Possible to use a solenoid for the z axis?

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  • July 18, 2014 at 8:10 am #6439
    contacttodd
    Member

    I just began using the tinyg and really love this hardware! Great job! I have a device that uses a solenoid to control the up or down motion on the Z axis. Is there a way to wire the solenoid to control it with the tinyg? I hate to redesign just to accommodate a stepper motor due to this limitation.

    I appreciate any help you could provide.

    July 19, 2014 at 7:33 am #6440
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    tinyG has outputs (3.3V logic) that control spindle on/off and coolant on/off.
    You could use one of these with an appropriate level shifter circuit to drive your solenoid.
    You would likely have to manually edit your Gcode, perhaps you do that already.

    Or are you looking for a solution driven by Z axis commands?

    July 21, 2014 at 8:44 am #6444
    contacttodd
    Member

    I would prefer to control the Z axis with a solenoid using Z axis commands. I can use a servo if that is more similar to the way this axis should be used. I really just need up/down on this axis and the solenoid is my preferred mechanism. Any suggestions? And thank you for your help!

    July 21, 2014 at 10:28 am #6445
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    I am thinking that interfacing the 50kHz pulse outputs from the stepper driver to a relay will not work well, at least without a bit of added circuitry,

    You might try this:
    Reference tinyG V8 diagram

    Connect a voltmeter to the ‘DIR’ pin input to the stepper driver you have programmed to be the Z axis and see if it follows “Up” and “Down” sense in a useful way as you issue G1 Z0 and G1 Z1 commands.
    You may find you have to latch the sense (perhaps using the enable (active low)) pin; I’m not sure. That dir lead could then be used, with appropriate level shifter circuit, to drive your solenoid.

    July 21, 2014 at 10:54 am #6446
    contacttodd
    Member

    Ok, I will try it. Going back to your original comment, how does one control the spindle output via GCODE? Thanks again for your help on the fine tuning of using the tinyg.

    July 21, 2014 at 11:41 am #6447
    cmcgrath5035
    Moderator

    Spindle on is M03
    Spindle off is M05

    Good reference here:

    July 21, 2014 at 12:12 pm #6449
    alden
    Member

    Alternately you can use the Spindle PWM signal to drive a hobby servo. It’s a 3.3v signal so some external level shifting and/or buffering may be required.

    https://github.com/synthetos/TinyG/wiki/TinyG-Configuration-for-Firmware-Version-0.97#pwm-group-pulse-width-modulation

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