Hello,

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I have been using Mach 3 for about 4 months now - starting with a cnc mill and now I am finalizing a cnc mini lathe.

My question is regarding the cnc minilathe spindle index. I am using a MKX-IV control board (USB) and have the X and Z axes working correctly. I installed a NPN hall effect sensor and magnet for the spindle speed sensor, and have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to get a stable spindle speed readout out of mach. When checking the actual electronics, I have a clean, stable frequency as measured from the sensor. But Mach 3 reports a spindle speed only in increments of 600 rpm (going up to 1200, 1800, etc as I increase spindle speed). If I check the 'Spindle Speed Averaging Box' then I will get different spindle speeds that seem semi-accurate (i.e. 536, 640, and any other integer), but the speeds bounce around a lot. In case it is important - I am using a licensed Mach 3 and not demo version.

I'll keep working on it but feel like I've checked everything. My one hope is that I noticed someone else with this same 600 rpm increment issue using an MKX-IV board. It didn't appear that the issue was resolved though. I'm attaching my Mach3 Turn xml file in case that helps any diagnosis.

Thank you for any suggestions and/or comments.

Config menu then General Config. Far right of the page you will see Index Debounce, set that to zero and see if it helps.

Just noticed it is a USB controller you have so likely that will not make any difference. I am not familiar with the USB controller you have but there may be a similar setting in the plugin.

Thank you for the help. Yep I've already tried setting the index debounce to 0 (and many other values). I've attached a screenshot of my plugin settings - I've played a bit with these as well but don't see anything that would relate to this issue.

I may be able to get a refund for this board and get a new one. I was really planning on threading abilities.

Can you recommend a couple of Mach3 compatible boards that interface via USB? I guess Ethernet may also work for me but I've used USB in the past.

Thank you again,
Steve

Attached is the plugin screenshot...

USB or Ethernet SmoothStepper work well.

Thank you very much for the advice. I may indeed switch to a SmoothStepper as it seems like a better long term solution.

I'll update this post when I figure out more about how to make my setup work correctly.

Hi.
I have a slightly newer board from this manufacturer, and a very similar problem.
My breakout board is XHC MKx-ET (4axis, ethernet, ver. V5.914)
For me, the resolution of the spindle is 60.
 When spindle is turn off, I have 0, when I slowly increase the speed, I immediately have 60 then 120, 180,240.

Changing the impulses per rotation in the plugin does not change anything, I have probably tried all the options.
I was trying diferent computer, ald three diferent sensor ( magnetic and optics)

Have you solved your problem?
Did you advertise the device?
Can you suggest something?

Hi,

I never fixed this problem. My solution was to return the XHC controller board and get a refund. I then purchased a SmoothStepper which essentially fixed all of my issues regarding the spindle sensor.

Hope this helps,
Steve