Mesa Configuration Tool 7i96S Spindle

Hi BigJohnT!

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong thread. It felt suitable since it was the only thread I could find pertaining to the 7i96s board.

Despite beeing a noob on Linux, I succeeded installing the Buster 2.8.2 Iso and then updating it to LinuxCNC 2.9.0~pre0.6523.gf77537cd4 amd64 as well as MesaCT and Mesaflash.

I have a Mesa 7i96s, I have successfully flashed the 7i96sd firmware onto the board. My configuration is working as far as I can home and jog all three axis successfully. However when it comes to the spindle I am lost at sea. I have selected "Analog" with the intention of driving my VFD with a 0-5V signal. PID set to default, max-rpm = 24000, min = 1000, PWM = 5000Hz. I have connected SPN- to GND and SPN+ to 5V. Manually setting different speeds with sXXXXX m3 in the MDI interface. I see no action on the analog output (voltage measurement between SPN- and SPN-Out). The GUI identifies the spindle as on.

BigJohnT or anyone else able to shed any light on this? Like I said, noob at all things linux, plenty of CNC experience. Please let me know what information you need to help!

Posting the created hal and ini files would help

Files attached (note the conf for axis 0 & 1 are not yet done). Just reused axis 3 and swapped wiring for proof of concept.

The hal file seems to be missing both the PWM setup
(setting mode, frequency and scaling) and PWM pin
connections (PWM enable and PWM value)

That sounds like a problem. Not that I have a clue how to fix it.

I made the relevant selections on the spindle tab. If they are not in the files, does this point to a problem with the configuration tool? I did on one occassion notice the values on that tab had reverted to defaul by themselves.

Can anyone fill in the blanks for me how to fix this?

Thanks!

Yes, it's a configuration program issue.

spindle setup values are set in the ini file
but these values are unused in the hal file

Alright,

I realize this is a tool, developed by enthusiasts on their own unpaid time, as such, all I can do is to raise my hand and plead for help.

I assume BigJohnT is the mastermind behind this tool, can you offer some assistance?

If not, does anyone know what lines to add manually?

For my purposes, running the spindle on PWM on one of the Step-gens would be more than acceptable. I have not found a firmware that allows for this though, and the Mesa manual states (in bold letters) "Do not use 7i96 firmware for the 7i96s".
 

Unfortunately there's a fair amount of "boilerplate" missing
(the Spindle PID setup for example)

To set up really basic operation (ignoring the ini file values and the PID), at the minimum,
you need to setup and connect PWMGen 00:

setp hm2_7i96s.0.pwmgen.00.scale 24000
setp hm2_7i96s.0.pwmgen.00.pwm_frequency 5000
setp hm2_7i96s.0.pwmgen.00.output_type 1

net spindle-vel-cmd-rpm-abs hm2_7i96s.0.pwmgen.00.value
net spindle-on spindle.0.on
net spindle-on hm2_7i96s.0.pwmgen.00.enable

You probably also need to connect the signal "spindle-on"
to a 7I96S isolated output:

net spindle-on hm2_7i96s.0.outm.00.out-04