Section 7: Motor and Sensor Connections¶

This Pro-Build video provides a walk-through of the electronics installation and is supplementary to the written instructions in this section. Be sure to reference the written instructions as they contain the correct cable lengths and sensor installation procedures for your specific machine.

This Pro-Tip video explains how proximity sensors work, what they do, and why they're needed.

7.1 Motor and Sensor Locations¶

7.1.1.1¶

• The depicted axes and sign conventions correspond to Avid CNC's Mach4 configurations.

7.1.1.2¶

• Top down view of motor and sensor(switch) locations.

Plug and Play CNC Control System Previous Revision

Plug and Play CNC Control Systems purchased prior to April 2021 use the nomenclature shown below for motors and proximity limit switches.

7.1.1.3¶

• Motor and sensor locations for Y1 and Y2 axes.

Plug and Play CNC Control System Previous Revision

Plug and Play CNC Control Systems purchased prior to April 2021 use the nomenclature shown below for motors and proximity limit switches.

7.2 Cable Routing¶

7.2.1.1¶

7.2.1.2¶

• Motor cable routing viewed from the back of the machine.

7.2.1.3¶

• Sensor cable routing viewed from the back of the machine.

7.2.1.4¶

• To route cables through the cable track, use a screwdriver to lift open the individual cable track sections as indicated.

7.3 Proximity Sensors¶

Parts and Tools Required¶

7.3.1 Table Sensor Installation¶

7.3.1.1¶

• Prior to installing sensor, attach a straight connector sensor cable.
• Install the sensor as indicated.
• Use this procedure to install the Y1-, Y2-, and Y2+ sensors.

7.3.2 Z-Axis Sensor Installation¶

7.3.2.1¶

• Install the Z+ sensor as indicated.

7.3.3 Gantry Sensor Installation¶

7.3.3.1¶

• Move the Gantry Carriage to the end of the gantry.

7.3.3.2¶

• Thread the X- sensor into the Gantry R&P Plate as indicated.

7.3.3.3¶

• Continue threading the X- sensor clockwise until it touches the sensor flag, as shown.

7.3.3.4¶

• Thread the X- sensor counterclockwise three complete turns.

7.3.3.5¶

• Continue threading the sensor counterclockwise until the X sensor cable (with right-angle connector) can be attached to the sensor with the cable oriented towards the cable track, as shown.

7.3.3.6¶

• Fully tighten the sensor's M12 jam nut.

7.3.3.7¶

• Attach a rubber bumper to the gantry bumper plate as indicated.

7.3.3.8¶

• Repeat the previous step to install a rubber bumper on the other side of the gantry.

7.4 Electronics Enclosure Installation¶

Parts and Tools Required¶

7.4.1 CNC Control System¶

7.4.1.1¶

• At the indicated locations, remove the plastic plugs from the Plug and Play CNC control box.

7.4.1.2¶

• At the locations with the removed plugs, attach a mounting bracket as indicated.

7.4.1.3¶

• Attach the Plug and Play CNC control box to the leg kit as indicated.

7.4.2 Spindle/VFD System¶

7.4.2.1¶

• At the indicated locations, remove the plastic plugs from the Plug and Play Spindle/VFD control box.

7.4.2.2¶

• At the locations with the removed plugs, attach a mounting bracket as indicated.

7.4.2.3¶

• Attach the Plug and Play Spindle/VFD control box to the leg kit as indicated.

7.5 Cable Management¶

Parts and Tools Required¶

7.5.1 Cable Tie Mounts¶

7.5.1.1¶

• Attach a cable tie mount to the riser extrusion as indicated.

7.5.1.2¶

• Repeat this process to attach two additional cable tie mounts at the indicated locations.

7.5.1.3¶

• Use a cable tie to secure the Y- sensor cable and Y motor cable to the cable tie mount.

7.5.1.4¶

• Use cable ties to secure the cables routed from the gantry cable track to the table cable track.

7.5.2 Cable Bracket¶

7.5.2.1¶

• Attach the cable bracket to the electronics mounting bar as indicated.

7.5.2.2¶

• Position the cable bracket between the control boxes as indicated.
• Fully tighten the fasteners.

7.5.2.3¶

• Coil any excess length of cables and hang on the cable bracket.