4. Desk/Benchtop connection, software and network installation and configuration
5. Mounting major components in electrical cabinet
6. Connecting and testing major components in the electrical cabinet
7. Wiring basic sub-systems
8. Configuring motors, encoders and limit switches in software
9. Wiring auxiliary sub-systems
9.1 Lube pump
9.2 Coolant pump
9.3 Spindle
Introduction
This manual describes how to install the AjaxCNC (Computer Numerical Control) system. It is
strongly recommended that you follow each step in order without skipping steps. The PC based
AjaxCNC system provides 3 to 6 axis closed loop servo interpolated motion, controlled by industry
standard G-Codes. The system is intended for CNC control of milling machines, routers, lathes,
flame, plasma, laser/water jet cutters, and other specialized applications. The AjaxCNC system is
intended for use by competent installers, retro-fitters, and machine tool builders who want to do
their own installation. This installation manual is not intended for casual end users.
Before You Begin:
Installing your new Ajax Mach3 based MPU11/DC3IOB system is a straight forward process if you
follow the directions included here. Before getting started, please take the time to familiarize
yourself with the schematics, manuals and installation instructions.
While doing the installation, it is very important that you follow the instructions exactly. Doing the
installation incrementally and testing as you go will allow you to immediately isolate the cause of
any problems that you may run into. A troubleshooting procedure is included for each section of
the installation so that if you do run into any problems, you will be able to quickly isolate the cause
and correct it. In addition to the troubleshooting procedures you can find answers to many
questions in our support forum www.ajaxcnc.com/ajaxbb
If you run into a problem that you can not solve using the troubleshooting procedure or through the
support forum, please fill out the appropriate troubleshooting form included in Appendix A and send
it via email to tech@ajaxcnc.com. Fee based phone support is also available if needed. Please
see http://ajaxcnc.com/tech_support.htm for details.
FIG.1
2. What's included:
Make sure your kit is complete and has not been visibly damaged in shipment. The basic
DC3IOB kit includes:
The Ajax Mach3 Based CNC Kit you purchased contains: Qty
1. DC3IOB Servo Drive with integrated PLC 1 ea.
2. MPU11 Motion Controller 1 ea.
3. Fiber Optic Cable 4 ea.
4. +-12VDC, 5VDC Digital Power Supply 1 ea.
5. 110VAC power cable for digital PS 1 ea.
6. Power Cable - Digital PS to MPU11 1 ea.
7. 110VAC Power cable to DC3IOB 1 ea.
8. 12 pin Phoenix connector for inputs 2 ea.
9. 10 pin Phoenix connector for relay outputs 2 ea.
10. 7 pin Phoenix connector for Spindle analog out 1 ea.
11. Misc connectors/pins/SIPS for aux inputs/outputs 1 ea.
12. Installation/Electronic Documentation CD 1 ea.
FIG.2
3. Order Of Installation
Section 4 - Desktop/Bench top connection -
4.1 Connecting the major components
4.2 Power up for the first time
4.3 Software installation and configuration in Windows 7
4.4 Testing PC, MPU11 and PLC communications
Section 5 - Mounting, connecting major components in your electrical cabinet
Mount, connect and test PC, MPU11 and DC3IOB
Section 6 – Connect and test the major components in the electrical cabinet
Section 7 - Wiring Basic Sub-systems
7.1 Wiring limit switches and Estop PLC Input
7.2 Testing limit switches and Estop input
7.3 Wiring Estop coil
7.4 Wiring encoders
7.5 Testing encoders
7.6 Wiring motors and motor power
7.7 Testing motors and motor power
Section 8 - Configuring motors, encoders and limit switches in software
8.1 Configuring motors to move in the correct direction
8.2 Temporarily disable limit Brains
8.3 Configuring your motors to move the correct distance
8.4 Configuring limit switches
8.5 Configuring backlash compensation
Section 9 -Wiring Auxiliary Sub-systems
9.1 Lube pump
9.2 Coolant pump
9.3 Spindle
9.3.1 Reversing Contactors
9.3.2 VFD/Inverter Wiring – AutomationDirect GS2
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install.
