[How do I?] B&S Surface Grinder Stepper Motor Power Table Feed

I started a thread on this several years ago. There are 11 pages of info in there. You might find something useful.
I am watching this thread as I was never able to finish my conversion beyond being able to get the table to move back and forth. But my stepper was to small so it only could move very slowly. I will be watching this thread as this is still on the list of things I need to do.

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Convert a manual grinder to auto feed?

Anyone ever done this? I have an ancient B&S No.2 Surface grinder. These pics are are of it before I took it home and hauled it into the basement. I have since cleaned everything, and replaced every bearing. I would like to convert it from full manual to a auto feed in both the X and Z. The only...
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Did some research on VFD's, and you guys are right. VFD's can be run without a load, but you can't switch a load on and off with the VFD running.
I'm going to have to rethink the wiring schematic and probably add a switch to turn the VFD on and off to control the spindle motor.
This is why I posted this build thread on here, I knew someone here would spot my mistakes and have a solution.
Thanks guys.
 
bcap55 said:
Did some research on VFD's, and you guys are right. VFD's can be run without a load, but you can't switch a load on and off with the VFD running.
I'm going to have to rethink the wiring schematic and probably add a switch to turn the VFD on and off to control the spindle motor.
This is why I posted this build thread on here, I knew someone here would spot my mistakes and have a solution.
Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
i recently checked with Automation Direct about switching the input with a load on the vfd. Was going to do this for coolant on my mill. NOT recommended. You should leave the vfd powered and start stop with the panel buttons or external switching.

Greg
 
I changed my plans to power the grinder spindle motor with a VFD, and decided it would be easier to run 3 phase power from the rotary phase converter on the other side of my shop to the surface grinder. This way the controls for the grinder stay the same.
I made a bracket to mount the electrical box to a 3/4" airline drop next to the grinder.
IMG_4082.JPGIMG_4118.JPG
I used 220v power to the control box because I already had the wiring run to that location for the other surface grinder. I ran the 220v supply through a rotary on-off switch and then to junction blocks. From there the power runs through another switch to the 36v power supply for the stepper driver and motor. Power is also run from the junction blocks to a 24v power supply for the motor controller and the cooling fan.
IMG_4116.JPG
Here is how the motor control is wired.
IMG_4105.JPGIMG_4113.JPG
I wired the PUL-, DIR-, and EN- terminals on the stepper driver together and ran them and the GND terminal on the controller to ground. I'm wondering if that was correct.
IMG_4117.JPG
I ran the 4 wires from the driver A+,A-,B+,B- to the Black, Green, Red, Blue wires respectively at the stepper motor.
I turned the power on and went through the motor controller parameter settings and left them at the default values.
Forward and reverse pulse number: 1600
Forward and reverse RPM : 10
Pulse numbers for one circle : 160
I tried the simplest work mode of the controller F-01 > P01 as a start. In this mode the stepper motor should rotate when the potentiometer is turned, but I get no movement at all.
I've checked the voltages from the power source and they are on and at the correct value. Other than that I rechecked the wiring and can't see anything that could be wrong.
I have no experience with stepper motors so if anyone here can help and give me any ideas on what I need to do to get the stepper motor to run I would appreciate any help.
 
I fixed the problem, I had the stepper driver set to the factory signal input setting of 24v thinking that it should match the 24v supply to the motor controller. The controller only puts out a 3.4v signal to the driver, so I changed the setting on the driver to 5v.
I have it working on the loop work mode and I'm very happy with the way it operates. The controller is easy to use and I really like how the table motion can be paused at the end of travel to give you time to advance the table in and out along the spindle axis.
Here is a quick video showing the grinder in operation.
 
I think your auto cycle table drive is very nice.
You've cured the worst operating inconvenience of manual surface grinders.
I'd like to add building one to my wish list for future projects.

I think you mentioned the controller has 9 operating modes. I'd like to know more about the different modes. I assume there is a manual included with the purchase of a controller. My question is, does the manual describe the modes well or is it very poor (as some import product manuals are)?
I'll probably just buy a controller anyway (and see for myself), but I thought I'd ask your opinion first.
I watched the two short videos included in the Amazon listing but I'm not clear on what they are calling "9 OPERATING STATES"
I'm an electronics kindergartener. Any clarification appreciated.


"
 
extropic said:
I think your auto cycle table drive is very nice.
You've cured the worst operating inconvenience of manual surface grinders.
I'd like to add building one to my wish list for future projects.

I think you mentioned the controller has 9 operating modes. I'd like to know more about the different modes. I assume there is a manual included with the purchase of a controller. My question is, does the manual describe the modes well or is it very poor (as some import product manuals are)?
I'll probably just buy a controller anyway (and see for myself), but I thought I'd ask your opinion first.
I watched the two short videos included in the Amazon listing but I'm not clear on what they are calling "9 OPERATING STATES"
I'm an electronics kindergartener. Any clarification appreciated.


"
Click to expand...
The controller came with a basic instruction sheet, but you can scan the code on the sheet and get a more detailed and thorough instructions.
I'm not experienced in electronics either, but after reading the instructions over and over I began to understand them better each time.
The work modes start off with the easiest to understand first and get more complicated as you go. At first it was confusing but your understanding of the work modes will improve after studying them several times. I found the instructions easy to follow and well written.
Here is a version of the instructions similar to but not as well written as the one I used.
Here is a link to Part 1 of four videos that show you everything you need to know about installing and using this type of controller, I found the videos to be very helpful.
 
Oh..this might come handy in the future…

That looks to be working great!
 
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