Tiny Controls · Own design
TNC-L32 : Two Axis CNC Lathe Controller
TNC-L32 is an offline Lathe Machine Controller with a Handheld Pendant and remote Display, adding a 3rd axis to drive a Servo spindle headstock via Encoder input.
Overview
The TNC-L32 is an offline two-axis controller for a lathe, with an optional third axis to drive a servo spindle headstock directly.
Where a conventional lathe leaves spindle speed to a separate VFD and belt-and-pulley range, the TNC-L32's third axis output can drive the headstock itself as a servo axis — useful for threading and other operations where spindle position, not just speed, has to be coordinated with the other two axes. An encoder input supports feeding spindle speed back from an induction or DC motor-based headstock even where the headstock itself is not servo-driven. A handheld pendant with its own remote display handles jogging and setup away from the panel.
Motor outputs are differential step and direction for a stepper or servo drive per axis, with independent maximum velocity and acceleration on each. Programs load from a USB thumb drive and the machine runs independently of a PC once loaded.
Where the TNC-L32 is the two-axis dotpeen marking member of the range, the TNC-L32 is built for lathe control, with the spindle-headstock axis as its distinguishing feature.
Designed and built by Tiny Controls in India.
Specifications
| Output type | Differential step/direction |
|---|---|
| Opto-isolated inputs | 4 |
| Open collector outputs | 4 24 V relay |
| Program storage | USB thumb drive |
| Additional axis | 3rd axis for servo spindle headstock |
| Encoder input | Supports induction or DC motor headstock |
Questions
Is this the same as your TNC-P32 dot-peen marking controller?
No, different purpose entirely — the TNC-P32 is the two-axis dot peen marking member of the range; this one is built for lathe control, distinguished by its spindle-headstock axis.
Can it control my lathe's spindle position, not just its speed — I need to do threading.
Yes — the optional third axis drives the headstock itself as a servo axis, so spindle position (not just speed) can be coordinated with the other two axes, which is what threading needs.
My headstock is a plain induction motor on a VFD, not servo-driven — will this still work with it?
Yes — the encoder input feeds spindle speed back from an induction or DC motor-based headstock even where it isn't servo-driven.
Does it need a PC connected while it's running?
No — programs load from a USB thumb drive, and the machine runs independently of a PC once loaded.
How do I jog the machine or set it up away from the control panel?
A handheld pendant with its own remote display handles jogging and setup.
Is this a Tiny Controls design?
Yes — designed and built by Tiny Controls in India.