CNC

Technical
Brief

Spindle Control 0/16/18/21 Series

Analog Spindle Setup

Introduction
This document discusses the Analog Spindle setup for the Series 0/16/18/21. It does not attempt to
cover all the details of spindle control. It is intended to demonstrate the standard method of controlling
one spindle.

RPM Command
1
When using an analog spindle with a Series 0 control, you need the S4/S5 Analog option . On the
16/18/21 series controls, you need the Analog Spindle option. This option receives the commanded S
Code, compares it to control parameter settings, and outputs the proper spindle command voltage. The
2
S Code is not output to the PMC side , all calculations are conducted in the CNC side of the control.

Constant Surface Speed

Constant Surface Speed control (G96) allows the programmer to specify a surface speed in feet/min.
The spindle will then slow down or speed up, based on the movement of the X-Axis to keep the same
surface speed at the cutting tool tip. From Equation 1, you can determine that, as the radius decreases,
the RPM will increase, and, when the tool tip goes to the center of the part (radius = 0), the spindle RPM
will attempt to go to infinity.

RPM
X-Axis Equation 1:
Surface Speed = 2π RAD x RPM
RAD
Surface Speed

To prevent the spindle from overspeeding, a maximum RPM is set by the program using a G92 Sxxxx
(G50) command. The programmer uses the G96 command to turn on the CSS mode. While CSS mode
is active, any S commands will be read as surface feet/min commands. G96 mode is canceled by G97.
In the Series 0/16/18/21 controls, the calculations of spindle speed are handled by the CNC side of the
control. This feature requires the Constant Surface Speed option.

1
This option requires an analog spindle control chip. It is physically located on the backplane.
2
The basic Series 0 software includes an S2 feature. This allows the programming of a 2-Digit S Code
that is output to the ladder. It is not commonly used. The Series 16/18/21 have binary S Code output to
the ladder, but that will not be discussed here.

GE Fanuc Automation N.A., Inc.

07/21/00 FANUC
This Application Note is intended for general informational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified technician who is familiar with a specific
control application and who has reviewed the hardware and software to determine safe operation and suitability of purpose. While efforts have been made to be accurate, the
information contained herein does not purport to cover all details or variations in hardware or software, nor to provide for every possible contingency with respect to installation,
operation, or maintenance. This Application Note is based on information available at the time of its publication which is subject to change, and GE Fanuc Automation assumes no
obligation of notice to holders of this document with respect to changes subsequently made. GE Fanuc Automation makes no representation or warranty, whether express, implied,
or statutory, with respect to, and assumes no responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness, sufficiency, or usefulness of the information contained herein, and disclaims any liability
of any kind whatsoever for any claims arising from its use. No warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose shall apply.
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T Type Gear Selection

A lathe control (T) typically uses T-Type gear selection. When multiple gear ranges exist, the
programmer selects the proper gear using an M Code and then programs a spindle RPM with an S Code.
The CNC then uses this information to calculate a command voltage and outputs it to the spindle drive.
The PMC tells the CNC which gear is selected by setting GR1 and GR2 according to the following chart.

Gear Selection GR2 GR1

1st Gear 0 0
2nd Gear 0 1
3rd Gear 1 0
4th Gear 1 1

M Type Gear Selection

The Machining Center control (M) typically uses Automatic gear selection. This allows the programmer to
specify only a spindle speed in his program. The CNC reads the spindle speed and compares it to speed
ranges set by parameter. It then sends the gear to be selected to the PMC and outputs the voltage to the
spindle drive. The programmed speed to selected gear relationship is illustrated by the following figure.

One point to note is that all maximum spindle speeds for each gear range are calculated based on the
speed when 10V is output. If the spindle drive/motor achieves maximum motor speed at 8V or if the
gearbox maximum speed is less than the motor top speed, you should limit the output with the Spindle
Motor Output Upper Limit parameter.
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Parameter Setting
The following chart shows the basic analog spindle parameters for T-Type gear selection.

Description 0 16/18/21 Remarks

Position Coder Gear Ratio 0003 #6,#7 3706 #0,#1
Command Voltage Polarity 0013 #6,#7 3706 #6,#7
Analog Output Gain Adjustment 0516 3730 Normally set to 1000
Analog Output Offset Adjustment 0539 3731
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 1 540 3741 Spindle Speed (RPM) in Gear 1 at 10V out
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 2 541 3742 Spindle Speed (RPM) in Gear 2 at 10V out
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 3 542 3743 Spindle Speed (RPM) in Gear 3 at 10V out
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 4 543 3744 Spindle Speed (RPM) in Gear 4 at 10V out
Minimum CSS Clamp Speed 3771
Maximum CSS Clamp Speed 3772
Allowable digits in S-Code 3031

The following chart shows the basic analog spindle parameters for M-Type gear selection.

