I bought the 5 Pro and VFD spindle at the same time, no router . The only instructions to install the spindle start by assuming you already have the router configuration installed. Does anyone know where they might have instructions that help the guy that buys the cnc machine with a spindle that doesn’t have trying to remove something that doesn’t exist first?
My recommendation for installing a router is to install the shortest tool you plan to use, choked up as much as you can, then position the machine over the aluminum T-track, in-between the MDF, then drop the VFD down so that this tool is just above the aluminum surface.
How about the wiring installation instructions? I get the physical locating
Write in to support@carbide3d.com for the official suggestion on that.
Okay after a large writeup I went and looked and there is no mount holes for the right end of the secondary drag chain where I expected it… It should be mounted to the left side of the machine (I mounted mine right and went through the same drag chain due to limited space in the shop but will probably pay for it in the long run with wear)
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SLACK FOR YOUR Z AXIS to be able to bottom out without excess wear!!
I have checked my connections several times but for example under “Quick Actions” spindle warm up the spindle doesn’t do anything yet the warmup on the carbide motion screen shows 8000 rpm for like 300 seconds and counts down yet nothing is happening. The VFD button is lit up red when pushed. How do you troubleshoot this. Frustrated as this suppose to be brand new. Please help anyone
Thanks
Did you configure for a VFD spindle in the Setup Wizard?
https://carbide3d.com/hub/docs/shapeoko-setup/
If that doesn’t get this spinning, I see that you’ve sent in two e-mails to support — we’ll address them as soon as we can tomorrow when we have folks who are experienced w/ spindles check in.
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Will
Bless you for all your help. I just went out to my shop and after trying to get it going several more times, pushing the button on the VFD each time, it consistently turns red but not starting the spindle. Finally on about the fifth time button turns red and also I get 00 reading on the VFD. So I try the warm up spindle command and the spindle spins up. Good news, but I have got to believe there’s something loose or faulty within the VFD. I do not have the knowledge on VFDs to determine what’s going on. I am worried I am going to have more trouble or uncertainty. I guess I don’t trust the VFD. I have been very gentle handling it from the minute I opened the box.
The VFD cannot be manually engaged for “customer protection” the whole product has been designed with foolproof in mind and as such we don’t have manual use of our VFD’s in jog mode or any other mode than during a program. If you try a project and hover over your e-stop and after your tool measure it should move slightly to the left and then the VFD should start. If it does not start at this point once it is moving hit the E-stop and let support know. It could be another faulty controller if that is the case. The VFD’s have actually been surprisingly good and mine has about 1 thou .001 of runout.
So because of intermittent issue with my VFD Carbide sets up a phone call with me via their training calendar. I talked with Oscar who was very nice and I explained my problem. His best guess was it could be the power cord and said he would send one. Haven’t heard anymore about it. But previously during assembly of the CNC I had the brackets for the drag chains on the y rails but no fasteners for the brackets but fasteners for the drag chain were there. Said they’d sent them overnight. Not. Closer to a week. So I went down to my little hardware store that has seemingly every fastener and installed the brackets though there’s nothing in the instructions to show you how to install. In the Carbide assembly video magically they’re already installed as you see Winston attaching drag chain. Noticed someone else mentioned the same concern over this. So next I sprung for the BitZero along with a couple extra collets and paid extra for the UPS 3 Day select on 8/27. On 8/28 I get an email from Carbide stating it has shipped as of 12:11 pm 8/28. Well it’s week later and still don’t have it. I don’t know what gives with this company. So rather than disassembling all the drag chain to get the spindle cord out and return the VFD for repair, I’m going to keep my fingers crossed the VFD keeps working. Once it won’t work no matter what I do I will send it back. Wish I hadn’t bought this. I was trying get this set up for my son in law and make sure everything is good for him. He’s a Mech Eng and was excited. I’m dealing with stage 4 cancer on top of everything else. I’m happy for the people that had a good experience.
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