Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: ffulmer on June 26, 2007, 09:42:51 PM
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I bought a Dynamite 2800 machine and would like to know if I can just use the RS232 port from my computer running Mach3 and keep the machine controller or do I have to go into the driver boards? I understand the Dynamite machine has good iron, but does not use G code, which raises my question about using Mach3 without changing some of the hardware. I need all the help I can get with the sofware issue. Thank you. Fred Fulmer
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Hey Fred,
You can't use the RS232. :( Mach works through a parallel port. There are other options that work through an Eathernet or USB. I have sent you a personal message.
Brett
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I just upgraded a DynaMyte 2400 to Mach II, by building a custom replacement for the distribution board. But basically, you can replace the function of the controller and distribution board with Mach III and a good opto-isolated breakout board. Someone just sent me the wiring diagram for the 2800 (and 3000 lathe, which I have) and he's is also sending some pictures of the distribution board and the two daughter boards that appear to me mounted to it on the prints. I'm trying to build a more universal replacment for the distribution board, easily adapted for each machine. anyhow, if your in a hurry it's best to go the opto-isolated breakout board method.
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Jeff
Thank you for your reply. It looks like good stuff! I am planning on using Mach III but I thought I had to replace the driver boards with Gecko units because the current boards are analog and I thought Mach III was sending digital signals. Are you are saying that I can use the existing driver boards?
I have a new breakout board ready and I ordered a wiring schematic from Dyna Mechtronics in Sunnyvale California. But, no I’m not in any hurry and would like to know more about this distribution board that I will have to make. Thank you.
Fred
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Hmmmm....your mill has stepper motors, right? My notes on this are at work, but I seem to remember the following three Dyan-Mechtronics mills:
2200: Small benchtop, stepper motors
2400: upgraded 2200, built in oiler, stepper motors
2800: larger 'mid-size' unit, has an LED RPM display for spindle spindle motor has encoder, spindle has no reverse and can only be turned on/off by control cannot set speed via program, axis have stepper motors
Is that what your 2800 is like?
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Jeff
Yes, the 2800 is the larger "mid-size" unit with LED RPM display for the 1-1/2 horsepower brushless DC spindle motor with a BT-30 taper in the spindle. The axis motors are stepper with extended spindles and I just saw that Gekco is developing an opto encoder setup for steppers that would fit these motors. It sounds very intersting and may be worth waiting for, unless you tell me that I can use my current driver boards as is.
Fred
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yeah, your current drivers should be fine. I'm running the stock drivers on my 2400, which work fine. If your stock drives are fine, I would stick with them unless you really want to upgrade to a closed loop system (as you mentioned) or want to maybe coax a bit more out of the stock steppers.
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Jeff
I understand that Mach III will take over as the controller when I do my installation, but I would like to know what will remain of the old drop in controller and wire from the original machine. Did you discard it? If so it looks like a good location for me to mount a box with my FANUC rotary pulse generator and/or flat screen, etc.
I think I will move forward using my current driver boards and get this machine going. I can always upgrade again next year when Gecko has perfected those new drivers with the opto feed back. Thank you.
Fred
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Thanks Jeff, I knew Fred would find some help here.
Brett
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Sorry to take so long to respond. On my 2400 (smaller machine than yours), I removed the stock controller pendant and made a replacement for the distribution board inside the machine. Everything that plugged into the old distribution board plugs right into my new board. The LPT cable and a USB cable from the controlling PC also plug into the new board. NOTE: the USB is just for a 5V source from PC. Warning: some breakout boards have a power supply built in that appears to be a multi-secondary transformer, feeding power to both sides of the opto-isolator circuit, avoid these like the plague, as the transformer makes a nice inductive coupling between the two sides, making the optos nearly useless.
Your breakout board will replace the distribution board. The 2800 looks like it has a few daughter boards mounted to the distribution board, I'm still awaiting photos of the stock set up (from another source) before I can tell more.
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I bought a DYNA MYTE 2800 table top CNC milling machine made by Dyna
Mechtronics. I am looking for a copy of the manual or any information
on it. Anybody have this machine or have experience with one?
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Mike
Did you just buy that one sold on ebay? Do you have the machine in front of you to look at. I am in Florida, where are you?
Yes, I have manuals, I have all the old stuff. Although I assume you will want to upgrade to Mach3 (as I did) and the old controls will be replaced.
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I did buy the one on Ebay Friday and I have to go pick it up next weekend. As far as the controls, I will probably use gecko 201's , run Quantium or Mach and run the same steppers. Not knowing anything about it is a real disadvantage. I'm having a little buyers remorse today, but I'll get over it when the machine is here and I can start working on it.
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Mike
Relax; you have a good machine. The spindle takes a BT-30 tool holder with a quick-change lever. It has ball lead screws with good size stepper motors and lots of iron. The machine weighs about 800 pounds so I hope you have something to unload it with and a solid steel table to put it on.
You can change out to gecko drives if you like, but I am using the original driver boards and they work just fine. The only thing you will need is a breakout board, an old PC and lots of patience. When you get your machine home let me know and I will try to help.
Fred
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Fred:
I hope to have it home by Sat. Night, yes I have it all figured out on getting it on to the trailer safely. I would really love to not have to spend another $400 on replacing the boards. Did you just put a break out board in and wire to the exsisting board(s)?
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Mike
Yes I am using the old driver boards, but I forgot to tell you to contact DM and get a copy of the electrical wiring for your machine. They charge about $30.00.
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DM is now charging $50 the the wiring diagrams, could you please contact me at mikeg53549@yahoo.com the machine is now here and I was able to home all 3 axis, now I need to mount the breakout board you recomended.
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Hi Fellas,
I recently purchased a Dyna 2800. It has the stock factory pendant disabled, and is run by a pc based system called Artisan cnc. I have a cnc router in my shop that is run by Mach 3 and would really love to be able to run my Dyna mill with Mach as well. Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks, Dave
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I upgraded my 2800 to run on Mach 3, I had help from a great man down in Florida, Fred. All I did was remove some of the boards, keeping the controllers and installing a breakout board. Very easy and very inexpensive. Fred ended up replacing the motors and some other things on his to get better accurate cuts. When I 1st started mine up it sounded like a army tank rolling by, but putting a better computer on it helped smooth it out some. For me the machine was a mistake, too small a cutting area.