Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: khinhaw on October 08, 2012, 01:36:35 AM
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Hi,
I'm not new to Mach3, & had been successful in installing & configure Mach3 a couple of times in the pass.
I am encoutering a really weird behavior, can't really tell if it is a Mach3 problem, BOB problem or wiring problem.
Here's the scenario.
Installed Mach3, ran the speed test, all are well. Created custom screen, & started to go about configurating the motor & I/O
Config>Ports & pins , check #port 1, select 25khz. Unchecked everything else
Config>Ports & pins>motor outputs, plug in all the motor pins correctly, enable the x,y,z axis
Config>Motor tuning, "step per"=26.525, Velocity=3000, Acceleration 300. on all axis.
#ps, I'm using Module 1.0 rack & pinion. pinion gear is 24 tooth. 10 microsteps. step per=200x10/(24pi)=26.525
Restart Mach3
press arrow key-> DRO moved, motor no response,
press Pgup, Pgdn-> DRO moved, motor no response
I then test the bob by using the spindle toggle in the dianostic screen, LED on BOB terminals & all the output behaved accordingly.
I then fiddleing will all the check boxes & found out that the motor only response when the MaxCL box is checked. but in a strange way.
In the MaxCL mode, disregard of which terninals between 4,5,6,7,8,9 I plug in the stepper motor driver input, the same motor will move only in the same direction when I press the same key...
Also, the travel is only 1/4 of what it is expected. exactly 1/4
I'd swapped PC, swapped BOB, swap LPT cable. & nothing works for me when MaxCL was unchecked...
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Hi Khinhaw,
It is my understanding that unless you are using a Maxnc machine controller then you should forget about checking this mode in the setup (it allocates its own pin configuration irrespective of what you have set in ports & pins).
Try using Sherline 1/2 pulse mode and see if that helps.
Also check the output voltage on one of your LPT 'direction' pins to see if it is approx. 0 / 5 Volts as opposed to 0 / 3.3 Volts.
Tweakie.
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I tried Sherline 1/2 pulse mode & motor remained un-responsive. but DRO moved.
I switched to Maxnc mode again, (this is the only time when the BOB's motor pin actually produce any sort of signal.) & I get about 3V from DIR & STEP pins, I type in G0 x2000000 to send some pulses for testing on X axis motor pins on the BOB
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Hi Khinhaw,
Sorry if I did not explain properly. If you are not using a Maxnc controller then DO NOT use Maxnc mode. You will just be wasting your time and achieve no useful results.
Measure the voltage on your X Axis 'direction' pin at the LPT output. Moving the X Axis in one direction should produce 5 Volts then moving the same axis in the other direction should produce 0 Volts. If you only get 3.3 Volts here then it may not be sufficient to drive your BOB so fitting a 5 Volt output Parallel Port card may be the way forward.
Have you tried changing the Active Low / Active High settings for your 'Step' pins ??
Tweakie.
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Tweakie.CNC, thanks for the heads up. the X-DIR measures 4.3V on my DMM. MaxCL un-checked
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Sorry, both directions measures 4.3V on the LPT pins
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If your meter is connected between the correct X Axis 'direction' pin (whatever it is) and computer GND then the voltage should change between your 4.3V and 0V (approx.) when you move the X Axis in opposite directions. This should occur irrespective of anything else connected.
So try closing Mach3, disconnecting the CNC machine from the PC then restart Mach3, check your ports & pins configuration again and measure the voltage on your X Axis direction pin at your LPT cable. Does it now change voltage level when you jog the X Axis ??
Tweakie.
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Tweakie.cnc.
Done all that & the pin remains 4.2V
my pin2 isX-DIR, pin4 is Y-DIR, when I run G0 X20000Y20000, then G0X-20000Y-20000 the voltage reading remains at 4.3V
DMM probe +ve at Pin 2 or 4, COM pin ar DB25 25pin
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That whittles it down a bit then - some possibilities are…
A bad installation of Mach3
A damaged parallel port or LPT cable.
Incorrect configuration of the Ports and Pins within Mach3.
Are you using Win XP ??
Tweakie.
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Re installed Mach3 many time.
Swap a few LPT cables, even bought new ones for the purpose.
I wouldn't know for sure, but I checked the port & pins configuration, Even strip it down to only the motors & Charge-pump. yet no good.
I'm using XP. I even swap PC... one which proven working on another machine...
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Download and run Parmon http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml
This will test if your parallel port is operating correctly.
Tweakie.
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Thanks Tweakie, the parmon is very handy in deed.
Solved my problem....
Wrong pin assignment, Step as Dir, & vice verse... & never restart Mach after setting pin numbers...
Embarrassing...
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That's good, I am pleased to hear that you are now on your way.
Tweakie.