Renishaw NCi-6 User manual

Installation and user’s guide
H-6516-8500-01-A
NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface

EN Publications for this product are available by visiting www.renishaw.com/nci-6.
DE Weitere Informationen zu diesem Produkt sind unter folgendem Link
www.renishaw.de/nci-6 abrufbar.
ES Las publicaciones para este producto están disponibles a través de
www.renishaw.es/nci-6.
FR Les documentations pour ce produit sont disponibles en visitant le site
www.renishaw.fr/nci-6.
IT La documentazione per questo prodotto è disponibile visitando il sito
www.renishaw.it/nci-6.
日本語 本製品に関する資料は、www.renishaw.jp/nci-6 からダウンロードいただけます。
CS Dokumentaci k produktu najdete na www.renishaw.cz/nci-6.
中文
(繁體)
請造訪 www.renishaw.com.tw/nci-6 網站以獲得此產品的相關文件檔案。
中文
(简体)
请访问雷尼绍网站以获得此产品的相关文档：www.renishaw.com.cn/nci-6。
한국어 이 제품 관련 자료는 www.renishaw.co.kr/nci-6 에서 확인할 수 있습니다.

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Installation and user’s guide
English
NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface

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i
Trade marks
RENISHAW and the probe symbol used in the
RENISHAW logo are registered trade marks of Renishaw
plc in the United Kingdom and other countries. apply
innovation and names and designations of other
Renishaw products and technologies are trade marks of
Renishaw plc or its subsidiaries.
All other brand names and product names used in this
document are trade names, trade marks, or registered
trade marks of their respective owners.
© 2017 Renishaw plc. All rights reserved.
This document may not be copied or reproduced in whole
or in part, or transferred to any other media or language,
by any means, without the prior written permission of
Renishaw.
The publication of material within this document does not
imply freedom from the patent rights of Renishaw plc.
Disclaimer
RENISHAW HAS MADE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS
TO ENSURE THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT
IS CORRECT AT THE DATE OF PUBLICATION BUT
MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS
REGARDING THE CONTENT. RENISHAW EXCLUDES
LIABILITY, HOWSOEVER ARISING, FOR ANY
INACCURACIES IN THIS DOCUMENT.
Renishaw part no: H-6516-8500-01-A
Issued: 09.2017

ii Before you begin
Warranty
Equipment requiring attention under warranty must be
returned to your equipment supplier.
Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing between
you and Renishaw, if you purchased the equipment from
a Renishaw company, the warranty provisions contained
in Renishaw’s CONDITIONS OF SALE apply. You should
consult these conditions in order to find out the details of
your warranty, but in summary, the main exclusions from
the warranty are if the equipment has been:
• neglected, mishandled or inappropriately used; or
• modified or altered in any way except with the prior
written agreement of Renishaw.
If you purchased the equipment from any other supplier,
you should contact them to find out what repairs are
covered by their warranty.
Changes to equipment
Renishaw reserves the right to change specifications
without notice.
CNC machines
CNC machine tools must always be operated by fully
trained personnel in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Care of the interface
Keep system components clean.
Patents
Features of the NCi-6 non-contact interface and related
products are subject to the following patents and patent
applications:
CN 100394139
CN 101674918
CN 103286639
CN 1202403
CN 1660541
EP 1050368
EP 1144944
EP 1502699
EP 1562020
EP 2152469
EP 2380698
JP 4520240
JP 4521094
JP 4695808
JP 5587393
TW I473681
TW NI-178572
US 6496273
US 6635894
US 6878953
US 7053392
US 7312433
US 8530823
US 9040899

iii
EU declaration of conformity
Renishaw plc declares that the NCi-6 non-contact
interface complies with the applicable standards and
regulations.
Contact Renishaw plc or visit www.renishaw.com/nci-6
for the full EU declaration of conformity.
WEEE directive
The use of this symbol on products and/or accompanying
documentation indicates that the product should not
be mixed with general household waste upon disposal.
It is the responsibility of the end user to dispose of
this product at a designated collection point for waste
electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to enable
reuse or recycling. Correct disposal of this product
will help to save valuable resources and prevent
potential negative effects on the environment. For more
information, please contact your local waste disposal
service or distributor.
FCC information to user (USA only)
47 CFR Section 15.19
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
47 CFR Section 15.21
The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications,
not expressly approved by Renishaw plc or authorised
representative, could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
47 CFR Section 15.105
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when
the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with this installation guide, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation
of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference, in which case you will be required to
correct the interference at your own expense.
Before you begin
C

