Questions about Mikron Computer Setworks

[rliuts]

Welcome to the Mikron Computer Setworks discussion thread!

This is the place where you can ask any questions you have about installation, usage, and other aspects of Mikron Computer Setworks.

Whether you need assistance with installing the setworks on your sawmill or have specific queries about its features and functionality, we are here to help.

Feel free to post your questions.

We look forward to helping you get the most out of your Mikron Computer Setworks!

Link to the Mikron website!

[trimguy]

Thank you for sponsoring the Forestry Forum. 

[rliuts]

Thank you for sponsoring the Forestry Forum.

Always welcome!

If you have any questions regarding computer setworks - please feel free to ask!

[rusticretreater]

Can you give us a quick run down on power requirements? 

If we need a dedicated generator or upgraded power, we want to know that before we buy.  Is there documentation on the website anywhere?  I didn't find any.

Thx.

[rliuts]

Can you give us a quick run down on power requirements?
If we need a dedicated generator or upgraded power, we want to know that before we buy.  Is there documentation on the website anywhere?  I didn't find any.
Thx.

Hello,

The power supply for the Mikron setworks is 12VDC. You can simply connect it to a 12V battery, so there's no need for a dedicated generator or upgraded power. It's designed to be straightforward and easy to integrate.

I can see that you own the Woodland Mills HM130MAX (written below your post). If this is the sawmill you plan to install the setworks on, you can definitely use the SW-350-PRO with a winch relay. As a bonus, if you mention that you need the winch relay in the comment section of your order, we'll add it as a bonus!

We designed the Mikron computer setworks to control different motors, whether they are DC, AC, hydraulic with electrical valves, electrical winches, etc. For the Woodland Mills HM130MAX, I think the best option would be to use the SW-350-PRO with the winch relay. Plus, if you decide to upgrade to another sawmill in the future, you can easily reinstall the setworks.

The setworks will control the lifting motor (whether it's the original power saw head attachment, an electrical winch, or another DC motor) through the winch relay. We've designed our Mikron setworks to be as easy to integrate as possible, so you should have no trouble getting it up and running.




We are currently working on adding a short instruction manual to the website. In the meantime, you can find some additional information in our blog or check out YouTube video.

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Thanks for sponsoring and joining our community!

[rliuts]

Thanks for sponsoring and joining our community!

 Always welcome! Our company is excited to be a part of this community!

If you have any questions regarding computer setworks, please feel free to ask.

[Ljohnsaw]

My home built mill used a 24v dc wheel chair motor. I've been running it on 12v until this year. It is very slow at 12v. I installed a second battery and a toggle switch to flip between 12 and 24 v. It's a little hard to hit my target at high speed.

So, long introduction to my question. Does your unit have the capacity to switch speeds as it nears the target?

[rliuts]

My home built mill used a 24v dc wheel chair motor. I've been running it on 12v until this year. It is very slow at 12v. I installed a second battery and a toggle switch to flip between 12 and 24 v. It's a little hard to hit my target at high speed.
So, long introduction to my question. Does your unit have the capacity to switch speeds as it nears the target?

Yes, it is possible to control two-speed motors with Mikron Computer Setworks. Our system is designed to change the speed as it nears the target height.

For your application, I recommend the This Model (LINK). This set is capable of controlling two-speed motors and features three relay outputs with dry contacts:

• I think, one relay will control switching between 12V and 24V batteries (or fast/slow speed).  You will need an additional external relay to switch battery voltages.
• Another two relays will control the directional movement for up and down.
  

To assist you further, I need to know how you are currently switching the direction movement of your lifting motor. Do you use a PWM controller, solenoids, a winch relay, or a simple switch for reversing the voltage?

If you can provide the electrical schematics of your sawmill's up/down movement, we can guide you on how to connect the setworks to your system. Please send the schematics to our email:
info@mikronglobal.eu.

Alternatively, you can call us with your questions at:
678-399-1995
Call Hours: 6 AM - 3 PM EST/EDT

The Universal Computer Setworks SW-350-PRO setworks can operate effectively at a moving speed of 1-1.5 in/sec (maybe even more depending on the mechanics of the sawmill) per second. If your speed at 24V is within this range, the SW-350-PRO should work well for your needs.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

[Ljohnsaw]

Thank you for your response. All manual switches. DPDT for direction, SPST momentary "Go" button and a DPDT to included a second battery in series to get 24 v.