4.1Connecting the major components The first step in the installation is to connect the major
components together on your desktop as depicted in Fig. 3 below. Be sure that your surface is
non-conductive and that you use a power strip so that all you components are powered on and off
at the same time. When everything is connected, your setup should look similar to the photo in
Fig. 4 on the following page. At this point, the only connections that should be made are:
a) The 110VAC from the power strip to the DC3IOB PC power supply and MPU11 power supply.
b) The digital power cable from the MPU11 power supply to the MPU11
c) CAT5 network cable from the PC to the MPU11
d) Fiber optic cables (4) from the DC3IOB to the MPU11
a
b
d
c
FIG.3
Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
FIG.4
4.2 Powering up for the first time With the major components all connected, confirm that all
components are resting on a non-conductive surface and turn on your power strip to power up your
components and PC. While powering up, you notice that there are 4 LED's next to the power
connector (see yellow rectangle above) on the MPU11 that flicker while the MPU11 is initializing.
After 15-30 seconds the LED's should be in the following states:
FPGA-OK = Solid green
DSP Debug = Flashing ~1 per sec
DSP -OK = Solid Green
+5V = Solid Green
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
4.3 Software Installation and configuration on Windows XP With your desktop
configuration completely powered up as described in section 4.2. Install the Mach3
Software and configure Windows to communicate with the MPU11 hardware
4.3.1 Installing Mach3 Software Install mach to the default location
Select the Mach3 packages – do not install the parallel port drivers
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
4.3.1 Installing Mach3 Software (cont)
No custom profile is needed, the Ajax plug-in will create it's own
4.3.2 Obtaining and installing the latest Ajax Mach3 plugin version
The installation program, setup-mach-ajax-v#.##.exe for the Ajax Mach3 plug-in can be
found in the root directory on the DVD supplied with all Ajax MPU11 systems is also
available for download* from the AjaxCNC website at:
http://ajaxcnc.com/tech/downloads/software/. It is recommended that you check to make
sure that you have the latest version of the plug-in before installation.
If you are running from the DVD, double click “setup-mach-ajax-v#.##.exe ” to begin the
software installation. If you downloaded the software from the website, extract the files to a
local directory and then run “setup-mach-ajax-v#.##.exe”.
When the installer begins, you will be presented with a list of checkboxes to select which
package – Mill, Lathe, Mill Demo or Lathe Demo. Select only “Mill” and click “next”. When
prompted for the installation drive, leave it at the default location (c:\), click “next”. When the
CNC11 installation is complete, click “Next” and then “Finish”.
*Requires username and password to access link. If you do not know your username and password, please
email tech@ajaxcnc.com to request it. When emailing, be sure to provide the customer name and address
that your MPU11 system was purchased under or your system serial number. We cannot process your request
without this information.
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
4.3.2 Obtaining and installing the latest Ajax Mach3 plugin version (cont)
Select the brains to be installed. Select the default brains and, if you have a jog
pendant, install the pendant Brains as well, don't select mpg, 4th axis etc... we will
install those later
Configure your network adapter Make sure you allow the installer to set the IP address
(10.168.41.1) of the adapter in your PC or it won't be able to see the MPU11. NOTE: If you have
more than 1 network adaptor installed - select the adaptor with the IP adddress that begins with
169.xxx.xxx.xxx as shown below
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
4.4 Starting Mach for the first time
Before running Mach3 software for the first time, you must first configure Windows firewall to
allow Mach3 access to the network to communicate with the MPU11 hardware.
4.4.1 Configure Windows Firewall To Allow Mach3 to Communicate With The MPU11.
Double click the CNC11 Mill icon on your desktop to start the CNC11 software. Depending
on your XP Windows Firewall configuration, you may see the window below when you first
try to run Mach3. You must click “Unblock” to allow Mach3 to communicate with your
MPU11 and for Mach3 to operate correctly.
