Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => Third party software and hardware support forums. => Topic started by: LowryIndustries on May 26, 2010, 01:40:44 AM
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This one will be a teaser!
I am using Dared's BOB on a Bridgeport Series II CNC Mill.
I remedied my previous problem and got down the road to a new problem.
The EStop on the mill and in software works just fine. Also the spindle stops and starts like a champ.
But no axle movement at all. None of the axis jog, or move while running a program.
MaxCL is enabled.
I think the problem lies in a setting in the software related to MaxCL. For some unknown reason Mach3 simply isn't telling the axis to move, or possibly even recognizing any axis at all, given that all the axis are grayed out in Motor Tuning.
Jog is enabled with "continuous" set. The Numlock is off.
I have checked the wiring and it is hooked up right with no breaks.
I am definitely NOT on a limit switch. The mill bed is dead center and moves fine when the original BOSS control is hooked up.
When running a program, it just skims through all axis movements doing nothing, again leading me to believe Mach3 simply doesn't recognize any of the axis.
When the computer is running, here are the status of the LED's on Darek's board The LED numbers correspond 1 to 1 with port pin numbers.
1,3,4,5,7,9,14,16,17 are on (lit)
2,6, and all the input's are off (unlit).
Input #10 is lit when the mill is first turned on, and goes off when the Limit Override button is pressed.
I'm stumped. What would cause Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle just fine?
What do you suggest?
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I always ask silly questions, but why do you have MaxCL enabled ?.
Tweakie
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There is some info here that you may find solves your problem.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,8766.0.html
Tweakie.
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The reason I am using MaxCL is specifically because the installation instructions on Darek's BOB board tells me to.
Nowhere in his instructions does it mentions how to specifically set or enable the axis, just set MaxCL and don't worry about the rest.
Specifically, his instruction states:
"The software must be set to Max CL Mode (This is done under Config, Ports and Pins, Port Setup and Axis Selection.). When the software is in this mode you do not have to configure the motor outputs for the axis (Pins 2-9)."
And that's it. Nothing else at all on setting up the drives.
Now I just received this email from Darek:
"Charles,
The axis have to be enabled X, Y & Z ( They use to come that way, the newest version of Mach 3 may have changed.) The PIN and PORT #'s assignment is automatic with MaxNC CL mode.
Thanks,
Darek"
But no explanation on HOW to enable the axis!
So I guess the question is, how do I enable the axis?
Thanks,
Charles.
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Go to Config/Ports and Pins/Motor Outputs and set the green checks fro each axis.
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Here is another interesting MaxNC-CL thread.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,8766.0.html
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Thanks! That did it!
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Go to Config/Ports and Pins/Motor Outputs and set the green checks fro each axis.
I have a question related to the pinout / associated driver to jog toggle buttons. I just purchased a new to me Sieg KX1 3501 4 axis Mill running Mach3 on windows XP.
I can get it to jog, however I can only do that with what seems like random associations to the jog buttons! Y axis is OK, X axis is only driven by the 4th axis jog button, and the Z axis is driven by the X axis jog button!
I have tried using the pinout as shown in my user manual and those shown in the above image with no luck. It "feels" like, the previous owner has rewired the drivers but I can't understand why someone would do that.
It is a great looking little mill, seems really solid and does not look like it as been abused - on the outside anyway!
Doing a quick search online, I see this mill has been sold a few times recently! Hmmm, I wonder why!
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OK, you have got two possibilities.
1st Jog button assignment is wrong
2nd axis pin assignment is wrong
you can do a little test with MDI input line
if you type in MDI
G91 G1 X2 F5
and press Enter x-axis should move.
you can do this for all four axis.
if the right axis are moving your Jog button assignment is wrong, else
pin assignment in Config -> Ports&Pins -> motor outputs is wrong
if pin assignment is wrong, just swap pin numbers to the right axis.
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Thanks for the reply.
I just tried your suggestions. It is still moving the Z axis under a X command and the x axis under the A command. Y is still OK. When the axis was moving the DRO was showing movement of the commanded, For example, to move the table in the x axis, I commanded "A" (G91 G1 A10 F100) and while the table was moving in X the DRO said A was moving.
I tried assigning the pins again with no change.
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are you using a motion controler?
if yes, witch one? and a link to the documentation of controler would be helpfull.
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I have not started using a motion controller yet. The Mach3 is installed and I have just started in my quest to get the machine up and running using it to start making moves on the machine.
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so if you have no motion controler machine is running via parallel port?
if you swap pin number like shown in attached pic. it must change x and a axis.
!!! you have to use your actual pin numbers, mine are only a example. !!!
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Correct, it is using the serial port from the Mach3 on Windows XP to the Sieg 3501. I have tried changing the pin associations as you described and per the manual I have. Nothing working there yet. I have tried every combination possible for the Z axis - yes, that was time consuming! :-)
I also tried shutting down and restarting Mach3 after assignment changes, no luck there as well.
I am having a friend stop by tomorrow (Electrical Controls engineer here at work) and he will is going to confirm physical wiring is correct. I will let you know how that portion of work goes.
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Good News!
I have the jog buttons associated to the correct axis now!
My guy ended up swapping the wires on the board to match up with the physical movement of the axis. Not sure why this needed to have to happen but now at least when I command the x axis to move it won't ram the Z into the vice!
Still have not figured out the limit switches and getting those to control, that will be next after getting the spindle to stop blowing the 15A fuse!
Making progress!
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I generated some code and ran the mill dry today for the first time! Very cool!
Thanks TPS for your suggestions.