Pressbrake CNC Control Setup Questions

andypugh wrote:Is R just up/down, or variable?

Variable, servo control

Which encoder do you have? One with distance coding or single index in mid-travel?
Is it an index pulse, or high for half the scale and low for the other half?

Missed that detail, My encoder is the LS 629 Selectable every 50 mm by magnet, Standard setting: 1 reference mark at midpoint.
It looks like the magnet is located close to the top of the ram stroke. Earlier I had checked it with halscope and it seemed to be an index pulse.

It's up to you. How about drawing a mockup of what you think that the UI should look like?

I'll see if I can come up with some ideas. What you have looks like a good start. Keep it a fairly basic gui.
Maybe have the start/stop, main control buttons at the top. Group the ram settings together, somewhat separate from the backstop settings. Thought I might try to have it touchscreen if possible. I have a 3M Microtouch monitor on it now, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it to work.

tommylight wrote:

Yes i am, and i have seen that pic before (i think).
So i still insist it never happened!

I don't think so. But is this better for proof photos.app.goo.gl/gws6Cd18iB1zs8zf8

First bending test 5mm plate

andypugh wrote:

OK, and now load / save / saveas / quit work.

(re-uploaded the zip file)

I will stop now, awaiting feedback from someone who has at least used a press brake.

What would be useful? "dublicate bend" button?

"duplicate bending "
In practice, this was useful
Thanks Andy for this job

OK, made some progress today, I got the press brake bending ram working with the controller!
Now for setting up the back gauge and doing some experimenting to see what all else it needs yet.
One thing I thought of is:
It has a pressure transducer that gives the bending pressure.
I would like to be able to set an adjustable MAX pressure, so that the bending pressure can be limited by what tonnage rating tooling is in the press brake at the time. Should this be done in HAL or be part of the press.comp?

How do I get the ram press position set to 0 at the right location?
The encoder's index is about 40mm (1.57 in. on our side of the pond) down from the top of the ram travel.
The encoder's count and position pins both line up 0 with the index. (attached index halscope)
Should I put a HAL offset betweenDo I somehow need to home the ram at startup?

Also the encoder reading shows about .024 in. negative from commanded position and when at rest.
Does that indicate that I am off on the PID tuning?

Another thing we need to add yet is a jog mode to the down control for setting the dies. (Attached manuel page)
If anyone else has any input or suggestions on what options we might need yet, let us know. It's been years since I worked with a CNC pressbrake.
Thanks,
Earl W.