Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: peterm on November 18, 2011, 03:36:22 AM
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Hello everyone. Great forum you guys have here. I have been reading for a while up to today when I finished putting my machine together and got ready to get it running.
I downloaded Mach3 demo, added the XML file and ran the driver test. Then I followed some instructions and set up Mach3.
So far, no movement at all. First, I am running Mach3 on a laptop. Its an older IBM with a built in printer port. 1.7Ghz, 1GB ram with Windows XP.
My Controller is a TB-6560. Looks like some toshiba parts but made in China.
My printer port is 03BM so I changed that in Mach3. Now when I try jogging I hear a little "clunk" coming from the motor but no movement at all.
Also, the driver test completed all the way but said during the test that the pulse was too fast?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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try swapping the clock and direction signals
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What pins have you set for each axis Step and Direction within Mach ??
Tweakie.
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Tweakie, not sure how to check the direction in Mach3...
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Spent a few more hours but still no luck. There must be power to the motors as they seem to be locked and wont turn freely by hand.
I attached my printer port settings if any one care to take a look. Not sure if that's the problem...
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oops, forgot the files... ::)
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Tweakie, not sure how to check the direction in Mach3...
What settings do you have for Config / Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs ??
Tweakie.
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This is what loaded from my XML file.
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Hi Peter,
Your motor output pins setup and the other settings all look Ok at this stage.
The problem may be with your laptop.
The opto isolators on the 6560 controller board generally require the full 5 Volts TTL and there is a chance that your laptop printer port outputs 3.3 Volt TTL signals which is just not enough.
Is there any chance you could use (borrow) and old desktop PC just to try to see if there is any difference ??
Tweakie.
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Unfortunately I don't have access to a PC. Only Macs around the house. Is there a way to test the voltage?
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Your screen shot shows that your printer port is on 03BC not 03BM..... try both IO ranges in the ports and pins Both 03bc if that doesnt work then try 03be
The clunk your getting is the stepper drives energizing. All that means is that you are getting power to the motors from the drives. It has nothing to do with the computer talking to the controller.
Hello everyone. Great forum you guys have here. I have been reading for a while up to today when I finished putting my machine together and got ready to get it running.
I downloaded Mach3 demo, added the XML file and ran the driver test. Then I followed some instructions and set up Mach3.
So far, no movement at all. First, I am running Mach3 on a laptop. Its an older IBM with a built in printer port. 1.7Ghz, 1GB ram with Windows XP.
My Controller is a TB-6560. Looks like some toshiba parts but made in China.
My printer port is 03BM so I changed that in Mach3. Now when I try jogging I hear a little "clunk" coming from the motor but no movement at all.
Also, the driver test completed all the way but said during the test that the pulse was too fast?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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Hi Peter,
You can measure the voltage on the parallel port (Direction pins only) with a multimeter. Connect the meter between pin 3 and GND (which is pins 18 to 25) then jogging the X Axis in one direction will give approx 5 Volts and jogging in the opposite direction will give approx 0 Volts.
Tweakie.
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Your screen shot shows that your printer port is on 03BC not 03BM..... try both IO ranges in the ports and pins Both 03bc if that doesnt work then try 03be
The clunk your getting is the stepper drives energizing. All that means is that you are getting power to the motors from the drives. It has nothing to do with the computer talking to the controller.
Hello everyone. Great forum you guys have here. I have been reading for a while up to today when I finished putting my machine together and got ready to get it running.
I downloaded Mach3 demo, added the XML file and ran the driver test. Then I followed some instructions and set up Mach3.
So far, no movement at all. First, I am running Mach3 on a laptop. Its an older IBM with a built in printer port. 1.7Ghz, 1GB ram with Windows XP.
My Controller is a TB-6560. Looks like some toshiba parts but made in China.
My printer port is 03BM so I changed that in Mach3. Now when I try jogging I hear a little "clunk" coming from the motor but no movement at all.
Also, the driver test completed all the way but said during the test that the pulse was too fast?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
So you're saying I should try different Ranges for the printer port?
Also, if the problem is my laptop what motion controller would you guys suggest?
Thanks
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I guess the problem was the laptop.... I borrowed a PC and got it running. Unfortunately I don't have room so I may have to buy a SmoothStepper.
Do you guys think it will work fine with the laptop?
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it will work just fine, I have a smooth stepper running off of a netbook
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Personally I would hang off buying a SS for a wee while if you can. The new one should be out in the next month or so, it connects via Ethernet.
Hood
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But then I wont be able to use it at all until then....
Long wait!
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It looks like your port setting. Hi
make sure your port details in mach 3 are in capitals. I can not remember if this changes it but i think it does. If not, try change your port settings in your bois to the default. turn of any advanced power management, infact turn off anything you dont need.
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Motortunning ! Probably PulseWidth is 0(zero). Must be 1 to 15 microsecond.
Regards.
Rudolf