Fanuc servo drive integration

I don't think an ethernet card would be my first choice. I think I would look at a PCI 50-pin card like the 5i23.

There is a firmware definition that defines all 6:
github.com/LinuxCNC/hostmot2-firmware/bl...c/PIN_TPEN6_6_72.vhd
and github.com/LinuxCNC/hostmot2-firmware/bl...c/PIN_TPEN4_5_48.vhd
And it looks like it gets built for some cards:
github.com/LinuxCNC/hostmot2-firmware/blob/master/firmwares.txt
Note that this is the code that makes the linuxcnc-firmwares package, and it doesn't cover some of the newer cards, but does include some firmwares that Mesa don't distribute.

It looks like you could get a 5i23 and get a 6-channel firmware easily.
But the 5i23 isn't the cheapest card, and the 5i24 is just as capable.

Though, that is only part of the puzzle. What feedback do you get from the motors for commutation?

Thanks Andy.
I was under the impression that the Ethernet cards is the way forward? And I quite like it, because I can now have my computer in operators panel, away from switchgear enclosure.
If you recommend 5i23, won't the 7i80hd, and 7i90hd do the job just as well? If any specific reasons, I understand, but I don't have a pc with a pci slot at the moment. I'll have to source one. ..

Hi Diederik

Is it your intention to use the existing Fanuc servo drives? The servo drives pass the phase info from the servos through to the controller, along with other information.

See gr0kr's post from 2012: forum.linuxcnc.org/30-cnc-machines/20837...ation?start=30#23687

There is more involved than just the phase info.

Thanks.
I would like to use the fanuc digital drives.
But what would your honest opinion be? Should I rather just replace the servo drives with analog drives?
seems like this pwm drives can cause headaches... ?

The Fanuc drives are first rate, as are the servos. The magnetics cabinet is already fitted with a power supply and line filters.

It is the motion control that has become obsolete, and there is also export control restricting the availability of full 5-axis functionality.

You can get quite nice prices for matched servos and drives from CTB in China via Alibaba, but there is a significant amount of work in replacing the old drives and integrating the new.

An interface that talks directly to the existing Fanuc amplifiers and I/O controllers would be the way to go, if it existed.

_jC wrote: An interface that talks directly to the existing Fanuc amplifiers and I/O controllers would be the way to go, if it existed.

I think that all the required parts of the chain exist.
The "bldc" HAL component can interpret the motor commutation information and calculate the 6 PWM amplitudes.
The Hostmot2 3-phase PWM can create the signals and ensure the required dead-time to avoid shoot-through.

I am not saying that it isn't a project, but it should be possible.

Both my machines run all their servos with commutation happening in HAL. It's definitely a workable system.