Altmill Spindle - "Default" vs "H100"

Community Support ❓ Something's Up
1

My AltMill 2.2KW spindle won’t operate if I select “H100” from the drop-down. I thought I had the startup sequence wrong, but I don’t believe so. I typically:

  1. Start Gsender
  2. Power on spindle
  3. Power on SLB (E-stop set)
  4. Release E-stop
  5. Connect to SLB USB in Gsender
  6. Click unlock in Gsender

Upon startup, it has “Default” selected under the Spindle/Laser tab, which works fine. If I choose “H100” from the drop-down, the spindle will not spin. If I leave it at “Default”, all is well.

This is a problem when I’m running my OptLaser setup because when switching back from the laser to the spindle, I can’t choose “Default”, only “H100” is visible in the drop-down list. That makes it impossible for me to run a laser job first and then make cuts with the spindle.

2

@tjpilson Your startup sequence is fine. Which spindle do you have? The Sienci spindle should work with H100. Other brands may not.

3

I’m using the AltMill 2.2KW spindle.

4

Also make sure you have latest firmware of 20260525 Firmware & Flashing - SuperLongBoard since I thought there were some updates relating to spindle selection.

5

Would this article be relevant to you : Spindle stops working when switching from Laser – Sienci Labs

And since it is 6 months old, maybe the firmware upgrade that @DavidB suggests would fix it.

6

Firmware was indeed behind. I’ve now upgraded to the latest for the AltMill SLB-EXT. (20260525) It seems I can switch back and forth between spindle/laser without issue. Thank you!

Note: I’m using the OptLaser setup so my previous configuration was my secondary spindle set to SLB_Laser. It seems that option has been removed in the latest firmware and is now PWM2. (not well documented from what I can tell)