Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: 3Dsigns on September 27, 2013, 09:21:27 AM

Title: Newbie Trying to test my first controller
Post by: 3Dsigns on September 27, 2013, 09:21:27 AM

Greetings all,
I am a newbie building my first CNC project which is to be a 10'x9'x5' hotwire foam cutter, I have all my electronics situated in an enclosure and my steppers connected for testing. In trying to text my computer's parallel port, I opened MACH3, set the screen to Program/run mode, selected "config">ports and pins>

Port Setup is "port #1 enabled
Port Address is 0x378
Motor Output > x,y, and z axes are set to 2,, 3, and 4 respectively
Input signals > "e stop" is enabled and set to pin number "0"

I clicked apply, OK
Went back to the program run screen
clicked "reset" so that it was not blinking
stuck a paper clip in the second hole at the bottom, on the "wide side" of the computer's parallel port.

but....I'm reading 4.44v no matter which arrow key I press
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
Here are a couple of shots of my controller...
The box was an outdoor solar-power enclosure.
(https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1378531_10151871904790709_1610098837_n.png)
(https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/943352_10151871914070709_584002228_n.png)

Title:
Post by: Fastest1 on September 28, 2013, 06:20:40 PM

Are you just trying to verify the output voltage of the PP? Btw, hook up an estop and assign it a pin.

Title:
Post by: Fastest1 on September 28, 2013, 06:22:34 PM

Are you just trying to verify the output voltage of the PP? Btw, hook up an estop and assign it a pin. You do get 0 volt if not pushing any key, right?

Title: Re: Newbie Trying to test my first controller
Post by: 3Dsigns on September 29, 2013, 05:33:35 PM

Thanks.
I have an e-stop connected to the breakout board and assigned it's pen to "0" as per the video tutorial. I'm getting 4.44v even when not pressing a key.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uglCm_qsojk

Title: Newbie Trying to test my first controller
Post by: Fastest1 on October 09, 2013, 10:04:13 AM

You can't use pin 0.

   On the Mach set up screens inputs section there will be a specific set of pins that are listed. You must choose 1, hook your estop to the pin specified and then enable it and acknowledge which state it will be in active or low.