Once Mach3 has started and initialized the MPU11, you should see "Ajax Hardware
detected" in the bottom left of the Mach screen.
Congratulations! You have successfully configured your PC and Mach3 to
communicate with the MPU11 motion controller.
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
4.4.2 Configuring the Ajax Mach3 plug-in Select Config from the top menu in Mach, when
the plug-in pop-up windows comes up, select the yellow CONFIG box next to Ajax Plugin:
This brings up the Ajax Plugin configuration screen. Changing the value in "Stop on Encoder
Error" from 1 to 0 will prevent a fault from being generated while we test without the
encoders connected, leave the "Message on Encoder Error" value set to 1. This will issue a
warning message on the screen to remind us that the encoders are not connected but it
won't trigger any faults:
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
4.5Confirming PLC communications and Brain functionality for limits Click on the
“Diagnostics” tab in Mach3 to view the limit switch and emergency stop inputs as shown
below. This is what the limit switch and Emergency inputs should look like when all the
Emergency stop switch and limit switches are closed:
Toggle the “Limit DIP Switches” located on the DC3IOB drive to defeat and enable the
limit switch inputs while observing the real-time I/O screen. Setting a switch to the “up”
position defeats (shorts) that limit input, setting it to the “down” position enables it. When
an input is closed, the M1-M6 input above will be unlit. It should be noted that setting a
switch to the up position is electrically the same as jumping that input to input common.
After confirming operation for each limit input, leave the defeater in the “up” position for any
axis/dir that you will NOT be wiring a limit switch to.
4. Desk/Bench Top Connection & Software Install. (cont)
4.6.1 Testing PC, MPU11 and PLC communications – E Stop Input
Connect a jumper between the E Stop input on DC3IOB and input common just below it
shown below. Alternatively, open and close the jumper and observe that the status display
window of the diagnostics window as shown in section 4.5 of the previous page is lit when
the jumper is removed and off when the jumper is installed.
While opening and closing the E Stop input with the jumper, connect an ohm meter to the
drive fault realy output on the DC3IOB as shown below. Confirm that you have continuity
between Drive Fault Rly 1 and Drive Fault Rly 2 when the jumper is installed, and that the
relay opens when the jumper is removed.
Note: This behavior is used to remove motor power from
the servo drive when E stop is detected. It is “hard
wired” and can not be modified by the Brains or any other
manner. For this reason, your Estop switch MUST
be a normally closed type. If the E stop input is open,
Measure the drive fault relay will be open and motorswill be
Here disabled.
Bench top configuration is complete. Power off your
system and proceed to section 5
5. Mounting major components in your electrical cabinet
5.1Panel Layout Below is a suggested layout for the major components on your electrical
panel. This layout keeps the heavier components (transformer) at the bottom to keep the
enclosure from being top heavy and separates power from signal wiring wherever
possible. and helps keep the distance short when routing the DC motor power (We
recommend that motor power routing be less than 6 feet)
Mounting the terminal strip in the
middle provides easy access to
and from any component
Mounting the cap and bridge
under the DC3IOB leaves
more room for contactors in
other areas of the cabinet
5. Mounting major components in your cabinet (cont)
Mount the DC3IOB
directly over the cap
and bridge.
The easiest and most
convenient way to mount the
MPU11 is to install standoffs
on the cover of the DC3IOB
and mount the MPU11 on top.
Be sure to leave room to see
the labels on the I/O.
6. Connect major components in your cabinet
Connect the major components in your electrical cabinet just you had done on your desktop in
section 4 but wire your 110VAC service through your cabinet disconnect instead of a power strip.
a) The 110VAC from the disconnect to the DC3IOB PC power supply and MPU11 power supply.
b) The digital power cable from the MPU11 power supply to the MPU11
c) CAT5 network cable from the PC to the MPU11
d) Fiber optic cables (4) from the DC3IOB to the MPU11
a
b
d
c
Power up and test the system as described in section 4 but omit the software installation process.