iv Before you begin
Safety
Information to the user
In all applications involving the use of machine tools or
CMMs, eye protection is recommended.
Information for the machine supplier
It is the machine supplier’s responsibility to ensure that
the user is made aware of any hazards involved during
operation, including those mentioned in Renishaw
product literature, and to ensure that adequate guards
and safety interlocks are provided.
Under certain circumstances, the probe signal may
falsely indicate a probe seated condition. Do not rely on
probe signals to halt the movement of the machine.
Information to the equipment installer
All Renishaw equipment is designed to comply with the
relevant EC and FCC regulatory requirements. It is the
responsibility of the equipment installer to ensure that
the following guidelines are adhered to, in order for the
product to function in accordance with these regulations:
• any interface MUST be installed in a position away
from any potential sources of electrical noise, i.e.
power transformers, servo drives etc;
• all 0 V/ground connections should be connected to
the machine “star point” (the “star point” is a single
point return for all equipment ground and screen
cables). This is very important and failure to adhere
to this can cause a potential difference between
grounds;
• all screens must be connected as outlined in the
user instructions;
• cables must not be routed alongside high current
sources, i.e. motor power supply cables etc. or be
near high-speed data lines;
• cable lengths should always be kept to a minimum.

v
WARNINGS
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of
procedures other than those specified within this
publication may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
Switch off electrical power to the NCi-6 interface before
carrying out maintenance on non-contact (NC) tool
setting and tool breakage detection products.
CAUTION – Laser safety
The NCi-6 interfaces with Renishaw laser-based non-
contact tool setting and tool breakage detection products.
Laser safety guidelines and safety rules are described in
the appropriate NC tool setting product guides.
If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the
manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment
may be impaired.
Warnings and cautions

vi General information
NCi-6 maintenance
No routine maintenance is required.
Remove dust from the external surfaces with a dry cloth.
Electrical ratings
Absolute maximum
supply voltage
11 Vdc to 30 Vdc
Maximum rated current 0.5 A
SSR contact ratings ±50 mA pk
±30 Vdc pk
Operating conditions
Protection provided by
enclosure
IP20
BS EN 60529:1992+A2:2013
(IEC 60529:1989+A1:1999+
A2:2013).
Altitude Maximum 2000 m (6562 ft)
Operating temperature +5 °C to +55 °C
(+41 °F to +131 °F)
Storage temperature –25 °C to +70 °C
(–13 °F to +158 °F)
Relative humidity Maximum relative humidity
80% for temperatures up to
+31 °C (+87.8 °F) decreasing
linearly to 50% relative
humidity at +40 °C (104 °F).

1
General ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Introduction............................................................................................................................ 3
Power supply .........................................................................................................................3
Input / output over-current protection ....................................................................................3
NCi-6 interface unit (top face)................................................................................................ 4
NCi-6 interface unit (bottom face).......................................................................................... 5
NCi-6 front label ....................................................................................................................6
NCi-6 back label .................................................................................................................... 7
Connectors CN1 and CN2 ........................................................................................................... 8
10-way connector (CN1)........................................................................................................ 8
15-way connector (CN2)........................................................................................................ 8
Interface LEDs ............................................................................................................................ 9
Interface LED states .............................................................................................................. 9
Status LED ............................................................................................................................9
Pulse width LED .................................................................................................................... 9
Auxiliary relay status LED......................................................................................................9
Mode LEDs: (Tool set 1, Tool break, Latch and Tool set 2)..................................................10
Interface LEDs - status LED ..................................................................................................... 11
Switches .................................................................................................................................... 13
Switch locations...................................................................................................................13
Switch settings – SW1.........................................................................................................14
Switch settings – SW2.........................................................................................................15
Switch settings – SW3.........................................................................................................16
SSR2 output selections ............................................................................................................. 17
SSR type 1 and SSR type 2 ................................................................................................ 17
Operating modes ....................................................................................................................... 18
Tool set mode 1 ................................................................................................................... 18
Tool set mode 2 ................................................................................................................... 18
Contents

