Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: maglinvinn on July 27, 2009, 09:02:22 PM
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http://www.cncgeeker.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1&zenid=2117754931365e58cbcfb3574ae62efa
thats a link to the card i'm using to power my machine, i hope.
However, when attempting to test (via the diagnostics) this card, i get zero responses from actions on it. IE - i try to /trip/ the Estop and no statuses change anywhere on my diagnostics screen.
At this point, i'm at a loss. I'd love nothing more than to use mach 3 and when i see it work, buy it to do some more intricate routings.
I need help getting the software set up. just so you know:
i'm using xp pro. 1.8 ghz machine with 1.5 gigs of mem. on (mother)board parralel port, turned on in bois and set to 0x375 (or 2... i'm on a different computer and away from the shop :) i can never remember between 5s and 2s. oi.)
I installed mach, and rebooted. i ran driver test and the test was good. i rebooted, i ran mach loader, made my own profile, ran the program, and populated the ports/pins config w// the information as found in the doc included w/ this controller.
someone help? please?
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to expand on this:
i tested pin 10, that being the boards Estop pin. with the cable plugged in, and the estop *untripped* the pin reads .10 v. i close the estop switch, and voltage drops to 0. However, none of my status lights in mach 3 change w/ this, nor does the estop light, well, light up.
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0.1v is far too low, it needs to be over 2.5 but in reality more.
Remove the cable from the port and put your meter direct to the port. Connect between the X axis Dir pin and the connectors shell and then jog the X one way then the next and see if what happens to the voltage, should swap between 0v and 5v depending on direction you jog.
Hood
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great!
... and if i don't get a signal? what does that tell me?
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http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F3D508-10-Parallel-Transfer-Cable/dp/B00000J1UP
ok. so i have step x on pin 2, dir x on pin 3. when i arrow key in diagnostics, 3 pin goes 5v to the right, 0 to the left. (actually, 0.07).
However, when i hook up my cable, the 13 pin is the one that shows that 'hot' then 'cold' behavior.
DOH. looks like the cable is completely wrong. gah. Thoughts on rewiring the cable so pins line up from one end of the cable to the other? :)
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http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F3D508-10-Parallel-Transfer-Cable/dp/B00000J1UP
ok. so i have step x on pin 2, dir x on pin 3. when i arrow key in diagnostics, 3 pin goes 5v to the right, 0 to the left. (actually, 0.07).
However, when i hook up my cable, the 13 pin is the one that shows that 'hot' then 'cold' behavior.
DOH. looks like the cable is completely wrong. gah. Thoughts on rewiring the cable so pins line up from one end of the cable to the other? :)
That cable is completely wrong. It's a crossover cable intended for connecting parallel ports on two PCs together (LapLink-style) to do file transfers. What you need is a 25-pin straight-through extender cable.
Regards,
Ray L.
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i'm having a hell of a time finding one. can i re-wire than one to do the job? i went and got the db25 ends (male). i got two, just in case.
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Yes as long as you can solder reasonably proficiently then its an easy task, just make sure you get the pins correct on either end.
Hood
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good news, x axis motor is turning one way then the next
however, y and z are non-responsive.
i think it has to do with these pin settings (which i can't find representation of in mach 3)
8 Out Enable Y (low*)
9 Out Enable Z (low*)
14 Out Enable X (low*)
low refering to active low.
Pin in Parallel Port In/Out Signal
2 Out Step X
3 Out Dir X
4 Out Step Y
5 Out Dir Y
6 Out Step Z
7 Out Dir Z
8 Out Enable Y (low*)
9 Out Enable Z (low*)
14 Out Enable X (low*)
10 In Emergence Stop (low*)
11 In Limit X (low*)
12 In Limit Y (low*)
13 In Limit Z (low*)
1,15,16,17 Not Utilized
18-25 GND
this is the entire list of assignments. currently, y and z won't step, and limit z doesn't appear to be responsive.
Emergency stop, limit x and limit y both respond in mach 3 when i trip the switches for each.
Thoughts?
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Check with an ohm meter that the cable is pin for pin and also that no pin shorts to another.
Hood
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Have you been able to solve the problem?That is exactly the same problem that I am having ie.. to be able to translate those vague IN/OUT signal usage in the manual for this driver from Univelop.I bought mine on ebay and I have not been able to get my motors to turn. I spent countless hours trying to get it going but dont seem to make any progress.I emailed the seller about 4 days ago but no response.
I used to have Driver from MDfly.com which works fine ie..turns all the 3 axis motors to get a job done.It required just one power supply.I accidentally fried it from a new power supply.
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I should have posted my solution when i got it here.
theres a output option, with 'enable' settings. set these to 8 9 and 14 to enable each axis. make sure step and dir is set. double check your port number. use the arrow keys and you should get results.
all 3 axis are turning, both directions, and i'm currently in frame development phase w/ the machine itself now.
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I should have posted my solution when i got it here.
theres a output option, with 'enable' settings. set these to 8 9 and 14 to enable each axis. make sure step and dir is set. double check your port number. use the arrow keys and you should get results.
all 3 axis are turning, both directions, and i'm currently in frame development phase w/ the machine itself now.
Can anyone help...
I did that but the x & y motors are acting wierd.They are continously turning in the clockwise direction & will only change direction when i reverse them with the arrow keys.
Also there is another observation,the X & Y motors will only stop when I press the estop button.As soon as it is released it continue with its motion.
I was about able to run the roadrunner gcode but I could tell that the X & Y motors are running against the continous motion as described.
The Z axis motor is fine.It responds appropriately to the "pageup & pagedown" keys on the keyboard.
what am I doing wrong here?Can anybody help?
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Check your wiring, sounds like you have it wrong, either that or you may have duplicate pins enabled in Mach for more than one function.
Hood
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I am using the mach3 lockdown version.I have checked the port & pin #s and they are all ok.
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Then if all that is correct the next most likely is noise on the Step/Dir signals.
Hood