7. Wiring Basic Sub-systems
7.1 Limit switch and Estop PLC input wiring Limit switches on the DC3IOB MUST be a
normally closed type switch (contact closure). This is because the DC3IOB electrically
disables motor rotation in one direction when a limit switch is open. The limit switch
inputs (inputs 1-6) are dedicated and can not be used as a general purpose input. Any
limit switch input that you will not be using must be disabled in order for your system to
operate properly. To disable a limit switch input, you can either pull UP the Limit Dip
Switch for that axis and direction as shown in the photo below left or jumper the input to
the common for that axis as shown below right (photo depicts all limits and Estop input
jumpered and defeated). NOTE: The two methods are electrically identical:
Connect your limit switches as shown:
7. Wiring Basic Sub-systems (cont)
7.1 Limit switch and Estop PLC input wiring (cont)
Estop PLC input wiring The Estop input (input 11) on the DC3IOB must be wired to a
normally closed switch (contact closure). When the Estop input is open, the motors are
disabled.
Estop PLC input wiring – no pendant
Estop PLC input wiring – with pendant
7. Wiring Basic Sub-systems (cont)
7.2 Limit switch and Estop PLC input testing Power up your system to test the limit
switch and Estop PLC input wiring. Start the Mach3 software. After the MPU11 has
initialized, bring up the diagnostics screen by clicking on the “diagnostics” tab
The image to the right shows the
limit switches, M1-M6, in the
normally closed and operational
state.
The Estop input, “Emergency” is
also in the normally closed and
operational state.
Trip your Estop and limit switches
individually and confirm that the
indicator for each input lights up
(changes to yellow) and turns off
when you trip and release each
switch that you have wired.
Confirm that ALL limit switch
inputs, M1-M6 for + and –
directions are unlit when not
tripped. If they are not, please check your limit switch wiring or review section 4.4.2 to
defeat your unused limit switch inputs. Confirm also that the Estop input, “Emergency” is
unlit when the Estop is not tripped.
Confirm that the 7 segment LED display on
the DC3IOB displays a steadily lit “1”
Check the drive fault relay Use an ohm
meter to confirm that the drive fault relay opens
when the estop switch is pressed and closes
when it is released.
Power off your system and continue to section 7.3 “Encoder Wiring”
7. Wiring Basic Sub-systems (cont)
7.3 Encoder wiring Wire the db9 connector that connects your encoders to the MPU11 as
shown below:
When you have completed wiring your encoder cables, connect them to the MPU11 as
shown below and continue to section 7.5 “Testing Encoder Wiring”
Z axis Y axis
X axis
7. Wiring Basic Sub-systems (cont)
7.4 Testing Encoder Wiring Power up your system to test the encoder wiring. Start the
Mach3 software and select Config → Homing/Limits and make sure that none of the
axes are reversed by confirming that all have a red “x” in the “Reversed” field
To confirm that each encoder is wired correctly, rotate the motor shaft CCW (as seen
while looking at the face of the motor as shown below) and confirm that the position
displayed in DRO becomes more positive while rotating the shaft CCW and becomes
more negative rotating the shaft CW:
Motor face plate
Rotating the shaft CCW increases
the value in the DRO for that axis
7. Wiring Basic Sub-systems
7.5 Wiring the Estop Coil The coil voltage that controls the Estop contactor is routed
through your Estop switch and the drive fault relay. The Estop switch and drive fault
relay are wired in series so that, if either opens, motor power will be removed from the
DC3IOB during an Estop or other fault condition. The drawings below route 24VAC to
the coil of the Estop contactor but the coil on your contactor may use a different voltage.
If that is the case, simply substitute your supply voltage for the 24VAC shown in the
drawings.
Estop coil circuit with pendant
7. Wiring Basic Sub-systems (cont)
7.6 Testing Estop Coil Wiring Power up your system to test the etop contactor wiring.
Start the CNC11 software by double clicking on the CNC11 Mill icon on your desktop.
After the MPU11 has initialized, press F10 to continue to the main screen.
