Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: withshoeon on August 05, 2007, 07:05:40 PM

Title: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: withshoeon on August 05, 2007, 07:05:40 PM

I have a problem with my steppers

The problem is all three of my axis are rhythmically stuttering. The steppers seem to be interrupted in a very short and rhythmic way slightly faster than every second.  When I first installed the software everything worked fine. It has gradually become worse. When I first load mach 3 (ver2) it is often very bad and the stutter is big and often the motors stall completely. If I then reboot the problem is often much smaller with the stutter lasting a fraction of a second.

I have tried lots of different things from the forums
I have changed the step and dir pulse to 5 us and I have turned all other programs off in the startup using msconfig. I think I have turned off ACPI it can no longer be put in standby. Changing the step and dir pulse to 5 seemed to slightly improve things but not completely.

I have used the driver test programme and for pulses per second in 25khz im getting from 24390 to 24400 I have little idea what this stuff means and I dont know if its any help but the cpu speed is 996 and the light for "Apic is present" is lit

Thanks

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: gskinner on August 20, 2007, 09:50:49 PM

Anyone have any ideas about this problem?  I seem to be having a very similar problem also.  I just finished building my machine over the weekend and everything worked fine yesterday.  Today when I jog the machine in the x long axis I rhythmically get a little jerk all the way along the axis.  It is driven by 2 steppers on rack and pinion.  I think it is also doing it slightly on the Y but very minimal.

Thanks

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: Chaoticone on August 20, 2007, 10:43:11 PM

Can you post a screen shot of the driver test?

Brett

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: gskinner on August 21, 2007, 11:39:27 AM

How do I get a screen shot to post?

Thanks

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: Chaoticone on August 21, 2007, 12:26:56 PM

Watch this, it will help.

http://precisionchaos1.com/welcome_tutor_flash/welcome_tutor_flash.html

Brett

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: gskinner on August 21, 2007, 01:08:48 PM

Sorry I should have been more clear.  How do I get a screen shot of the test screen?  Is there a selection on the screen to select to save a screen shot or do I have to use another program.  I am not at the computer with Mach installed, maybe when I get to that computer later today it will be clear.

Thanks

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: Chaoticone on August 21, 2007, 01:41:23 PM

I'm sorry Skinner. You can do it with your Prt Scn key or, I like this free screen capture program.

http://wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter_free.htm

Brett

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: gskinner on August 21, 2007, 06:42:08 PM

I found out what the problem is.  I use a USB flash drive to transfer files from my design computer to the Mach computer.  When the flash drive is plugged in I get the stuttering problem.  When I remove it the stuttering goes away.  So the problem is fixed. :)
This is the same computer I used with the old router and did not have the problem.  Must be the differences in the way Mach is now configured.  I will just make sure I remove the flash drive before running the router.

Thanks for listening and the screen capture advise, I'm sure I will need it in the future.

Title: Re: Steppers rhythmically stuttering
Post by: Chaoticone on August 21, 2007, 06:58:04 PM

Good to hear Skinner.

Brett