Hey gang, noob here. I got my Elite G2 Foreman set up and running with the Redline spindle and HMI kit. Two challenges I am running into:
I can manually initiate the spindle on the knob of the VFD controller and that works fine. I have enabled the Spindle inside of the Redline software and can see the actual RPMs when I engage it manually but I can’t initiate the Spindle using the HMI software itself, it just doesn’t start the Spindle? Not sure what to check even after going through the Redline trouble shooting manual.
I am able to successfully load a design and the machine reads the file fine. After homing and trying to start the program it goes to line 14 and stops. The only motion I get on the machine is it raising the z axis a little bit then stops and doesn’t go any further.
I assume these two issues are connected because the line it stops on seems to be what should initiate the Spindle to run at 19000rpms?
The controller is waiting for feedback from your spindle that it is up to the requested RPM from the gcode. It’s waiting to move to the next line until it recieves information from the vfd it’s up to speed. Something is preventing the controller from getting this information from your vfd.
Thanks for the insight, I have checked all of those points and everything looks good. I have also reprogrammed the VFD using Redlines manual + YouTube video. Everything is connected and powered, as I said initially I can manually initiate the Spindle using the knob no problem. I have restarted, rebooted and re-programmed everything that I can find documentation on.
Well…after re-programming the Redline VFD, starting the program again and then manually getting the Spindle speed up to 19,200 the program proceeded to move forward and run the job. Seems I just need to figure out why the HMI is not initiating the Spindle automatically.
As a “don’t yet have a CnC” user I cannot help solve this issue , however, the screenshot provided some good-to-know info I was unaware of in regard to Fusion:
I am not sure about the T command you’re referring to but the machine was erroring out with the M6 command included in the gcode, using my “assistant” Grok testing different files after I removed that M6 line and everything worked (minus the spindle not auto starting). I am new at this of course so I don’t fully understand the code yet but it appears that M6 line was for a “manual tool change”? Since this was a basic 2d contour cut I tried it without that line and it seemed to work.
The M6 command is a call for tool change, usually accompanied by a tool # to switch to. In the tool library under Post processor you can check the manual tool change box and the M6/T# won’t be output in the g code. You can also uncheck Output M6 when you post your file to exclude the M6.
Some post processors add a pause when no T#/M6 is selected - not sure how the Realtimecnc handles this, but would assume it would show some kind of manual tool change prompt.
Thank you @OnefinityCNC for the help. I have confirmed the side button is OUT but now I just get flashing 0.0’s and the STOP/REST nor RUN buttons engage the Spindle and let me control it from the Masso. (video attached)
Thank you @OnefinityCNC for all of the assistance and clarification. I did a quick test and everything seems to work when I run a file. I thought I was able to to control the spindle from the HMI screen without a file loaded which I can’t currently but the file will run and control the Spindle now.
@OnefinityCNC Currently that is not working, when I adjust the digital dial on the screen the spindle does not engage. I assume I have some setting wrong.
, however, the screenshot provided some good-to-know info I was unaware of in regard to Fusion: