Renishaw NCi-6 User manual

#renishaw
NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface
www.renishaw.com/nci-6
Installation guide

Compliance information for this product is available by scanning the QR code or visiting
www.renishaw.com/mtpdoc

i
www.renishaw.com/nci-6
Contents
Before you begin ...................................................................1-1
Warranty ...........................................................................1-1
CNC machines ......................................................................1-1
Care of the interface ..................................................................1-1
Patents ............................................................................1-1
Intended use........................................................................1-1
Safety .............................................................................1-2
Information to the machine supplier/ installer..........................................1-2
Information to the equipment installer ...............................................1-2
Equipment operation ............................................................1-2
WARNINGS ...................................................................1-2
Specication ........................................................................1-3
NCi-6 basics .......................................................................2-1
Introduction.........................................................................2-1
Power supply .......................................................................2-1
Input / output over-current protection ....................................................2-1
NCi-6 interface unit (top face)...........................................................2-2
NCi-6 interface unit (bottom face)........................................................2-2
NCi-6 top label ......................................................................2-3
NCi-6 bottom label ...................................................................2-3
Connectors CN1 and CN2 .............................................................2-4
Interface LEDs ......................................................................2-5
Interface LED states.............................................................2-5
Status LED ....................................................................2-5
Pulse width LED................................................................2-5
Auxiliary relay status LED ........................................................2-5
Mode LEDs: (Tool set 1, Tool break, Latch and Tool set 2)................................2-5
Interface LEDs – status LED ......................................................2-6
Switches ...........................................................................2-7
Switch locations ................................................................2-7
IMPORTANT: Setting a switch.....................................................2-8
Switch bank SW1 ...............................................................2-8
Switch bank SW2 ...............................................................2-8
Switch bank SW3 ...............................................................2-9
SSR2 output selections ...............................................................2-9
SSR2 type 1 and SSR2 type 2.....................................................2-9

ii NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface
System installation..................................................................3-1
Operating modes ....................................................................3-1
Tool set mode 1 ................................................................3-1
Tool set mode 2 ................................................................3-1
High-speed tool breakage detection.................................................3-1
Latch mode....................................................................3-1
Mode selection ................................................................3-1
Pulse width setting ..............................................................3-2
Tool set mode 1 (without drip rejection) ..............................................3-2
Tool set mode 1 (with drip rejection).................................................3-3
Tool set mode 2 ................................................................3-3
Dimensions and mounting arrangements..................................................3-4
Wiring .............................................................................3-5
Connecting to the NC unit ........................................................3-5
Connecting to the CNC ..........................................................3-6
Controlling the laser of an NC unit ..................................................3-7
Sharing the skip with an auxiliary probe..............................................3-8
Controlling the air supply to an NC unit ..............................................3-9
Maintenance .......................................................................4-1
NCi-6 maintenance...................................................................4-1
Parts list ..........................................................................5-1

1-1
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Before you begin
Warranty
Unless you and Renishaw have agreed and signed a separate written agreement, the equipment and/or
software are sold subject to the Renishaw Standard Terms and Conditions supplied with such equipment
and/or software, or available on request from your local Renishaw ofce.
Renishaw warrants its equipment and software for a limited period (as set out in the Standard Terms
and Conditions), provided that they are installed and used exactly as dened in associated Renishaw
documentation. You should consult these Standard Terms and Conditions to nd out the full details of your
warranty.
Equipment and/or software purchased by you from a third-party supplier is subject to separate terms and
conditions supplied with such equipment and/or software. You should contact your third-party supplier for
details.
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
EP 1502699
EP 2152469
JP 4520240
US 7312433
US 9040899
Intended use
The NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface is used in conjunction with NC4, NC4+ or NC4+ Blue non
contact tool setters. The NCi-6 unit converts signals from the non-contact tool setter into voltage-free,
solid-state relay (SSR) outputs for transmission to the CNC machine control.

1-2 NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface: Before you begin
Safety
In all applications involving the use of machine tools or CMMs, eye protection is recommended.
Information to the machine supplier/ installer
It is the machine supplier’s responsibility to ensure that the user is made aware of any hazards involved in
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 UK, EU 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.
Equipment operation
If this equipment is used in a manner not specied by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.
WARNINGS
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specied 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 specied by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.

1-3
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Specication
Absolute maximum supply
voltage
11 Vdc to 30 Vdc
Maximum rated current 0.5 A
SSR contact ratings ±50 mA pk
±30 Vdc pk
Protection provided by enclosure IP20 BS EN 60529:1992+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).

1-4 NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface: Before you begin
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2-1
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NCi-6 basics
Introduction
CNC machine tools using Renishaw NC4, NC4+ or NC4+ Blue non-contact (NC) units 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 qualied 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 IEC 62368-1.
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:
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 NC unit is protected by a resettable current protection circuit.

2-2 NCi-6 non-contact tool setting interface: NCi-6 basics
NCi-6 interface unit (top face)
NCi-6 interface unit (bottom face)
Top face interface label
Diagnostic LEDs
Connector CN1
(10-way)
Connector CN2
(15-way)
Removable cover
Bottom face interface label