CNC Spindle Controller With HCPL316

DIY CNC routers are very popular among the hobbyists community these days. Usually these routers are BLDC motors with high RPM levels and high voltages and currents. Getting a proper driver for these spindle motors could be quite expensive. So today we are going to see how to make a spindle motor driver using HCPL316 gate driver IC and the IXGR40N60C IGBT

What is HCPL316?

HCPL316 is an optically isolated IGBT gate driver IC with inbuilt fault and reset capabilities. You can see the physical appearance of the HCPL316 gate driver IC in below image.

Figure 1. — Physical Appearance of HCPL316

Pinout of HCPL316:

HCPL316 comes in a 16 pin SOIC package for better space optimization. You can see the pinout of the HCPL316 gate driver IC in below image.

Figure 2. — Pinout of HCPL316

Let’s see more details the pins of HCPL316 optically isolated gate driver IC

· Pin 1 — VIN+ — Gate drive voltage output control input (Non Inverting)

· Pin 2 — VIN- — Gate drive voltage output control input (Inverting)

· Pin 3 — Vcc1 — Input supply voltage(positive input)

· Pin 4 — GND1 — Ground connection (input)

· Pin 5 — RESET– Fault reset input signal

· Pin 6 — FAULT — Fault output signal

· Pin 7 — VLED1+ — LED 1 anode or positive pin

· Pin 8 — VLED1- — LED 1 cathode or negative pin

· Pin 9 — VEE — Supply output voltage

· Pin 10 — VEE — Supply output voltage

· Pin 11 — VOUT — Gate drive voltage output

· Pin 12 — VC — output collector connection pin

· Pin 13 — VCC2 — Input supply pin 2

· Pin 14 — DESAT — desaturation input signal pin

· Pin 15 — VLED2+ — LED 2 anode or positive pin

· Pin 16 — VE — IGBT common supply voltage

Features of HCPL316:

Here are some of the key features of HCPL316.

· Maximum gate current of 2.5A.

· Maximum collector current of 150A with 1200V collector to emitter voltage

· 500ns Switching time

· Optically isolated fault feedback signal

What is IXGR40N60C?

IXGR40N60C is a N channel IGBT suitable for high current and voltage switching applications. You can see the IXGR40N60C in below given image.

Figure 3. — Symbol of IXGR40N60C

Pinout of IXGR40N60C:

IXGR40N60C comes in TO 220 package as same as most of the power transistors. You can see the pin out of this N channel IGBT in below image.

Figure 4. — Pinout of IXGR40N60C

Let’s see more details the pins of IXGR40N60C N channel IGBT

· Pin 1 — G (Gate) — Gate pin of the IXGR40N60C IGBT this pin controls the current flow from collector to emitter

· Pin 2 — C (Collector) — Collector pin of the IGBT. Usually connected to positive potential.

· Pin 3 — E (Emitter) — Emitter pin of the IXGR40N60C.

Features of IXGR40N60C:

We can identify fallowing features of the GT30F124 IGBT by studying it’s datasheet

· Maximum collector current of 75A

· 600V maximum CE voltage

· 75ns Fast switching

· 2.7V saturated low gate voltage

Basic Circuit Diagram:

You can see the circuit diagram of spindle control circuit in below image.

Figure 5. — Spindle motor controller circuit

Key Components :

We will need the fallowing components to spindle controller circuit.

1.UTSOURCE HCPL316 IC

2. UTSOURCE IXGR40N60C IGBT

3. 0.1uF Capacitor

4. 1N4007 diode

5. 2.2kΩ resistor

6. 100Ω resistor

7. 47kΩ resistor

Tools Needed:

1. Soldering Iron

2. Iron Stand

3. Flux

4. Nose pliers

Step By Step Guide:

Step 1: Arrange the components.

Step 2: Connect the above components according to the circuit diagram.

Step 3: Supply all three voltages to the relevant points.

Step 4: You can use the CNC software to control the speed of the spindle motor

How It Works:

When the correct signal is given to the input of the HCPL316 gate driver IC it will bias the IGBT to flow current through the CE junction enabling the spindle motor connected between 48V.

Conclusion:

We can use this circuit as a DC motor driver as well with a suitable PWM controller.