Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Norm on February 13, 2013, 04:26:19 PM

Title: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 13, 2013, 04:26:19 PM

 :'(
Hi all,
I was thrilled to have the little Sherline Lathe up and running and I machined a miniature baseball bat. 
I moved the setup from home to school but when I went to demonstrate it to one of the other teachers I lost the X axis.  I have lots of spare parts so I replaced the driver box, stepper motor and all cables, thinking that something had been pulled apart in the move.  No luck, and I can not identify any changes in the configuration screens
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have attached the xml file in case someone can see the problem there.
Thanks again,
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: RICH on February 13, 2013, 04:42:59 PM

Swap the axis, ie; Z for X and see if you get movement since at least that may give you an indication of what is wrong.
RICH

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 13, 2013, 04:48:20 PM

Thanks Rich,
I will try that right now.
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 13, 2013, 04:56:12 PM

Tried that and I gained the X axis and lost the Z axis.
Thanks, at least I can rule out hardware now.
Thanks again,
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: RICH on February 14, 2013, 05:37:44 AM

Post your xml file that you are using.
RICH

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 14, 2013, 08:13:19 AM

Hopefully this is not the third repeat,
Just having a few problems a t this point.
Here is the xml.
Sorry,
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Chaoticone on February 14, 2013, 11:56:59 AM

Norm, you don't have a port number assigned to the step and direction pins in Motor Outputs and you only have the y enabled.  You will want to assign port and pin numbers to the x and z and make sure they are enabled.  You may also need to assign a port and pin to the estop input. I would assign it to port 1 pin 11.  You can change the active state for e stop to over ride it but I do not suggest that, your estop should be priority 1.

Brett

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 14, 2013, 03:11:31 PM

Thanks Brett,
Currently, I am using the toogle switch on the Sherline driver box for my ESTOP as suggested by Sherline but only for testing it out.  I will set up an ESTOP shortly and most likely run it through a second printer port.  Thanks for the suggestion it is a very high priority to me also.
I will look again at motor outputs but it appears as that X and Z are enabled and set up on port 1 using 5 & 4 for X and 7&6 for Z.  I will go back through it tomorrow.  I am hoping I didn't send you the old xml file.
Thanks again,
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Chaoticone on February 14, 2013, 03:46:03 PM

OK Norm, you may well have posted an old XML as the only motor enabled is Y.  Also, I didn't see any other inputs assigned.  In any case, I would set the estop pin to pin 11 port 1 for now at least.  The estop must have a port and pin assigned to it, this is not optional.  Weather or not you have it physically wired is up to you but I strongly suggest that you do.

Brett

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 14, 2013, 09:00:22 PM

Sorry again for sending the old file last time.  This is the latest version.  I will make the ESTOP a priority.
Thanks again for the continued support.
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Chaoticone on February 15, 2013, 08:33:51 AM

Hey Norm, that xml looks a lot better.  It works as it should it here.  When you say you lost the x axis, I'm assuming the x axis does not move at all?  Does the DRO for the x axis change?

Brett

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 15, 2013, 10:39:01 AM

HI Brett,
The Tool does not move, however the DRO does show the x-axis moving.
Thanks again,
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Hood on February 15, 2013, 11:15:26 AM

Swap pin assignment in Mach for X and Z and see if the Z stops working and X starts (not physical X and Z but Machs X and Z)
Hood

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 15, 2013, 02:53:59 PM

Hi Hood,
I swapped pin assignments.  when I jog the x axis Z moves, when I jog the z axis nothing moves.  The DRO responds in both Axis.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,
Norm

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Hood on February 15, 2013, 02:58:25 PM

Ok sounds like a problem with the parallel port I would say.
Hood

Title: Re: almost Newbie lost x axis movement
Post by: Norm on February 16, 2013, 07:53:00 PM

Thanks Hood,
I will try hooking it up to a different computer.
Thanks again,
Norm