Hey guys, I’m sure many of you have been in great anticipation for the close-loop stepper motor option coming for the Vortex Rotary Axis. Here’s a bit of information.
Before we get started, I just want to apologize that we caused some confusion with a number of people, especially new AltMill users, as the current open-loop version that is currently available doesn’t work yet. We should have had some more info ready to share so that people knew what they needed to expect for the Vortex AltMill compatibility. If you haven’t heard from us yet, we’ll be reaching out directly so that you have the support and parts coming so that the Vortex will work with your machine.
Without further ado, below is Daniel’s write-up of what you should know about the Vortex Rotary Axis Close Loop Stepper Update!
A novel feature of the Vortex Rotary Axis kit not seen with any other rotary axis add-ons is the use of a rotary switching module which ‘intercepts’ power going from the motor drivers to the Y-axis motors and instead sends this to the A-axis, allowing for use of an A-axis which would otherwise be impossible with any regular 3 axis CNC controllers such as the original ‘LongBoard’ controller used on the LongMill.
With the release of the new SLB controller used on the LongMill MK2.5, and SLB-Ext controller used on the AltMill, we now have an A-axis specific output. Instead of switching between control of the Y-axis and A-axis, we can now drive both simultaneously and independently.
Please note that if you have a SLB controller, you can put your own motor driver to control the open-loop stepper motor on the Vortex. Resources and instructions for this can be found here.
Since the AltMill uses integrated drivers with the Y-axis motors, it isn’t possible to ‘intercept’ this control of the Y-axis motors, so we aren’t able to use this same rotary switching module. To use the Vortex Rotary Axis with the AltMill, it is therefore necessary to use the A-axis output, along with a motor and driver just for the A-axis.
Going forward, to complement the new capabilities of the SLB and SLB-Ext controllers shipped currently with the LongMill and AltMill users have the option of choosing the ‘Close Loop Motor’ option to pair with their Vortex Rotary Axis kit. This kit will not come with the rotary switching module, but instead with an A-axis closed loop motor and motor cable that will be installed onto the Vortex.
There are several benefits of this new arrangement:
- No more need to toggle between Y-axis control and A-axis control.
- The Y-axis motors stay ‘locked’ during use of the A-axis, preventing any possible drift while cutting rotary axis projects.
- Higher torque at the rotary axis, with the ability to instantaneously self-correct position, should the position of the A-axis slip under cutting load.
- Alarm feedback from the motor to the controller to stop a program if something goes wrong or A-axis position is lost.
- Higher possible speed, and higher possible acceleration of the A-axis, to speed up projects with lots of small detail.
- Simpler wiring with no need to mount a separate switching unit and two extra sets of cables.
- Capability of full simultaneous 4-axis CNC programs, allowing for completely new types of geometries to be machined in one setup.
Vortex with closed loop motor mounted on AltMill
Closed Loop Motor Compatibility
If you’re unsure of the compatibility of your CNC machine and the Vortex Rotary Axis kit, please note which controller you have installed with your CNC machine and refer to the following:
- 30″ and 48″ Open-loop versions of the Vortex Rotary Axis are compatible with the LongBoard controller and SuperLongBoard controller used on the LongMill MK1, MK2, and MK2.5
- 30″ and 48″ Close-loop versions of the Vortex Rotary Axis are compatible with the SLB-Ext controller on the AltMill and SuperLongBoard controller used on the LongMill MK1, MK2, and MK2.5
The closed-loop motor variation of each kit will have a longer delivery time, and it is estimated to ship out sometime between Oct and Nov.
AltMill – Batch 1 Early Adopters
In the haste of production and development of the first batch of AltMill CNC machines, purchases of the original Vortex rotary axis kit and AltMill in combination were possible and shipped out together, meaning some folks received these two kits without complete out-of-the-box compatibility, as a motor driver for the A-axis would be required as described here.
For these few people affected, we’ll be sending out closed-loop motor upgrade kits to upgrade Vortex Rotary Axis kits for full compatibility with the AltMill free of charge. Customers who had placed an order for their AltMill and Vortex before August 15th included in this will receive a confirmation notice by email. If you have placed an order (or two separate orders) including an AltMill and Vortex before this date and do not receive a confirmation of this by September 18th, please reach out to us with your order number to get this sorted out. These will be shipped out in the coming 2-4 weeks.
Kits will also come with an updated 48” extension track section for improved compatibility with the AltMill.
For assembly of this upgrade kit, please refer to the assembly manual sections showing the assembly of the headstock motor mounting, and the wiring instructions.