Originally Posted by
chrisplashek
Peter,
Here is the PDF at Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...7999/47158.pdf
I have limited abilities with advanced wiring. Could I bypass everthing past the 12vdc transformer/on-off knob and route it to your board?
This mill also has no RPM sensor what would I need for one?
Would I be able to control this with a standard DB-9 serial port or would I have to control it by a second DB-25?
Sorry for all the questions, this is uncharted teritory for me. I can see everthing is there on the DigiSpeed-XL , just implementing it into the existing controls will be a very big task.
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Apologies for the delay in repling.
Firstly, the RPM sensor. I've had good success with the omron EE-SY672 sensor. It is a reflective one. On my Taig mill, I point it at the aluminium spindle pulley and have segments drawn on it with a black permanent marker pen. The good thing about this sensor is that it has an inpuilt amplifier with a sensitivity control and a LED indicator to show when it detects the segments.
Mouser has them for about $25.00
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/629/1537.pdf
http://www.mouser.com/search/Product...ey653-EE-SY672
Also they have matching connectors and cables EE-1006
http://www.mouser.com/search/Product...key653-EE-1006
This is as close to plug and play as you can get.
Other sensors can be used with the DigiSpeed-XL though as it has its own index signal conditing circuitry on board so that a more basic sensor can be used. I know that the Sherline Tacho sensor works using the DigiSpeed-XL.
As to using the DigiSpeed-XL to control the Mills spindle I have no boubt that it can be done. The schematic in the PDF file is not clear. Basically it would replace the manial Speed pot connected to P1,P2 and P3 on your controller.
The existing potentiometer has a switch in it. Is it necessary to turn the switch off and then on when turning onm the mill so that it doesn't start unexpectantly?
The DigiSpeed has a "Zero Speed" relay that is active when the speed is zero. You may be able to use it in place of the one in the potentiometer.
Cheers,
Peter.
-------------------------------------------------
Homann Designs - http://www.homanndesigns.com/store