Understanding the XController and SuperPid2 operation

1

Hi,

I just finished my putting together xCarve and my SuperPid2 controller.
I use a Dewalt 611 (240v) with my Superpid2 - with control via PWM.

my test went great - cannot wait to get into some serious carving.

however, I need the xcarve to send a stop signal to Superpid2 using the RUN input on Superpid.

my problem is that the router continues to spin at 5k RPM when the PWM is zero or input voltage is 0v (i tried both PWM and 0-10 with resistor divider).

The superpid will no drive the router speed below 5k rpm as most router motors will stall with speeds less than 5K.

SuperPid2 has an signal input called RUN which is used to stop the motor; does XController have a pin out that allows me to use the RUN input on Superpid2.

Garry

2

I’m thinking of using a relay because 0 is run and 5 volts is stop.

3

Hi,
where would you drive the relay from.

I would like to drive it directly from the xcontroller.

4

You could use the “Coolant Enable” (A3) or “Mist Enable” (A4) output to drive a relay or transistor (would have to be careful of current draw if using a relay - you can tap +5v from inside the X-controller if necessary).

5

I know I have to watch the current draw of the coil but I was thinking of still using M3 and M5. I need to work on my higher Y end plates and new X beam first.

7

Hi ,

good idea - will look at using A3 or A4.

the Superpid as a separate run input, in addition to the PWM input.

8

You can wire like a Gecko540. But I don’t like that high logic is on and low logic is off. If you lose power to Xcontroller Router turns on.

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9

You can put a pull-up resistor on the “run” input to have the router off with no power on the X-controller and the manual switch will still work.

It may already have one. Did you try turning power off on the X-controller and still have the router on?

10

I connected Superpid RUN to MIST output from xcontroller - with no job running output was zero volts as expected.
Problem: Superpid RUN starts router with a zero volt signal, will need to invert the signal thru a small break out cct.
break out cct will need to be powered by Superpid because it would be too dangerous to power from xcontroller as input to Superpid RUN would then go low with power loss hence turning on the router…
if power is lost to the Superpid then the router will not operate.
I wonder if Superpid has option to invert the signal, it is after all a microcontroller reading an input signal.
will email Superpid for a response on that one.

11

@Gazza

What program are you using to control the X-carve (Easel, UGCS, PicSender, Chilipepper, etc.).
What version of grbl are you using?

You may not need the inverter circuit.

[Edit 11/28 21:30 USA East coast} There is a potential problem in your test case which I have e-mailed SuperPid about to find out if they handle a particular situation properly.

You can fix this with a pull-up resistor as mentioned above.

12

Hi,

I agree doing the G-Codes in the reverse order to control the motor. But I am concerned about loss of power at the xController - going to zero volts will turn the router motor on as a side effect of losing power.

I will try out the pull up resistor idea on the Superpid side to ensure that loss of power on xcontroller has no effect.

13

Do you think you could run 120v output to IOTrelay then plug router into IOTrelay. Then I could just use standard PWM from xcontroller to turn on IOTrelay. Not sure how Super pid controls speed of router and if the throughput of the IOTrelay would block signal

14

That won’t work. The SuperPid takes in 0 - 5 volts as a control input to select the speed of the router.

The X-controller uses the PWM signal to generate the 0 - 10 volt control output.

You have to vary the PWM pulse width to vary the 0 - 10 volt output, which would have your IoT relay turning on and off at the PWM frequency.

15

I have gotten a response from SuperPid from my inquiry. They are looking into the issue that I raised, but there isn’t a final determination yet. When I know more I’ll post it here.

16

LarryM. Thanks

17

@MRoss

I sent you a PM.

18

Did you use the PWM output from the x-controller to the PWM input of the Super PID?
Also did you guys find a solution for turning off the router after the job is done?
Thanks

19

This is somewhat of a “as time permits” investigation.

Do you have the SuperPID or are you thinking about getting one?

20

I’m going to be getting one. Controlling the speed is very important.
I’m trying to learn as much as I can before getting it.

21

On/Off and speed control is possible. Best method involves adding some wiring inside the X-controller.