USER’S

MANUAL

C6 – VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL

Rev. 6.2

JULY, 2015
 USER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page #

Contents
1.0 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 Features ......................................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Specifications ................................................................................................................ 2
4.0 Board Description ......................................................................................................... 3
5.0 Functional Block Diagrams .......................................................................................... 4
5.1 Configuring the Control Software: ............................................................................... 4
5.2 Pinout of connector RJ45: ............................................................................................ 7
6.0 Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................ 8
7.0 Dimensions .................................................................................................................. 10

User’s Manual Page 0

1.0 OVERVIEW

This card lets you control your spindle with step and direction signals, as if it was an
axis motor. It convert the step signal to an analog (0-10VDC) and by using the onboard
relays you can control the direction (CW/CCW) and enable the drive (On/Off).

A Variable Frequency Drive or Inverter works by modifying the frequency for AC motors.
You can control most of these devices with an external analog signal (0-10VDC). That is,
if there is 5VDC coming into through the control signal, the motor will run at 50% of full
speed, if there was 10VDC, the motor will run at 100% of full speed. If there is no signal
coming out, then the motor will stop.
This unit can also be used on many DC motor controllers by replacing the potentiometer
that controls the speed.

2.0 FEATURES

 Inputs a frequency (step) and outputs an analog 0-10VDC.

 Have two relays that can be used to control the direction and enable and disable the
drive.

 Opto-isolated output signals. The analog and CW and CCW signals are optically
isolated, so this board can be used with drives that make grounds common with the
mains that drive the VFD or motor.

 All TTL +5VDC or +3.3VDC Signals. Interface directly with parallel port interface
products and other cnc4pc.com cards. 5VDC (TTL) signals are very common
among automation devices.

 Flexible design. It works with cnc4pc’s products, directly through your parallel port,
or through many other parallel port control products.

 RJ45 Connector. This connector is for connecting the boards directly using a
standard RJ45 cable, allowing can be used to carry input signal and power line.

User’s Manual Page 1

3.0 SPECIFICATIONS

INPUT SPECIFICATIONS
On-state voltage range 2 to 5V DC
Minimum on-state input current 16 mA
Maximum off-state voltage 0.8V
Maximum operation frequency 50KHz
Minimum on-state pulse width 3uS
Signal Type Active High
The inputs are not buffered

ELECTROMECHANICAL RELAYS SPECIFICACTIONS

Maximum Current (AC) 7A@240VAC; 10A@125VAC
Maximum Current (DC) 15A@24VDC; 10A@28VDC

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions Millimeters: 105L x 75W x22D
External power 12V DC @ 200mA

Wiring:
Before connecting anything, please be sure to read your VFD’s manual and
make sure you understand all the safety issues.

User’s Manual Page 2

4.0 Board Description

Note: A 12V or 15-24V@200mA Power Supply is required (X1).

Relay 1 and 2 can be used for CW and CCW start/stop, or one relay for start/stop
and the second one for controlling direction.

WARNING: Check the polarity and voltage of the external power source and
connect the 12V or 15-24V, and GND. Overvoltage or reverse polarity power applied to
these terminals (X1) can cause damage to the board, and/or the power source. Must be
isolated of the signals of input and is common with the analog output.
You will require a voltmeter to fine tune your system.

User’s Manual Page 3

5.0 FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAMS

Fig. 2 C6 Analog Output Block Diagram

Fig. 3 C6 Relays Outputs Block Diagram

5.1 Configuring the Control Software:

It is strongly recommend you read your control software’s manual. You need to
configure your control software to control the spindle as if it was an angular axis. This
card requires a 25 KHz input signal to deliver 10VDC. So you have to set the speed of
the motor (spindle) at maximum. For acceleration values adjust them to where you feel
comfortable. Keep in mind the acceleration of the motor must also be set in your VFD.

For configuring Mach follow these steps:

1. Go to Config / Ports&Pins / Motor Outputs. Enable the spindle and select the
port and pins you wired for step and direction.

User’s Manual Page 4

 Fig. 7 Ports&Pins configuration screenshot

2. Go to Config / Ports&Pins / Spindle Setup. In the motor control box, check Use
Spindle Motor Output and Step /Dir Motor. Under Pulley Ratios set the pulley
ratios of the machine.

Fig. 8 Spindle Setup screenshot

Go to Config / Motor Tuning / Spindle. On Steps per unit put 1,000, set
velocity to Maximum. For Acceleration, choose the acceleration that you feel
comfortable with. Start slow, increase acceleration as you test your system. Under

User’s Manual Page 5

Step Pulse length, use a number from 3 to 5, but start with 3. This number is directly
proportional to the final voltage you will get in the analog output. Use this number and
the fine tuning pot to adjust the voltage you want to get at max speed.

Fig. 9 Motor Tuning and Setup screenshot

After configuring the Mach, these steps should be followed.

