H1 PCB CNC Controller
(3D, Compact, PWM-type current-controlled, Stepping Motor Controller)

Modification: 09.01.2009

H1 CNC controller is a compact and economic electronic unit developed based upon the working principles of Profi2A controller. Because of its concepts, it is able to operate already after connecting relatively few components (power supplies, end positions and motors). The controller is of a three-axes type, and contains the basic inputs and outputs as well as some parts of the digital power supply (its stabiliser and filters. Its power transmission optimised to the motor speed (FET power stage with ultrafast decay) makes possible to reach the adjusted speed value very quickly.

H1 Promo video (wmv, 4.66MB)

Versions:

(Zoom=klikk)

(H1 PCB Test Video, wmv, 12MB)

Main technical specifications (DSP V1.4):

- 3 axes type (3D), Step/Dir system, CNC controller, for stepping motors,
- Unipolar, 2 phases stepping motor driving (FET power transmission with ultra fast decay),
- Half-step method,
- Power stabilisation by controlled PWM method (by the use of DSP* algorithm),
- PC communication by standard two-way Centronics printer port (LPT),
- Motor current adjustment for each axis by the means of a potentiometer trimmer,
- Motor current controll range of 0.1A - 4.7A /phase, for constant motor power,
- Maximum motor power supply: 50V,
- Maximum tuning factor: max. 25-fold (depending on the inductivity of the  motor),
- Automatic control of the motor current in the holding path (by software),
- envelop with a sinusoid-type current control, so that the active motorresonance could be reduced,
- Holding-path torque, which can be adjusted in 3 stages during Setup,
- Easy to take it into operation (Jumper Setup),
- "silent" PWM mode selectable,
- Stepping power is over 35000 Steps/sec for each axis,
- Independent DSP signal processing for each axis (3 independent high speed controlling with  constant torque),
- Complex display by LEDS for each axis (Setup statuses),
- Automatic FET's transmission diagnostic (POST),
- 1 relay output (max. 230V, 3A),
- 5 pieces Schmitt-trigger type input forwarded toward the PC  (for processing by the means of software),
- ICP connection for each axis (Firmware/DSP update possibility),
- Optimised algorithm for Mach2 & 3,
- Excellent cooling,
- Increased interference and noise protection,
- Two-side, metallized, partly SMD mounted PCB,
- WinPC-NC software compatible.

*DSP= Digital Signal Processing .

(SMD mount)

General description:

(Controller in-case-built-in)

H1 CNC Controller can be used to control machines with 1, 2 or 3 axes (it is not necessary to work with all three axes at a time). The paralell connection of 2 pieces NOT recommend!

The motors driven by the controller can be 2 phase and unipolar type (with 5, 6 or 8 terminals).

(motor connect)

To run the controller, a power supply with two output voltages are necessary:

I. An output voltage of 9-15V DC, filtered at least with a capacitor of 1000uF for the digital circuits (maximum current load: 200mA),
II. A (filtered) DV voltage matched to the stepping motors.

The two kinds of voltage should come from two independent transformers (or at least from independent coils of one transformer). The electric noise made by the motor should not get to the digital supplying voltage.
Neither of the power supplies need to be stabilised, but rectifying (DC) and proper filtering with capacitors is necessary. The system should be fault-protected with fuses.
More can be read about the selection of motors and their power supplies on H1 Tuning.

(power supply for H1 controller)

The new H1 controller can be used with the old power supply (24V) of Profi1.

Driving method:

The control results a constant power and constant torque consequently. The controller depending on the motor (inductivity) can be really easy tuned. The tuning factor is responsible for the biggest possible constant torque range, about which more can be read on H1 Tuning.
At the end of the steppings (following a short dinamic damping) the motors get automatically a reduced excited state (holding path). It is necessary because of holding in fixed position  (the position must be kept even in half stepping position). In the course of keeping in position the motors are in a state of rest, the extent of the excitation, - and so the torque, - can be adjusted by Setup). These values (reductions) can be selected from a preprogrammed set in three stages by the means of a jumper. A holding path current reduction decreases according to the stepping value, so its value changes proportional to the adjustment of the potentiometeer trimmer (%  reduction).

(Holding torque)

Inputs and Outputs:

H1 Controller has 1 potential-independent relay output with operating contact  (MILL terminal). This relay can switch a current of maximum of 230V and 3A. It can be freely used, with the help of a PC CNC software programmes (eg. to start a mill-motor, to switch the heating of the cuttung wire, etc.). It is controlled by PC software programmes (see the possibilities of Mach3 ).
The controller has 5 pieces of Schmitt-trigger-type inputs (connector P7). These inputs are prepared for operating contacts of mechanic type. Any type of microswitch can be connected to them (to switch to the common GND). They can be used as end position switches, for automatic recording of 0 position, for digitalisation, etc. The state of the inputs is procesed by PC software programmes.

PC - H1 link:

The controller communicates with the PC by a two-way printer (LPT) port. As a connection cable a normal (two-way) printer cable (its recommended length is maximum 3 m) can be used. In the BIOS SETUP EPP (or SPP) mode should be selected.
Any kind of CNC controller software can be used, which meets the following requirements:

- Suitable for Step/Dir type axis control,
- Communicates through an LPT port,
- Its bit allocation can be freely adjusted,
- Does not need an outer, so-called impulse generator.

Some of possibly suitable programmes: Mach3 (recomended); Mach2; KCam4; TurboCNC, WinPC-NC, etc.)!

(Mach3 CNC controller software)