2Contents
High-speed tool breakage detection....................................................................................18
Latch mode.......................................................................................................................... 18
Mode selection ....................................................................................................................19
Pulse width setting ..............................................................................................................20
Tool set mode 1 (without drip rejection)...............................................................................21
Tool set mode 1 (with drip rejection)....................................................................................22
Tool set mode 2 ................................................................................................................... 23
Dimensions and mounting arrangements .................................................................................. 24
Wiring......................................................................................................................................... 25
NC4 or NC4+ system .......................................................................................................... 25
Connecting to the CNC .......................................................................................................26
Controlling the laser of an NC4 or NC4+ system ................................................................ 27
Sharing the skip with an auxiliary probe.............................................................................. 28
Controlling the air supply to an NC4 or NC4+ system.........................................................29
Parts list ..................................................................................................................................... 30

3
Introduction
CNC machine tools using Renishaw NC4 or
NC4+ non-contact (NC) systems for tool setting or
broken tool detection require an interface unit. The
NCi-6 unit converts signals from the NC unit into
voltage-free, solid-state relay (SSR) outputs for
transmission to the CNC machine control.
The NCi-6 interface unit should be installed in the
CNC control cabinet. Where possible, site the unit
away from potential sources of interference such
as transformers and motor controllers.
CAUTION: Only qualified persons should install
and adjust switches on the interface. Remove
the DC power supply from the NCi-6 unit before
removing the cover.
Power supply
The NCi-6 interface can draw its power from the
CNC machine’s nominal 12 Vdc to 24 Vdc supply.
This must be an appropriate single fault tolerant
power supply which must comply to BS EN 60950-
1:2006+A2:2013
(IEC 60950-1:2005+A2:2013).
General
The supply to the NCi-6 is protected by a 0.5 A
resettable fuse. To reset the fuse, remove the
power then identify and rectify the cause of the
fault.
The nominal current when connected to an NC
unit is as follows:
NC4 or NC4+ 120 mA @ 12 Vdc,
70 mA @ 24 Vdc
NOTE: To disconnect the power supply, remove
the wires from the terminals.
Input / output over-current
protection
Each of the SSR outputs is protected by a 50 mA
resettable fuse.
The auxiliary relay output is protected by a
200 mA resettable fuse.
The NC4 and NC4+ are protected by a resettable
current protection circuit.

4 General
Diagnostic LEDs
Connector CN1
(10-way)
Connector CN2
(15-way)
Removable cover
NCi-6 interface unit (top face)
Top face
interface label

5
Bottom face
interface label
NCi-6 interface unit (bottom face)
General

6 General
NCi-6 front label

7
NCi-6 back label
General

8
10-way connector (CN1)
Connector CN1 is used to connect the
non-contact unit to the NCi-6 interface. The
interface automatically detects which NC unit has
been connected.
Terminals 1 – 2
Used to monitor the signal from the NC4 or NC4+.
Voltage range: 0 Vdc to 9 Vdc.
15-way connector (CN2)
Connector CN2 is used to connect the NCi-6
interface to the CNC machine tool.
Terminal 1
Used to select the pulse width in consideration
with switch SW2-4.
Terminals 3 – 6
This is an auxiliary output that can be used to
control external devices. Devices may include an
LED, a buzzer or an air blast.
This output can also be used with a hardwired
NC4 or NC4+ system to switch the transmitter unit
on/off independently of the receiver.
Alternatively, it can act as a skip-sharing module to
switch between a non-contact tool setting device
and an interface for spindle probing. This output is
fused at 200 mA.
Terminals 7 – 8
This is an SSR output that can be configured to
be either normally open (N.O.) or normally closed
(N.C.). The output is fused at 50 mA.
Terminals 9 – 10
This is an SSR output that can be configured to
be either normally open (N.O.) or normally closed
(N.C.), as well as providing a pulsed, level or
oscillating output. The output is fused at 50 mA.
Terminals 11 – 12
This is used to select the operating mode.
Terminals 13 – 15
This is used to supply power to the interface.
Connectors CN1 and CN2