Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => SmoothStepper USB => Topic started by: JTW on March 18, 2015, 06:38:43 PM
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So I bought a SS with the USB port because I didn't think it through. Our MachIII installation is on a lathe with a 2000mm bed, with the cabinet at one end and the control panel at the other. We decided to rip out the Heidenhein guts and simply put a PC inside the panel. Unfortunately it seems that 5 meters is too long for the USB cable, the SS is not detected properly (off/on/off/on really fast - weak signal?). The cable is supposedly active and useable at 5 meters, I guess maybe is ok with a printer or something less critical.
I already tried a couple of different brands of USB cable and also a USB to Cat5 converter. I don't want to buy a new ethernet SS but I see that there are powered USB hubs with amplifiers. Given that we already tried an amplifier cable I'm a bit suspect about it. Has anyone else had this issue? What was the solution? Can someone recommend a known USB amplifier hub that actually is proven to work.
For anyone about to buy a USB smooth stepper, don't believe these claims of the USB cables.
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Long USB cables for any purpose are problematic. If your trying to power the device with the USB cable then you will have a lot of issues. I suggest using a small 5V power supply to power the SmoothStepper: http://www.soigeneris.com/meanwell_ps_05_power_supplies-details.aspx . For an industrial machine I think you will find the ESS would have been a better choice, you would need a 5V power supply for it as well.
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Hi Jeff, agreed. Should have gone with the ethernet version. Tried the external power like you said, some improvement but still unusable. I guess time to get an ethernet smoother stepper!
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I have them in stock :)
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They do make USB range extenders for longer cable runs.
Just a thought, (;-) TP