Step 1 Ensure that all external power sources are set to OFF.
Step 2 Connect the power supply to the Power Inputs Connectors (X1).
Step 3 Connect the input signals to the Inputs Connectors (X3).
Step 4 Turn on the external supplies
Step 5 Connect a multimeter in the analog outputs connectors
(X4) and make and fine tune this output:
Make sure that when you reach the max speed in the control
software you get 10VDC out (X4). This voltage can vary
depending on many things, including the electrical properties of
parallel port or breakout board you are using, the length of the
step pulse your software is delivering, and the normal hi or low
status of your step pin. Play with the fine tuning pot in the card
(X5), the normally hi or low status of your pin, and the pulse width.

Step 6 Turn off the external supplies

Step 7 Connect the analog output (X4) and external Relay contacts (X6 and/or X7).
Step 8.Turn on the external power supplies.

User’s Manual Page 6

 5.2 Pinout of connector RJ45:

RJ45 PIN FUNCTION

1 GND
2 NOT USED
3 REL_1
4 REL_2
5 STEP
6 NOT USED
7 NOT USED
8 NOT USED

Replacing a Potentiometer:

This circuit can be used to replace a potentiometer of DC

motor speed control circuits. This speed controller circuits
are very commonly used by SIEG, KB Electronics, and
many other oriental machines. Before explaining how to do
it, please first keep in mind that it can be done if the voltage
that goes though the pot is +12vdc or less. This circuit
cannot be used for AC currents.

In most cases the terminals that go to the potentiometer will

carry these signals:

P1 = GND
P2 = WIPER
P3 = REFERENCE VOLTAGE

These are the steps for replacing a potentiometer:

1. Measure the voltage difference between P1 and P3. Make sure it measures
under +12vdc.
2. Fine tune the analog output to the output voltage you got from step 1.
3. Connect the ground from the analog output to the ground of the potentiometer
(P1).
4. Connect the analog output to the wiper connection of the potentiometer (P2).
If the reference voltage from pot is between +10 and 12vdc, you can use it to power the
analog circuit (not for the C6, because the relays might draw too much power). In this
case, connect P1 to the ground of the power terminal, and P3 to the +12vdc power
connector.

User’s Manual Page 7

6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING

SYMPTOM: THE BOARD DOES NOT REACT TO THE SIGNAL.

POSSIBLE CAUSE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

- Pin conflict or mach3 configuration. - Go to the device manager in windows,

It is possible that the port address and check the memory address used for
used for the pin is not right, or that the parallel port you are using. Usually it
there is a pin conflict with the. That is will be 378 for LPT1. Check also that
that you are using that same pin twice. the port does not have a conflict. Then
(it could be assigned to a different in mach3, go to Ports & Pins / Port Setup
function). and Axis Selection. Check the memory
address is correct.
- Check that the pin you are using is not
been used anywhere else in your setup.
Got to motor output and output signals,
and check all the entries.

- The signal or frequencies are not - Try a different cable.

getting to the board. It could be the - Test the pins in the cable (before they
cable or that you are passing the reach the breakout board) with a
signal through the same breakout multimeter.
board that you are enabling /disabling,
so the outputs could be disabled, so
they will not get to the breakout board.
- Problems with Mach3 Pulse - Test this in a different PC.
Generation. Mach3 could have - Follow Art’s suggestions for optimizing
installation problems (you did not up WinXP:
restart immediately after installation), http://www.machsupport.com/downloads
or there could be something creating a /XP_Optimization.txt.
conflict. Some dongle devices might
cause this, other software, like
QuickTime or drivers for touch screen.
- The inputs signal does not have - Use a breakout board to buffer and
enough strength. Modern PCs come boost the signals.
with parallel ports that have very low
amperage signals; the pulse stream
has to be able to provide at least
16mA signals.

User’s Manual Page 8

SYMPTOM: THE ANALOG OUTPUT DOES NOT REACH THE 10VDC.

POSSIBLE CAUSE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

- Insufficient pulse width. It is possible - In Mach X, go to Config / Motor Tuning /

that the signal pulse width is not Spindle. Under Step Pulse length
enough to activate the opt couplers. increase this value, use a number from 3
to 5, but start with 3.

- The signal is set active low or the - In Mach X, go to Config / Ports&Pins /

breakout board could be inverting Motor Outputs. Change the active low
the signals. status of the pin used for step.

User’s Manual Page 9

7.0 Dimensions

Fig. 4 C6 dimensions

Disclaimer
Use caution. CNC machines can be dangerous machines. Neither DUNCAN USA, LLC
nor Arturo Duncan are liable for any accidents resulting from the improper use of these
devices. This board is not a fail-safe device and it should not be used in life support
systems or in other devices where its failure or possible erratic operation could cause
property damage, bodily injury or loss of life.

User’s Manual Page 10