Press your Estop switch in and then release it Observe the estop contactor engages
when the Estop switch is released and disengages when Estop is pressed.
Power off the system and proceed to section 7.7 “Wiring Motors and Motor Power”
7.7 Wiring Motors and Motor Power. Wire the motor power from your servo power
supply and connect your motor power cables to the DC3IOB as shown below:
7 Wiring Basic Sub-systems (cont)
7.8 Testing Motor power and motor wiring.
Do NOT try to jog your motors until instructed to do so in the procedure below.
Before powering up the system, push your Estop switch in. Power up your system. Start
the Mach3 software. After the MPU11 has initialized, confirm that “Ajax Hardware
Detected” is displayed before continuing.
Test your wiring as follows:
7.8.1 Measure the output voltage of your servo power supply With the Estop
switch pushed in, measure the DC voltage at the output of the servo power supply (if
we supplied the servo power supply, check across the terminals marked “+” and “-”
on the cap board.) If using an pre-exisiting servo power supply, usually a good place
to measure is across the terminals on the big capacitor (cylinder about the size of a
soda can). Confirm that the voltage is between 20-130VDC. Before continuing,
PLEASE double check your wiring for VM+ and VM- to make sure that they go to the
correct terminals on the DC3IOB.
7.8.2 Release Estop and measure the DC voltage at VM+ & VM- on the DC3IOB
When you release Estop, you should hear the Estop contactor pull-in. Measure the
voltage on the VM+ and VM- terminals on the H3 header on the DC3IOB and confirm
that the DC voltage is the same that was measured at the output of the servo power
supply.
7.8.3 Moving motors for the first time If you are using a jog pendant, make sure
that the Fast/Slow jog LED is lit (located between the X- & X+ jog keys)
8. Configure motors, encoders and limit switches in software
8.1Configuring motors to move in the correct direction It is important to understand
that correct motor direction is determined by the motion of the tool relative to the part,
this is not necessarily the same as the motion of the table. For axes that move the table
while the tool remains stationary such as the X & Y axes on a typical Bridgeport type
knee mill, the table motion is the opposite of the “tool motion”. For axes that move the
tool, such as the quill on a knee mill, axis motion is the same as the tool motion. The
illustrations below describe this concept.
Correct tool motion for each axis
Difference between table motion and tool motion on X axis of knee mill
In the above illustration, the tool is moving in the X+ direction relative to the part
while the table moves to the left.
8. Configure motors, encoders and limit switches in software
8.1 Configuring motors to move in the correct direction (cont.) Jog each axis and
determine if the axis is moving in the correct direction. To determine this, observe that
the DRO counts more positive while moving an axis in the positive direction and that it
counts more negative while moving in the negative direction. To correct for an axis that
is moving in the wrong direction, click Configure → Homing/Limits to display the screen
below. To reverse the direction of any axis, click on the “reversed” field to display a
green check mark:
8.2 Temporarily disable limit switch Brains Select Operator->Brain Control and clear the
check mark from the “Ajax Limit Inputs” & “Ajax Limit Handling” brains, click “Reload All
Brains” and then “OK”
8. Configure motors, encoders and limit switches in software
8.3Configuring motors to move the correct distance Configuring your motors to move
the correct distance involves calculating the number of encoder counts (“Steps per”) in
an inch of travel. To determine this, set up a block on the table as shown below. Use a
standard or anything that you can accurately measure, a 6” parallel works nicely as
shown below:
1. Jog in slowly from 1
direction to take up lash
2. Zero indicator and axes
3. MDI Z to .5” to clear
4. MDI command X to 6”
5. Read indicator to measure
distance traveled
6. Compute and enter new
“Steps per”
Set X0, Y0, Z0
Spindle
Block measured 6.0000”
How to compute “Steps per”: (Found in Config->Motor Tuning)
Commanded distance / Distance moved = multiplier
Multiplier * Current revs/inch = corrected “Steps per”
After you have made your changes, start again at step #1 above to confirm the new settings.
