Starting another conversion Harrison L5a

mblaszkiewicz wrote:

Well ordering parts now. Just looking for one suggestion. I will have to make a spindle encoder (slotted disk style) just looking for some advice for which optical switches to use and how many I would need.

For a lathe spindle you need 3 channels. You need the index for threading and the bidirectional counting for tapping (and a few other things).

Having been through the loop a few times I wouldn't bother trying to make an encoder any more. I have ended up with a commercial encoder driven by 1:1 gearing. You have the original back-gears to use. A small toothed belt drive will work too.

There are encoders on eBay for <$20. Make sure you get one with bearings and an index.

But if you do want to make your own, use the slot-type rather than the reflective type, and you probably want logic-output.

mblaszkiewicz wrote:

I was wondering if there is anyway to included a spindle encoder to this card or do I need something else.

You can count encoder pulses in software (ie, using the HAL "encoder" component. it may be that you run out of counting capability at high spindle speeds, but this might not matter as you only need the encoder when threading, which you do at low spindle speeds. (feed-per-rev mode will get a bit funny when the encoder gives up, too, but parts will still happen)

The encoder I have is
www.cui.com/product/components/encoders/.../modular/amt10-v-kit

I am not sure how you can mount that to the spindle. (I did say to get one with bearings....)[/quote]

also wondering about adding in a vfd.

Do that. When you have a VFD you can do constant surface speed turning, which works better (and removes more metal, faster)
You can hear my lathe doing the CSS thing in t his video

mblaszkiewicz wrote:

I have the vfd. Is it possible to integrate with this card. ??

Yes. You just need something to convert a PWM to analogue voltage to give a speed command to the VFD.
You can make your own, here is one that worked well for me.
picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ss1bl5Wh0i...pFm0?feat=directlink

Or you can buy something:
store.mesanet.com/index.php?route=produc...spinx&product_id=205

[quote[I know how I will hook it up already. just need to hook it up to the card. That is what I don't know how to do.[/quote]
Just connect the A B and Z outputs to three BoB inputs.