(NEWBIE) How to use an (Fanuc) AC Spindle servo motor for an DIY CNC router

Thanks for that!

Does it mean i can use an new VFD for that Spindle motor?

Do i need to replace the encoder with an newer one to do rigid tapping and use an ATC ?

Thanks in advance!

I have a Fanuc spindle on my older mill (stock Fanuc control, not LinuxCNC). It can orient for tool changes or broaching. I don't think you will be able to orient with a VFD drive.
Mine can tap with a tension-compression holder, but will not rigid tap.

If you want to use a ATC with a VFD spindle you may be able to do like some HAAS machines and use a lock pin to orient the spindle. It turns slowly until the pin drops into a slot.

Sorry if I was misleading. I'm a newbie too.

Thanks, especially to andypugh.
@"If the currently-fitted encoder works then there is probably a way to interface it with LinuxCNC."
Really, could that work ? I ask, because here in this thread on SITE 1 / Last post, the user PCW wrote: "Note that the encoder has no commutation pins". Maybe i do understand it completly wrong, but how can i then connect it to the VFD. For example, VFD Vector drives like YASKAWA A1000 needs an incremental encoder.

There are still some questions i have where i could really need some help.

1. VFD (very important):
The motor needs an of 3phase 200V INPUT, but my suppy in my workshop has 3phase 380-400v. When i look at the parameters of VFDs (vectro drive) there are always 2-3 volt versions:
version 1: INPUT: 380-400v, OUTPUT: 380-400v
version 2: INPUT: 200-240v, OUTPUT: 200-240v
*version 3: 690v...., but thats of course not the right one for me
On some pages there is this kind of info for 380V-400V:
INPUT :3 ~ 380..480V +-10%/-15%, 50/60 Hz +-5%
OUTPUT: 3 ~ 0 - 380..480V
So, when there reads "OUTPUT: 0 - 380..480V", does that mean i can choose the voltage from 0-480V ? Or do i need an step-down transfomer (from 380v-400v to 200v-240v) between my 3phase 380V and the VFD (version 2. 200V-240V input and output) ?

2. Boards, cards, etc. (very important)
Could you tell me which cards, boards, etc. i need to use the VFD with the AC spindle motor and do all those things like rigid tapping and using an ATC ? Of course i tryed to find the information by my own, but im just not sure: Do i just need MESA 7i77 + 5i25 Plug and Go kit and an Motion board?(+ PC and linuxCNC) ? Where do i know which is the right motion board - is it depending on if i use hybrid closed loop steppers or servo motors for my XYZ Axis ?

3. Used industrial servo motor for axis :
When buying used servo motors (for axis) without the original drives, which "new" servo drives can i then use for the servo motors ? I saw many poeple retrofiting there mills and lathe with new drives, but keeping the old servo motors.

4. ATC (not that important, because its something i want to "maybe" use in future - want to have that option open):
I have read that its necessary to always zeroing the Z-axes to use an ATC, is that true ? The questions might be a bit too generally, but thats because i dont understand it very.
4.1 ATC: Is it difficult for an newbie to do the settings to use an ATC ? Is there any tutorial, or some easy way to set it up?

5. Rigid tapping (not that important, but would like to know for future) :
Is it difficult to set it up on LinuxCNC ? Do i need some extra card, board or anything?


Thats all. Hope you can help me out with that.

BR,
Denis

Andypugh, thank you soooo much! Was just on a walk with my dog and thought about it how god damn difficult it is for someone like me. I just thought about it why no company has an "configurator" like that one what PC Hardware shops have, where you can configure your computer. Lets say you choose an AMD processor, and in the next step you have to choose the motherboard, but you can only choose an motherboard which fits to the processor. Dont want to write all down what i was thinking the whole time while walking out my dog, but that would make it much easier for poeple like me.

Again, im really thankful for answering all my questions. Now, i can say i have make an step forward, after many days..

I will not get back to all your answers, because you have answered them just perfectly and i almost understand everything, but i have just 2 more questions about the parts i need from Mesa (have wrote already 3 days ago an mail to them but got no answer):

Question 1: Components
You know already my spindle setup (AC spindle motor with Vector drive VFD + encoder on spindle or motor (depending on ratio, but im pretty sure i will use 1:1 through toothed belt)).
Now lets say i want to use real brushless servo motors with servo drive for my XYZ axis.
For example that ones (german site): www.cncprofi.eu/product_info.php?info=p7...n-fl--130x130mm.html

Is then this setup the right for me:
MESA 6I25 Superport FPGA based PCIE Anything I/O card
MESA 7I77 Analog servo interface plus I/O daughtercard

I have read all the descriptions of both components and it sounds like that would fit (unfortunately, the most stuff i dont really understand), but do i need any other components like cards, boards, etc.? I ask, because the have PLUG AND GO kits (7I77-6I25), which sounds for me like thats all i need.

Question 2:
If the 6i25 is correct, then this card needs to be mounted trough the PCIE slot to my PC motherboard and install an Driver, or am i wrong?

If you or someone could only help me with that, then i think i can tomorrow start to learn Solidworks while drawing my project.

Would be really an big step forward and i could start to close almost 40 windows on google chrome..

BR
Denis