Help choosing a good card setup

More
29 Sep 2019 02:37 - 29 Sep 2019 02:40 #146531 by jonch919
Hi all,
I'm converting an 80s Meccanica Cortini L300 benchtop mill with automatic tool changer.
All except the spindle motor driver will be replaced.
I've started with a 7i92 and mx3660 already. But not sure where to go from there since a need a bunch of additional I/O's.
I started wiring it together with a cheap mach3 interface board plus a relay board. But I'm not sure that's the right path to go.
Seems I'll be one parallell port short as it is now as well.
I will also want to add a jog pendant and a simple control panel further on.

What is needed:
4 axis/steppers. XYZ plus A for tool change carousel
3 home opto switches
Estop
0-10 V spindle control

The auto tool changer also has:
3 opto switches
13 switches
6 24V solenoid air valves

And further on I'll add;
Jog pendant
Panel with some buttons and switches.
Air blast
Coolant

Plus a few things I've probably missed.
Last edit: 29 Sep 2019 02:40 by jonch919.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2019 07:36 #146537 by tommylight
Sounds like a job for Mesa 7i76, since you already have the 7i92.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2019 17:26 #146603 by jonch919
Thanks Tommy,

Just to clarify. The MX3660 stepper driver will be driving all the steppers, limit switches, Estop, spindle control. Perhaps a few things more...

So what I need extra something to connect all the switches from the auto tool changer, incl driveing the 24v solenoid air valves.
Plus jog pendant and control panel inputs.
I'm new to this so not sure what these cards are capable of.

At first look I seemed the 7i76 is a bit of overkill and also redundant with the mx3660?
Can the 7i76 also drive the solenoid air valves directly, or do I still connect it via the relay board?
Can I also connect a jog pendant and control panel inputs to the 7i76?

I might have the possibility to return the 7i92 and get another main card instead. Would it be a good choice to select another card?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2019 17:29 #146604 by tommylight
Oh, in that case maybe a better solution would be a 7i74 and a 7i84, you can add 8 of them to one 7i74.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2019 19:00 #146614 by jonch919
Thanks, that does seem to be what I'm looking for. Too bad I will have to buy several cards though.
If I understand correctly this board can drive my 24v solenoids directly, given 300mA (about 7w) capability, making my relay board obsolete?
Plenty of inputs for all switches.

How does it work with the jog pendant and control panel? (Buttons, switches, potentiometers for feed etc)
Can the 7i74 do that, or do I need a 7i73 for instance as well?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2019 19:44 #146619 by tommylight
In case of 7i92-7i74-7i84 yes you would need a 7i73.
The nice thing is 7i73 does LCD screens also, so you can make a nice MPG.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2019 21:57 #146631 by jonch919
Thanks for clarifying Tommy.

Just realized I said I got the Leadshine mx3660. It's the mx 4660 I've got. Sorry for the confusion!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2019 22:33 #146634 by tommylight
No problem, i do not know what any of those do as i never used them.
I tend to avoid those all in one things.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
03 Oct 2019 01:02 #146932 by andypugh
Just to throw an alternative in to the pot... You could cut one end off of a parallel port cable and individually wire the MX4660 inputs to a 7i76 step/dir and IO pins.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
07 Oct 2019 20:51 #147366 by jonch919
Aah that would have been a neat solution. Too bad I already have bought the two cards.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: PCWjmelson
Time to create page: 0.151 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum