Spindle Axis Overview

A spindle axis is an axis that moves at a constant velocity. Each controller task can control one spindle axis.

Configuring Your Spindle Axis

To use an axis as a spindle axis, configure the parameters that follow. These parameters are in the Configure workspace in Automation1:

• You must set the AxisType Parameter (axis category) to Dependent on your spindle axis.

• The SpindleAxis Parameter (task category) must be set to the axis index that corresponds to your spindle axis. If this is not set, your axis will not act as a spindle axis, and you will get a task error if you try to start motion with spindle commands.

• The SpindleMsoInput Parameter (task category) can be set to Disabled, or it can be configured to use one of your analog input channels on an axis to determine the MSO (manual rotation speed override) percentage.

• Use the DefaultSpindleSpeed Parameter (task category) to a specify a default speed for your spindle axis.

Controlling Your Spindle Axis

After your spindle axis is configured correctly, you must issue M3, M4, M103, or M104 M-Codes to start motion on your spindle axis.

You can control the motion of your spindle axis with M-Codes, G-Codes, and the S commands. See these sections on the G-Code Programming page for more information:

• S Command

• Spindle Configuration and Spindle Motion M-Codes

• Spindle Feedrate Configuration

You can change the MSO percentage value in your AeroScript program with the TaskMso() functions. See the Manual Spindle Rotation Speed Override (MSO) section of the Task and Program Functions page for more information.

Monitoring Your Spindle Axis

You can monitor your spindle axis by getting controller status and collecting controller data in the way you would with other axes in motion. See Get Controller Status and Collecting Data for more information.

The list that follows includes spindle-axis-specific values that you can monitor:

• The SpindleActive bit of the TaskStatus0 task status item or task data signal.

• The SpindleFeedhold bit of the TaskStatus1 task status item or task data signal.

• The MsoChange bit of the TaskStatus1 task status item or task data signal.

• The SpindleSpeedTarget task status item or task data signal.