Description 0 16/18/21 Remarks

Position Coder Gear Ratio 0028 #6,#7 3706 #0,#1
Command Voltage Polarity 0013 #6,#7 3706 #6,#7
3
Gear Switching Method 0035 #6 0037 #2 Method A or B
Gear Selection Type4 - 3706 #4
Analog Output Gain Adjustment 0516 3730 Normally set to 1000
Analog Output Offset Adjustment 0577 3731
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 1 541 3741 Spindle Speed (RPM) in Gear 1 at 10V out
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 2 539 3742 Spindle Speed (RPM) in Gear 2 at 10V out
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 3 555 3743 Spindle Speed (RPM) in Gear 3 at 10V out
Spindle Motor Output Upper Limit 542 3736
Spindle Motor Output Lower Limit 543 3735

3
This document only discusses Method A. For a discussion of Method B, consult the Connection
(Function) Manual for your particular control.
4
The Machining Center controls (M) can use M- or T-Type gear selection based on this parameter
setting. In both the 0-M and 16/18/21-M controls, when Constant Surface Speed option is present, the
gear selection method is T-Type regardless of parameter settings.

FANUC
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PMC Interface
This section discusses the PMC signals required to make the spindle run.

PMC Output Signals (G-Bits)

Signal Name 0 16/18/21 Description

*SSTP G120 #6 G029 #6 Spindle Stop, must be 1 to run
SAR G120 #4 G029 #4 Spindle Arrival, set to 1 when up to speed
SPA G103 #3 - Spindle Override Signal 1
SPB G103 #4 - Spindle Override Signal 2
SPC G103 #5 - Spindle Override Signal 3
SPD (T only) G103 #2 - Spindle Override Signal 4
SOV0 - SOV7 - G030 Spindle Override
GR1 G123 #2 G28#1 Gear Range Signal 1
GR2 G123 #3 G28#2 Gear Range Signal 2
SIND G125 #7 G33#7 Set 0 CNC controls spindle, Set 1 PMC controls spindle

PMC Input Signals (F-Bits)

Signal Name 0 16/18/21 Description

ENB F149 #4 F001 #4 Spindle Enable, 1 when command voltage is output from CNC
CSS - F002 #2 CSS control is in progress

For detailed descriptions of the signals, consult the Connection (Function) Manual for your control type.

Example

16-T control on a lathe

5
1:1 Gear Ratio
6000 RPM spindle motor
GE Fanuc S Series Spindle Drive
First Gear 2:1
Second Gear 1:1
CSS Option Specified
1024 Spindle Encoder connected 1:1 to spindle

5
I have chosen not to demonstrate gear switching in my examples because it is a highly machine-
dependent function.
Page 5 of 8

Applicable Spindle parameter settings:

Description Parameter Setting

Position Coder Gear Ratio 0037 #0,#1 0,0
Command Voltage Polarity 3706 #6,#7 0,0
Analog Output Gain Adjustment 3730 1000
Analog Output Offset Adjustment 3731 0
Maximum Spindle Speed (RPM) Gear 1 3741 3000
Maximum Spindle Speed (RPM) Gear 2 3742 6000
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 3 3743 0
Maximum Spindle Speed Gear 4 3744 0
Allowable digits in S-Code 3031 4

PMC Output Signal (G-Bit) settings:

Signal Name G-Bit Settings

*SSTP G029 #6 Set to 1
SAR G029 #4 Set to 1 when motor up to speed
SOV0 - SOV7 G030 Depends on Override Switch Selection
GR1 G28 #1 Set to 0 or 1 (Gear 1 or Gear 2 Selected)
GR2 G28 #2 Set to 0
SIND G33 #7 Set to 0 (CNC Control)

This ladder segment is designed to demonstrate the minimum signal control required to command an
analog spindle. Additional logic would be required to decode M03/M04/M05, check up-to-speed, etc. It is
not to be used for any other purpose, nor should it be distributed separately from this document.
R9091.0 and R9091.1 are system bits. R9091.0 is always off and R9091.1 is always on.

FANUC
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FANUC
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Related Manuals

16-B Connection (Function) Manual GFZ-62443E-1

16-B Parameter Manual GFZ-62450E
16-TB Operators Manual GFZ-62444E
16-MB Operators Manual GFZ-62454E

0-T Parameter Manual GFZ-61400E

0-M Parameter Manual GFZ-61410E
0 Connection (Function) Manual GFZ-61393E-2
0 -T Operators Manual GFZ-61394E
0-M Operators Manual GFZ-61404E