is.

I would use a multimeter first and check the current using a 560ohm resistor and see if it is needed. Then connect the AXBB-E.
Keep in mind the non-isolated outputs can push/pull 20mA and you don't need more than that to drive an optocoupler.

[paulmacc21]

Thanks for the reply RsX. I just tried it using O1(step) to PF- and O2(dir) to PR- on port 1 and +24v to pin 49 on drive (Pulse COM), (nothing connected to PF+ & PR+ on servo Drive?), but still no movement.

So if I use the non-isolated ports to drive PF+ and PR+ , I connect PF- and PR- to 0v on AXBB? And not sure where/how you want me to check current as I am not so good with the electronics side of things, but thank you very much for replying.

[Battwell]

first. turn kernel speed down to 200khz. uccnc outputs are single ended .

ensure in your servos limit switches, servo on and emergency are all wired correctly ( or fooled to be on)

[RsX]

I just tried it using O1(step) to PF- and O2(dir) to PR- on port 1 and +24v to pin 49 on drive (Pulse COM), (nothing connected to PF+ & PR+ on servo Drive?), but still no movement.

That is correct, assuming that you also set the new pins in the axis configuration.

Connect the multimeter like this. Put it into mA mode and use the appropriate input for mA.
Check both inputs. You should see a current of a few mAmps. You should also be able to step the motor just pulsing with the multimeter probe.