Clearpath Setup in UC CNC

[arogers1987]

Hello everyone! I need a bit of help from other users who have been able to get clearpath servos working with this software. I will post pictures of how I have everything set up, but I cant seem to figure out where or how to assign the HLFB in UC CNC. Currently I have the HLFB wired in series between all 4 servos, the negative side of one end going to 0V, and the positive side on the other motor to X109 (my next available input). Using the XS-, XD-, Y301 for enable and so on for each other servo. Despite everything I have tried so far, the motor status lights are staying orange instead of green. I can use them with the MSP software though and they work GREAT! This is my first time learning how to use UC CNC or any other similar software for that matter. I appreciate any advice!

[formantjim]

Wow looks to me like you have some big Clearpath servos there, congratulations great choice. I too have Clearpaths and use UCCNC with the ETH300 board and have the HLF wired to pins 11,12,13 and 15 input pins on Port 1 and the enable pins wired to output pins 16,3,6 and 9 on Port 1. The lights on the Clearpaths go green when UCCNC has just opened and reset as the enable pins need to be wired to output pins and assigned accordingly that's why your lights are not turning green.

Simple easy fix.

[arogers1987]

Wow looks to me like you have some big Clearpath servos there, congratulations great choice. I too have Clearpaths and use UCCNC with the ETH300 board and have the HLF wired to pins 11,12,13 and 15 input pins on Port 1 and the enable pins wired to output pins 16,3,6 and 9 on Port 1. The lights on the Clearpaths go green when UCCNC has just opened and reset as the enable pins need to be wired to output pins and assigned accordingly that's why your lights are not turning green.

Simple easy fix.

Awesome thanks for the info! I have had my HLFB wired in series between the motors with the + end connected to x109, - end to my 0V. I have my enables + connected to 24V and - connected to Y301 through Y304. I just moved HLFB from x109 to x111 and it seems to work properly! Where exactly in the config window are you assinging those pins for HLFB? I think my enable wiring is working, because I am using the MSP software while attempting to jog the machine, and I can see the servo says its green, enabled, and I can see it receiving the signal to move from UC CNC. I finally got the green lights flickering on all of the servos, but have not gotten any movement yet. Here is a screenshot of what my diagnostics page looks like. Are Y301-Y304 supposed to stay red on the diagnostics page, or should they be green? Same question about the Y301 outputs, or do they only turn green when outputting a signal? When I attempt to jog the machine the XD+ light comes on bright, but the XS+ light is only very dim. These lights are staying on and turning off seemingly inconsistently as well so I think I have an issue in there somewhere.

May I ask if you use the regular or enhanced servos? Mine are enhanced and 6400 pulses per revolution. I have calculated the steps per inch of the X, Y, A Axis to be (6400 steps/rev)*3.2 drive ratio/pi (for a 1 inch pinion) = 6522.3 steps per inch - is this similar to what you are using?

[ger21]

Inputs are green, Outputs are red.
The step pin will be dim, as it's actually flickering, because it's a series of short pulses.

[arogers1987]

Inputs are green, Outputs are red.
The step pin will be dim, as it's actually flickering, because it's a series of short pulses.

Great, so the inputs appear to be working properly. Still looking for where HLFB is assigned in UC CNC config window. I keep thinking the place to assign it is current hi/lo, but again, whenever I set any pin and port to this and apply settings, it resets to pin 0 port 0. I have tested every wire connection and all routing, continuity, voltages, etc - all is connected as it should be. Servos enabled, I can see the signal in the clearpath MSP going to the servos, servo enables are active (red light on both Ub1 and UC CNC diagnostics page) I am starting to think this issue is something incredibly simple like some box that needs to be checked... One very strange thing I have found is that currently I have a dedicated 24V psu powering the uc300eth-ub1 and another 24v psu powering the limit switches, clearpath 24v requirements, safety circuit. When I tried to power everything in my enclosure with a single 24v psu, my safety circuit would never engage. I cant pinpoint the reason why .. its bizarre and driving me a little crazy.

I am still learning so much here even when running into a wall as far as progress is concerned. I greatly appreciate everyones help.

[formantjim]

Yes I too am using the enhanced servos and I'm not sure of your calculations but I'm using ball screws with linear rails and my steps per unit are 32550.3691. Believe it or not I've had to reduce the resolution of the Clearpaths as when cutting big circles the machine will stop as the ETH 300 buffer cannot keep up or my PC that drives the unit cannot output or compute the geometry fast enough. Also by reducing the feedrate I can overcome the stopping.

You mention 24 volt supply for the Clearpaths I hope that is a typo as the correct power supply is 72Volts with mine at least anyway.

When you wire up the Clearpaths the enable pin is assigned in the setup configuration so when you power up the machine the green leds on the servos will flash continuously so you know all is good. If one overloads the servo it will change to orange and stop the machine until you fix the issue. Provided you have assigned the correct Step and Direction pins then you should have movement UCCNC and the ETH 300 really are bullet proof mines been running flawless for over 2 years. I've been adding lasers, touch probes and cameras to the machine to make it a very versatile. The plugin library continues to grow and this forum is a fantastic resource.

[ger21]

I keep thinking the place to assign it is current hi/lo, but again, whenever I set any pin and port to this and apply settings, it resets to pin 0 port 0.

Sounds like you are trying to assign an Input pin to an output. That's why it's changing to 0,0.
Sorry, not familiar with Clearpaths wiring.