You should be able to accurately position to within a .0001 or so after performing this
procedure 1 or 2 times.
8. Configure motors, encoders and limit switches in software
8.4 Configuring limit switches Use the escape key to go to the main screen. Confirm
that all axes now move in the correct directions, if any do not, perform the procedures in
section 8.1 again. When all axes are moving in the correct directions, jog all axes to the
middle of their physical travel. Trip a limit on an axis -if you tripped the + limit, it should only
let you move the opposite (minus). If it lets you move positive while the plus limit is tripped your limit is incorrectly wired, switch the + and - limit wires for that axis at the DC3IOB to
correct. When you have done this for all axes, go back into the Brain Control (Section 8.2)
re-enable “Ajax Limit Inputs” & “Ajax Limit Handling” brains, click “Reload All Brains” and
then “OK”.
8.5 Configuring backlash compensation A note on backlash and backlash
compensation: Before configuring the backlash compensation in the control, every effort
should be made to reduce the mechanical lash in your machine to less than .001”. The
“electronic” backlash compensation provided by the control will help, especially in point to
point moves, but the overall accuracy of your machine is determined purely by the amount
mechanical lash in the machine.
NOTE: Before measuring backlash, make sure any existing backlash compensation is
removed. As shown below, always use MDI and slow feedrates when measuring
backlash. If you jog or using faster feedrates, your measurements may be inconsistent
due to the inertia of the table.
1. Zero indicator and axis
2. MDI G1 X- .025 F.5
3. MDI G1 X0 F.5
4. Read indicator to measure
backlash
5. Enter backlash amount
To enter backlash compensation values:
Config → Config Plugins -> Ajax Plugin → Config
Spindle
9. Wiring Auxiliary Sub-systems
9.1Lube Pump Wiring
LUBE
PUMP
ALARM COM
GND
ACN
ACH
ALARM NO
ALARM NC
AC POWER 110V
FOR LUBE PUMP
N
H
H16
FLOOD COM
FLOOD
LUBE COM
LUBE
NO
NC
SPIN RESET COM
NO
NC
SPIN DIR COM
H20
+5 VOLTS
RANGE IN9
ROT A CK IN31
COMMON
ROT HM IN30
SPIN FLT IN25
COMMON
REL SW IN25
LOW LUBE IN18
COMMON
DP4 DETECT IN15
DP4 INPUT IN14
4A
OUT 2
OUT 15
OUT 13
DC3IOB
+5VDC
Opto isolator
TYPICAL
INPUT
INPUT
INPUT COMMON
9. Wiring Auxiliary Sub-systems
9.2Coolant Pump Wiring
POWER FOR FLOOD
CONTA CTOR COIL
+24V
QUENCHARC
FLOOD
CONTA CTOR
THERMAL
OVERLOA D
PROTECTOR
3 Phase
Flood Pump
220v@3AMPS
3 PHASE POWER
FOR FLOOD PUMP
L3
L2
L1
T3
T2
T1
T3
T2
T1
L2
L1
L3
FG
A1
COIL
A2
97
98 95 96
H16
FLOOD COM
FLOOD
LUBE COM
LUBE
NO
NC
SPIN RESET COM
NO
NC
SPIN DIR COM
DC3IOB
OUT 3
4A
OUT 2
OUT 15
OUT 13
Coolant Flood Pump Sub-circuit Diagram
This sub-circuit shows how to hook up a 3 phase Flood Pump. Because the
pump draws higher current at 220V a Flood Contactor PART# 3959 is needed.
Notice the Quencharc PART# 1819 on the coil of the contactor, this prevents
electrical noise when the coolant flood is cycled on and off. A thermal overload is
also shown, this part protects the motor by opening the circuit if it stalls for any
reason, such as dips in the pump.
NOTE: This diagram depicts the 24VAC wired through the NC contacts on the
overload section of the contactor. The overload protection circuit on your
existing contactor may be labeled differently or there may be no overload
protection.