Auto-On Dust Collection when Spindle is Turning.

[chrisn]

This may already be addressed somewhere. If so, I apologize and please just supply a link.
Otherwise, I am trying to think of a way to have the dust collection system auto start when the spindle is on. Then Auto turn off when the spindle is off.


I'd think a simple relay switch would do the trick but that is where my knowledge ends.

Any ideas... BTW my dust collection system is 120V.
Thanks
Chris

[dans]

I opted for a foot switch instead of an auto-on function - this one works well for me:

MLCS 9089 Billy Pedal - about $40 on eBay. (Step on the pedal once for on and once for off, they also sell the same pedal as a 'deadman', i.e., you have to keep your foot pressing on it for it to power your vacuum).

Not particularly heavy duty, but I've been running it for over a year with no problems.

Dan

[traindriver]

It's a little convoluted, but you COULD mount a normally closed limit switch on your Z axis so that once the Z axis goes down so far (to start routing), it is off the switch, and energizes a relay to turn on your dust collector. Depending on the amp draw of the dust collector, you may be able to get away with just using the limit switch.

[grg]

I would be really surprised if there isn't an "enabled" signal that is accessible from of the VFD that powers the spindle.  At the very least, it would be possible to piggyback off the signal from the processor that tells the VFD to run.  This is something I'll be working on in the next couple of weeks as I extend my dust collection system to the router.  I'll post details when I get to that point.

[savannahdan]

I use a small remote clipped to my belt loop to activate my dust collector. That way I can use it for other machines. I usually keep it on a hook at the entrance to my workshop, same as hearing and breathing protection. That way I'm geared by habit to grab them for my woodworking sessions. Yes, I do wear the breathing protection even with dust collection units on.

[chrisn]

So the reasoning behind the spindle on/off activation is so when I leave the machine alone. When the routine finally ends the dust collector doesn't keep going until I figure it out. It's sort of a dual purpose. Not excessively running the 1.5 HP dust collector unnecessarily and an indicator that the routine has ended. The spindle is a;ll but silent compared to the dust collector.
Before anybody gets overly concerned about me leaving the machine alone I start to gain trust after the fist couple are good.
Hmm that another thread....

[Deleted]

You can use a master/slave current sensing switch like this:

www.rockler.com/i-socket-110m-tool-and-vacuum-switch

Or a remote control switch like this:

www.fastcap.com/product/remote-control-vacuum

[rick cook]

Trying to get in touch with full member Train Driver who I saw in another post lives in Augusta. I live about an hour west of there on I-20 and would like to see his machine and learn a few tips and tricks before I actually make the plunge to order mine.

[Deleted]

Jun 12, 2018 22:05:50 GMT -5 rick cook said:

Trying to get in touch with full member Train Driver who I saw in another post lives in Augusta. I live about an hour west of there on I-20 and would like to see his machine and learn a few tips and tricks before I actually make the plunge to order mine.

Send him a private message.

[grg]

Apr 26, 2018 11:27:09 GMT -5 chrisn said:

So the reasoning behind the spindle on/off activation is so when I leave the machine alone. When the routine finally ends the dust collector doesn't keep going until I figure it out. It's sort of a dual purpose. Not excessively running the 1.5 HP dust collector unnecessarily and an indicator that the routine has ended. The spindle is a;ll but silent compared to the dust collector.
Before anybody gets overly concerned about me leaving the machine alone I start to gain trust after the fist couple are good.
Hmm that another thread....

I haven't yet gotten into this on my machine yet but it's coming.  I did, however, have a consideration to consider.  The coolant pump cycles on and off with the spindle enable and it's powered from a small typical wall outlet power supply (presumably from 220V AC).  You could rig up a relay off that 220V power to the 12V power supply or off the 12V power itself that cycles the coolant pump.  That's how I plan to make mine work...but in natural fashion for me, it will be a little more complex ;-).  I'm hacking a relatively low cost remote control setup (Amazon) with a small arduino processor that will mount inside the enclosure to monitor that 12V signal and send the RF signal to the dust collector receiver to turn the dust collector on/off.  That gives me the flexibility to move the machine without fret for the signal wiring.

[chrisn]

Ahhh. Yes. I like the idea of my relay working off the 12V Pump. Great idea!!
Please keep me posted if you beat me to it.
Thanks!
Chris

[grg]

I finally got my auto-on dust collection system working. It's a bit more...errrr...complex than it probably needs to be. I used an Arduino uno processing board to program the sequencing and bought an accessory style remote control system from Amazon (two remotes and a 12V dc receiving unit with a 110V power supply). I powered the arduino with a 9V power supply that I tapped off of the 220 switched power inside the control box of the Axiom. I then cracked open one of the two remote control fobs and wired in the input wires where they bridge the pushbutton and the battery circuit in the fob. I built the arduino board with a simple transistor circuit to take the 12v signal to the coolant pump power supply and use that as the on/off signal.  The transitor is just a simple relay to separate the voltages - it reads the 12v from the pump power supply but uses the 5V from the arduino board to actually switch the input on/off.  The fob is powered from the small 5V power supply that's onboard the arduino uno itself. I did find, however, that the onboard 5V power supply didn't have much power at all and if the program left the remote fob powered up for more than roughly 4 tenths of a second, it would pulse the start/stop signal to the dust collector as it cycled between running out of power and recovered. The dust collector would go on and off really fast and get out of sequence. I bought parts to build a secondary 6v power supply on that little circuit board but decided to try switching the on time for the remote fob to 200ms and that seems to have fixed the issue.

As far as the dust collector goes, I have two wall mounted light switches. One is illuminated red and that powers up the system. The second is a manual on for the dust collector. I have a remote that I carry, the remote in the CNC, and Alexa voice integration with a smart outlet inside the control box for the dust collector (I can utter "Alexa, turn DC on" and "Alexa, turn DC off" to cycle the dust collector in the shop as well). It's just a little more complex than really needed but it works great.

[gerry]

Nice job. With the Arduino you can add colored flashing lights....

[jcwoodworking]

I use one of these for my dust collector

iVAC PRO SWITCH HP PACKAGE WITH REMOTE AND MRT FEATURE (MINIMUM RUN TIME) www.amazon.com/dp/B077JBGSGY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3.41Bb8M0Q7Y7

Then put on of these on the cable that powers the spindle

iVAC Pro Tool Plus Tool Sensor www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJ2090A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yb51Bb5TBPAMB

Turns the dust collector on when the spindle powers up, and shuts it off when the spindle turns off. Works perfectly