Connectors

[GF357]

I'm gathering parts for a new controller enclosure (24" X 24" X 8" NEMA 3R w/ hinged cover, or 609mm X 609mm X 203mm IP14) and I'm curious as to what connectors people use for their motors, spindle, and other parts. My current machine is based on the CNCRP PRO48X96, and their motors either come with DE-9 (Nema 23) or XLR-4 (Nema 34), but this isn't really an industry standard, is it? Their sensors and E-stop use M12-4A, which seems to be fairly common. The spindle and plasma share a "standard" 14 pin circular connector, and from the VFD to the spindle an M23-6 is used. I'm considering getting rid of all but the M12's and just using cable glands at the controller and terminating everything on a DIN rail terminal block. This would allow me to upgrade from Nema 23 to 34 without having to re-do all of the motor connectors the enclosure, and I'm guessing it'd work for servos, too.

So my question to those of you with multiple machines, or people that have fallen down the upgrade hole, what did you use? And while we're talking about controller enclosures, what about dust collection, air/coolant, and any other extras? My plan is to use dry contacts to trigger dust collection as well as air/mist/flood coolant and either RJ45 jacks, or again, cable glands + terminal blocks instead of switching line voltage at the enclosure. Modbus/RS485? RJ45.

Any suggestions or things you would have done differently?

[cncdrive]

Hi,

We use these connectors for motor phases, encoders, flood, mist, home/limits etc.: http://shop.cncdrive.com/index.php?categoryID=155
The SP13xx are rated between 3 to 13Amps, depending on the number of pins the connector has. The ratings are listed here: http://cncdrive.com/img/SP13_connector.png
The SP21xx are rated between 5 to 30Amps, again depending on the number of pins. The ratings are listed here: http://cncdrive.com/img/SP21_connector.png
There are both panel mount connectors, males and females and also floating cable connectors males and females.
All connectors have IP64 protection.

For connecting the RJ45 we use these: http://shop.cncdrive.com/index.php?productID=861
You can mount it into a cutout on the panel of a control box. And it has IP68 protection level.

The other way is to not use connectors, but use the proper sized cable glands.
Some say not using any connectors is the best, because then there is no possibility of connection error, but ofcourse then moving the control box, debug and repair is not that easy if the cables are fix connected.

[ger21]

The other way is to not use connectors, but use the proper sized cable glands.
Some say not using any connectors is the best, because then there is no possibility of connection error,

This is the way I'm doing it.

[Robertspark]

Being the cheapskate that I am, I shopped around for these in bulk from China (ebay.co.uk / ebay.com / dealextreme / aliexpress / banggood / DHgate etc).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-Aviation ... SwcB5ZJSyR
In 4 and 8 pin variants.
They are available in 2 pin to 8 pin I believe, note comments about soldering large pin numbers below.
I use the 4 pin to the stepper motors, and 8 pin (with sheilded ethernet cable to my sensors and switches).

I also have a few of these too:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Military-14-P ... xyi3FR0Q89

For USB / RJ45 bulkhead I used these (they are available in various lengths):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30cm-RJ45-Mal ... SwhvFZDVj9
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-2-0-A-Fem ... SwixhZe8YX

The only catch is I always find them a pia to solder small pins (big fingers + glasses....)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soldering-Iro ... SwstxU3OZc
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-15-20-25X- ... SwKOJYJYhN

I do like RJ45 / RJ11 connectors though because of their simplicity (cable and connectors are cheap and they are quick and easy to crimp.... easier than soldering 8 pin + connectors in a circular arrangement)

I also have a few of cncdrives' blue connectors