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Gang Spindle Setup

Overview

The gang spindle parameters allow multiple spindles to be locked together in their run state and commanded RPM, compiling all of their feedback into a single unit. In this way, one speed can be set that will be distributed to all spindles in the group, and a single run command will start all spindles together. Similarly, the RPM feedback, the load feedback, the At Speed signal, and the At Zero signal will include data from all spindles in the group.

Parameters

By default, the gang can include up to three spindles. To add additional spindles to the gang, new parameters must be created and appropriately named.

Composite Control Parameters

  • Gang Spindle Enabled: controls if the group control is active
    • Yes: gang control is active
    • No: gang control is not active
  • Control Source: sets if the commanded speed comes from the main spindle control or an auxiliary spindle control
    • Mach: the main spindle control, controlled by an S word, or from input on the screen. The commanded speed will be written to the Gang Spindles commanded RPM register as well.
    • Auxiliary: an alternative spindle control, where the commanded speed will be read from the Gang Spindles commanded RPM register. This register can be mapped to other parameters or populated manually.
  • Composite RPM Feedback Target: selects where the RPM feedback from all spindles will be reported
    • Mach: the main spindle feedback, which is displayed on the screen. Feedback will also be written to the Feedback_RPM register under the Gang Spindles device
    • Auxiliary: the feedback is written to the Feedback_RPM register under the Gang Spindles device
  • Composite method for RPM Feedback: determines how the RPM feedback from the individual spindles are compiled into a single value
    • Average: all feedbacks are averaged together
    • Max: the maximum value is used for feedback
    • Min: the minimum value is used for feedback
  • Composite method for Load Feedback: determines how the load feedback from the individual spindles are compiled into a single value
    • Average: all feedbacks are averaged together
    • Max: the maximum value is used for feedback
    • Min: the minimum value is used for feedback


gangspindle_params.png

Spindle Parameters

The gang spindle control needs to know how to interact with the individual spindles. By default, the gang can include up to three spindles. To add additional spindles to the gang, new parameters must be created and appropriately indexed.

  • Spindle At Speed Input: an I/O point that indicates if this spindle has reached the target velocity. If unmapped, the control will assume this spindle is always at speed for it's calculations.
  • Spindle At Zero Input: an I/O point that indicates if this spindle is at zero speed. If unmapped, the control will assume this spindle is always at zero speed for it's calculations.
  • Command RPM Register: this register is where the control will write the current commanded RPM; this should be the register that the spindle will read for it's commanded speed. If unmapped, this spindle will not receive a commanded RPM with the rest of the group and will not be included in any feedback calculations.
  • Spindle Engaged Input: for gang spindles that can remove individuals from the group, this parameter should be mapped to an I/O point that indicates if this spindle is currently part of the group. If the parameter is not mapped, then the spindle will always be part of the group.
  • Spindle Forward Output: an I/O point that will send the spindle in the forward direction.
  • Spindle Reverse Output: an I/O point that will send the spindle in the reverse direction.
  • Feedback RPM Register: this register is where the control can read the current feedback RPM from the individual spindle. This value is used for calculating the composite feedback RPM of the entire gang.
  • Feedback Load Register: this register is where the control can read the current feedback load from the individual spindle. This value is used for calculating the composite feedback load of the entire gang.
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