Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Cbizkit on April 29, 2012, 08:49:31 PM
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Into my first build & could use some help.
Using pentium 4 with 1g ram-I have constant voltage at parallel port pins on startup. when i launch mach3, i lose voltage and cant get a pulse when jogging.
I am running a demo version but my understanding is that I am good for 500 lines. port address is good. ports and pin configuration matches tutorial videos
Any thoughts?
Thanks
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Check on a Dir pin and jog axis back and forward to see if boltage changes. Checking on a Step pin may not give you much of a voltage, that will depend on the active low setting in Mach. Even if you have that set so you get 5v when stationary you will only see a very slight drop in voltage when jogging, reason being it is a pulse that is being sent out of the step pin.
Hood
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You will see it better on an oscilloscope if you have one, can you get a clean on/off output at the spindle's assigned pin?
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Thanks Hood & Blue Pinnacle-I checked step and dir pins extensively-down loaded Parmon and can turn the pin power on and off with it-loaded factory restore discs to clean out my computer. reinstalled mach3 and still have the same problem (no pulse at parallel port pins) I read in the Mach3 manual that if your computer is APCI uniprocessor instead of standard computer, that you could have problems.My computer is APCI uniprocessor. Does anyone know if this is killing my chances of using this machine? Also, looked at prices for oscilloscopes. Would this be a great benefit to have? Would a lower cost one be sufficient?
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Nice to have, not essential. You can pick up the safety pulse on pin 1 using an earpiece for example. And a 20 year old scope in good condition would be fine.
Do you have the port address set up properly?
If the chipset really won't play then an add- on parallel card may be the answer . We find the Moschip based cards work very well for our purposes.
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I am certain of my port address-ordered a parallel card-I'll post how it turns out-Thanks
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installed the new card and getting the SAME exact results! don't want to give up on Mach but I'm ready to buy a (ready to go) box-any sugestions?
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Sounds like you do not have mach3 configured correctly. IF you are not seeing activity on the pins then MACH3 is not sending them out to the pins.
Double check the port assignment The PC's port number and the mach3 port number is not the same. Check that your port address is correct.
Double check the port/pins assigments are correct and you are using the correct port.
IS jogging turned ON in YOUR mach3 ? If it is OFF it will not jog and you get NO signals at the port.
(;-) TP
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Where do I turn on the jog in Ver. 3.045
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Jog On/Off button should have green round it, see pic
Hood
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Found it, but still will work..
Ray
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Will not work.
Ray
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If you attach your xml I will see if there is anything wrong in your setup.
Hood
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Hi Hood,
Jumping off topic here a little but you seem to be on top of these type things;
Do you have a simple batch file to bring up a particular configuration when Mach starts automatically from the Start folder?
Thanks,
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Not really sure what you are asking, if you have the shortcut to the profile you want in the start folder that is what will start. If you want to choose a profile when windows starts then just put a shortcut to the Mach Loader into the start folder.
If you are wanting something else then maybe try and explain it again.
Hood
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I want to be able to go directly to the profile when turning the computer on. Even if you only have one profile and go through the loader (in the Start folder) you still have to hit OK, I'm trying to make it totally automatic.
Thanks for your help,
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Ok thats what I do, if you have a shortcut on your desktop that opens the profile you want then just drag it to Start button then All Programmes then Start Up and drop it in there. Next time you start Windows it will automatically start.
Hood
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Finally hacked around enough to write a very simple batch file and put it in Startup\Programs,
this works;
echo off
cd C:\Mach3
Mach3.exe /p New-M3-W
exit
once again, thanks for all the help for me and so many others