All, Dave and I purchased a BCAM 3 spindle CNC Router 4’x8’ work area last November. It is <3 years old, China made/imported. We watched it execute a job in-person before purchasing so it is fully capable of running. We are at wit’s end getting this table up and running!
Two areas we need advice, consulting (we are willing to pay, or trade for time on our equipment*) or even just pointing in the right direction to find help:
Electrical connection: the BCAM is 3 phase, has a dual dust collector setup, and a separate cooler. We do have a 3 phase converter, but it is not the same set up at the CNC. (I don’t remember if it is Y and we need Delta or vice-versa. Dave is the one that can answer those questions specifically.)
AutoRich parameter setup: we can get spindle 1 homed, but cannot get the software/hardware to recognize spindles 2 and 3. We did have to reload software after moving the CNC, so original settings were wiped. The AutoRich version is A15 (NOT A11 OR A18).
Any experts or experts you can refer us to would be more than appreciated!
These are the places I’ve already exhausted: BCAM customer service, previous owner, google, YouTube, Laguna CNC(they use AutoRich), facebook, reddit, twitter, Sawmill Creek Woodworking, Woodweb, Plywood of Ft Worth, LinkedIn/Slideshare, then I went dark web and dug up a bit more via Alibaba and a few other China-based sites. We found one local person, but he was not proficient on A15/multiple spindle systems.
*As you can imagine, it is tough having this great resource sitting in our shop, not able to be used. If you have expertise and can work with us through this, we would also be open to trade for time on our equipment: 2-post/10k lb lift, standard woodshop equipment, plasma and regular welders, and an Epilog FusionPro 48 laser. We also have a fairly extensive supply of slab wood if that would entice the right person who could help. I will PM you with email / phone if you can help!
I’m assuming you have power for the controller hooked up as 240v single phase, and what you can’t hook up is the 3 phase spindle drives?
What power do you have in the shop, what are the details on the phase converter, and is there any sort of nameplate on the router with more information?
I should say, I’m asking because I’m curious. The real answer to hooking up large electrical loads is that you should get an electrician involved.
I recommend you contact @Chris_Wischkowsky. He calls himself “the last person called when all others give up” for such machinery. I will also send you a PM with his contact info.
Good questions–Dave has done an extensive amount of wiring, plumbing and construction on the house and shop, and is currently working on a solar power project for wood drying. He is tied up with his job so I’ll need to get back to you with answers.
Didn’t see this post until now. I have had some experience with Chinese CNC machines, usually with Mach 3. I also was a tech for MultiCam. I started by looking at richauto.com.cn for manuals. If they are like most CNC machines each spindle has its own VFD either controlled remotely or serially, I’m only familiar with MultiCam controllers but most of them work in similar ways. I could also try contacting richauto directly with my friend translating. Unfortunately, I’m busy with Battlebots until mid October but I could spend sometime maybe to check out the machine.
I would try figuring out the power requirements first, they may need a Y configuration with a neutral, but I’m not an electrician
The wiring is correct, the spindles will switch between tools, and turn (but not at full RPM). I get the impression that there is a setting that I’m missing (communication between the RichAutoA15 controller and the Delta VFD-M).
