EtherCAT options for spindle encoder

Hi,
I'm having trouble navigating the options for spindle position feedback for a lathe conversion. My existing system uses an encoder connected to a Mesa 7i76.

What are my options? EK1100 + EL5151?

What other solutions have people come up with?

Regards,

Jim.

That is a sensible approach. Some drives have their own inputs for encoders and can pass through that signal via ethercat. May be an option, if the existing drive supports this.

Leadshine now have a similar system of ethercat base unit + multiple modules

R2EC I think it's called

Much cheaper.
There is some discussion about it github.com/linuxcnc-ethercat/linuxcnc-ethercat/issues/434

Thanks, I've had a look at the Leadshine offerings, they don't appear to be available anywhere.

Ultimately I did want a servo to drive the spindle, but I couldn't find one that matched my specifications. (single phase 220v supply, ~3kW, Ethercat, 4krpm+)

I did find the following:

www.oksa.co.uk/product/ecat-2074a-etherc...lute-encoder-master/

Which is a 4 channel BISS/SSI encoder interface for around £545. Which makes it cheaper than the beckhoff interface and encoder module. 10MHz capable counters.

Or a 3 channel ABZ input for around £273. (much cheaper than beckhoff) - but it can only count at 4MHz

www.oksa.co.uk/product/ecat-2093-etherca...tal-encoder-counter/

 

Did you try Leadshine directly? Or ask where the person on github got theirs?

I think R2EC are new so may not have made it to retail channels like Aliexpress yet

I've put a question in with the UK distributor for Leadshine to see if they have any info.