Messages

301

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Z axis changes direction incorrectly on rebuild lathe. Mach4 windows 10

« on: April 08, 2019, 02:43:39 PM »

What power supply did you use  for the "Optoisolated IO card"? If unregulated PSU is used, you will need at least 9V preferebly 12V and connect to the other power supply port.

What are the settings on the 8 switches at the CWD556 drivers?
Current must match the motor max. current rating per phase and microsteps should be 0 (200steps/rev) or 4 (800steps/rev) or 8 (1600steps per rev).


8 microsteps (1600steps per rev) is usually used.

302

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Goto Zero issue

« on: April 08, 2019, 06:42:16 AM »

Who supplied the computer and the Motion Control card?
Are you using Parallel port(s) or USB motion Controller or Ethernet Motion Controller? What name & model of the motion Controller?
Are you using steppers or Servo motors?
Are your power supply running at the correct voltage? I thought it only runs on 3-phase 220V or 380V only?
Who setup MACH3 software?

I think you need to mechanically align up, lubricate and even tramp all new machines before use.
Then you need to do motor tuning speed and acceleration within Mach3.
You may have to slow down the machine if rails are not parallel or level.

The go to home routine could be modified to do Z-axis first and the Y and Z and not all together. In the script you can also define the % of the max speed to move.

But before people to help you, please answer the questions I ask first.

303

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Small Text

« on: April 08, 2019, 03:25:29 AM »

Mach4, Small Text on Screen Operator Buttons.
How do I make Button text larger?

See attached png file.

High Resolution Screen 3840 x 2160, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070

Easier to make a global change by changing the windows  screen resolution to one of the following:-
1920:1080
1600:900
1320:768

304

General Mach Discussion / Re: Turning on the relay causes a 'limit switch triggered' error

« on: April 08, 2019, 02:32:39 AM »

I don't really want to keep spending more money on this

Hi
Sorry, may I suggest you scrap your circuit and you buy this proven MACH3 Break Out Board
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MACH3-CNC-5-Axis-Interface-Breakout-Board-For-Stepper-Motor-Driver-CNC-Mill/172256512913?epid=22019898979&hash=item281b49cb91:g:734AAOSwLs9aWaON
for $5.38 + delivery.
It has a built in relay for your spindle, opto isolated inputs for limit switches and buffered IO for the motor drivers.
You will need a 12V-24V PSU for the opto isolated inputs to work.
I have the manual for this card. It works well with MACH3.

305

General Mach Discussion / Re: New to CNC and built my own CNC but now come the questions

« on: April 07, 2019, 09:46:49 PM »

Congratulations for nice construction.
Your ESS, motors and drivers etc are well PREPARED for a future much larger table possibly with wide movable gantry so that heavy 8'x4' or 10'x5' plywood and long hardwood (for huge sign) could remain stationary.
For a large table, consider tensioned "bicycle chain" type design for the x-axis (the longest axis) instead of a ball-screw and BACKLASH will be then mechanically zero and you can even move the gantry easily by just pushing when the motor is off instead of having to slowly turn/crank the ballscrew.

306

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach 3 2.0 problem

« on: April 07, 2019, 06:44:11 PM »

Not enough info for people to be able to effectively help you.

Which OS?
Motion Controller (make & model) or Parallel port?
Kernel speed if using parallel port
Initial setup or sudden failure?
Stepper motor or closed loop servo motor ?
What is your microstepping setting if using stepper.

Anyway,
I suspect your Y-axis MOTOR is problem NOT G540. Motor is underpowered or you are running too fast or (your kernel speed is too low).
If using steppers, your micro-stepping setting could be unrealistic/incorrect.

307

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newbie Question about Mach 3 to 4

« on: April 07, 2019, 01:34:28 AM »

Documented/USER Proven  SUMMARY

                              MACH4      MACH4            MACH4               MACH4
                              Plasma THC   Threading  Backlash Comp           Laser
    
UC300ETH(CNCDRIVE)  NO           NO                YES                 YES
57CNC   (Pokeys)      YES             YES                YES                 YES
PMDX-424                 NO           YES                 NO                 YES
ESS (Warp9)         YES (BETA)   YES                 YES                 YES
Hicon Integra (VITAL)    YES      YES                 YES                 YES


Please correct any mistakes...

308

General Mach Discussion / Re: Newbie Question about Mach 3 to 4

« on: April 06, 2019, 07:08:42 PM »

The PMDX-422 has been replaced by the PMDX-416 which adds opto-isolation to the inputs and allows direct to panel mounting.

309

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Script edit help, M6 and MQTT

« on: April 06, 2019, 04:44:32 PM »

follow this thread

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=36807.10

310

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: script changes not aplied after saving

« on: April 06, 2019, 04:06:02 PM »

restarting Mach4 after changes is always a PROPER thing to do.
Same with Windows, for registry changes, you have to reboot the PC.

Files or settings CURRENTLY in use CANNOT be changed instantly without restarting.

Some changes e.g. setting soft-limits - no restarting is necessary.