EX Controller & VFD Controller installation - Swapping position?

Build Logs
1

I’m almost done building my CNC but I was wondering if there would be any issue with swapping the position of the EX Controller box location to the back and the VFD Controller location to the front? I’ve look at the rest of the instructions and I can’t find reason why this wouldn’t be possible. All the wiring is long enough to reach their perspective connections.

Has anyone else chosen to do this same thing? I just think with my situation, the cable management is better towards the back of my machine instead of the front.

2

I’ve seen photos of setups where the control boxes are hung on a wall or on a cart holding the controller computer. I would think that you can put them anywhere the cables can reach as long as you make sure that the cooling fans aren’t blocked. Others might have more info…

3

Thanks for the feedback, Garth. I’m OK with them being on the machine, for now.

4

I put my boxes on the opposite side with no problem. Make sure you have enough cable length and you’re good to go.

5

I have my control box on the front left outside, and my spindle control box on the back left inside. This is also where they tell you to put the laser control box, if you had one (I do not). My machine is up against the wall on the right side, so I wanted to keep access and my spindle’s power cable is JUST long enough to reach the wall. I believe the instructions say you can mount on either side, but to be aware of cable lengths and y1 and y2 (motors and limit switches) when you do the software setup.
I personally had some color coded zip ties and a spreadsheet that I kept track of which cable went where. That may help keep you on track.

6

Your setup is a mirror version of what the instructions called for. Therefore, the cable lengths would be identical to both controllers.

The gist I was making, is if anyone had cable length problems if the control boxes were swapped front to back, not left side vs right side. Most of the cables get connected to the EX Controller, which I intend to mount in the back position. It appears that there is plenty of length.

I actually had to read the rest of the installation instructions (after the section about mounting the control boxes) to see if there were cable length issues to components not mentioned up to that point yet.

I appreciate your feedback! Thank you.