I'll have to time the lift speed. Also, when lowering the head, I over shoot so I can creep back up to remove slack in the mechanism. Is that programmable in your system?

[rliuts]

I'll have to time the lift speed. Also, when lowering the head, I over shoot so I can creep back up to remove slack in the mechanism. Is that programmable in your system?

Yes, this feature is enabled by default. You can adjust the distance by which the sawing head overshoots the target height in the settings, or you can turn this feature off entirely.

To measure the lifting speed, time how long it takes for the sawing head to move from 5 inches to 15 inches. The speed can be calculated by dividing 10 inches by the measured time in seconds.


If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[reride82]

I'm curious about this for a Belsaw circle sawmill. This weekend I was struggling to get a reliable reading on my setworks as I tried to cut some rough cut trim for a friend of mine. I spent a lot of time measuring with a tape measure to get the pieces I'd need accurately cut. Most of what I cut doesn't matter if I'm only within an 1/4 of inch, but this stuff I wanted sub 1/8th of an inch. Since a Belsaw is lighter duty, I could probably fabricate a winch motor to power the headblocks, but it sounds like your generic controller would work to control the motor. How does your sensor connect to the mill and get its reading along the travel of the sawmill? It appears it measures how far it's internal cable is retracted. 

Levi

[rliuts]

I could probably fabricate a winch motor to power the headblocks, but it sounds like your generic controller would work to control the motor. How does your sensor connect to the mill and get its reading along the travel of the sawmill? It appears it measures how far it's internal cable is retracted. 

If I understood your questions correctly.

Yes, the sensor measures the displacement of the head post cable that is retracted and pulled into the SPRT-500 sensor.

Yes, Mikron computer setworks will control the motor that positions the carriage for an accurate cut. For this case, I would recommend a hydraulic motor (instead of a winch motor) with electrical valves for positioning the carriage. 

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[fluidpowerpro]

I have already purchased your 350 Pro but have not installed it yet.

My current mill uses a cable lift system that is driven by an ATV winch. To adjust the speed of the winch I use a 100 amp PWM speed controller.
My experience with this set up is that if I adjust the speed to a slow setting on the way down, that same setting does not provide enough power to the motor in the up direction. 
Because of that I am constantly adjusting the speed control pot depending on which direction I want to go.

Based on the above experience I was thinking that when I install the 350 Pro, I am planning to use 2 PWM controllers so I can have 2 speed adjustments.
One for the up direction and one for the down direction.

Do you see anything wrong with my logic?
Will this set up cause any unforeseen issues?

Your feedback will be much appreciated.


 

[rliuts]

I have already purchased your 350 Pro but have not installed it yet.
My current mill uses a cable lift system that is driven by an ATV winch. To adjust the speed of the winch I use a 100 amp PWM speed controller.
My experience with this set up is that if I adjust the speed to a slow setting on the way down, that same setting does not provide enough power to the motor in the up direction.
Because of that I am constantly adjusting the speed control pot depending on which direction I want to go.
Based on the above experience I was thinking that when I install the 350 Pro, I am planning to use 2 PWM controllers so I can have 2 speed adjustments.
One for the up direction and one for the down direction.
Do you see anything wrong with my logic?
Will this set up cause any unforeseen issues?
Your feedback will be much appreciated.
 

Thank you for purchasing the Mikron computer setworks!

For optimal operation, we recommend setting the PWM controller to approximately 50-70% of the maximum speed or adjusting it to make the sawing head lift/lower at a constant speed range of around 1-1.5 inches per second. This ensures that your sawmill is used effectively and productively. The SW-350-PRO setworks is designed to automatically position the sawing head with precision, eliminating the need to manually set it at a minimal speed for accurate cuts. By using a slightly higher movement speed, you can also improve productivity.

The computer setworks is designed to slightly surpass the target position and then adjust upwards for precise positioning. You may also experiment with running the setworks at the maximum lifting speed of your PWM controller. If you choose to do this, please ensure that the sawing head is not subjected to excessive stress from abrupt stops at high speeds.

Many of our US customers use electrical winches as lifting motors with the SW-350-PRO, and it operates smoothly at full lifting speed.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[fluidpowerpro]

Thank you for your reply. As you mentioned, the reason I needed to go so slow in the down direction was to be able to hit my visual mark. Your unit will eliminate that need. I'll just use a single PWM in my system.