Does the new Centroid EX control system come with a brake for the Z axis? I know from experience that Servos have much less frictional holding force when not powered, and may be OK with a 4 hp spindle, but with the 8hp spindle, I would imagine the Z will drop when powered down without the use of a brake for the Z axis motor.
Yes all EX controls require a brake. We send a simple retrofit kit when you order one.
Going forward all of our Z axes will have an electric brake regardless of whether or not you get steppers or servos
My 4HP CNC Depot stays in place… But, I can easily move it down if the servo is disabled. I’m using ClearPATH servo’s on everything.
Yeah our drag brake has JUST enough resistance to hold the 4hp… but just. That’s why we’re switching to the electric brake.
Hi Eric,
I purchased the EX Conroller last month expecting there to be some sort of braking system. I have been working with Cory and Jack, who have been very helpful. When I was in the process of going over a check list during the purchase of the controller. We spoke about the brake being needed and I was told the servos and the controller were modified to have a programmed braking system. I am already behind on custom jobs that I am supposed to be doing and this machine is replacing my X-Carve. ANy assistance would be appreciated.
If you’re upgrading an Avid machine to EX it comes with a brake kit you add to your Z axis.
I bought the EX Controller for my DIY cnc. Was my control box supposed to be built oriented with the on switch away from me if mounted to the right side?
That is correctly built. If you want the switch on the other side just rotate the box 180 degrees.
Okay thanks.
Would you know why my Y axis is not in sync?
If I am facing my cnc like in this picture, the Y motor goes in the direction I click but the Slave motor is going in the opposite direction.
I can’t seem to figure out how to adjust this? Plus it seems that my z- axis is inverted.
Sorry for all the questions. I understand if I don’t get this figured out this weekend.
If you are using our servo motors we send them pre-programmed and pre-tuned.
Z has it’s own tune, X has a tune and both Y motors have the same tune.
That last bit is important: Both Y motors have the same tune, so they spin in the same direction. On your servo board (it’s the board that’s right behind where all of the 8 pin connections are) there’s a jumper or a dip switch for “Y2 invert”
This is jumped (or turned on) for gantry systems that require one of the Y motors to be reversed.
Since you have a non avid system you need to make sure that you:
A) are using the Y motors on the Y axis (they are labeled when they leave our facility)
B) you have engaged the “Y2 invert” dip switch or jumper on your servo board. Normally we do this for a new machine for you, but since yours was going to a custom machine I’m not sure what our “default” setting is. Definitely worth checking after you confirm that you have the correct motors mounted in the correct places.