Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: ventuseu on March 19, 2010, 11:21:03 AM
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I reloaded Mach to try and eliminate another problem (which it did), but now my homing switches are messed up.
I uninstalled Mach and the driver, did an install, and copied my .xml and screenset files back into the Mach folder. All the motor settings, custom screen, etc. seem to have been restored exactly. (I struggled briefly with a never seen before "Shuttle not found" error message, but found the solution to that one with quick Forum search).
My homing switches are all wired in series to port 1 pin 11. This set up has worked flawlessly for months, but now on the Diagnostics screen they are all flashing yellow. and when I try to "Ref. all home", the axis starts to move, stops, and the "Homing Switch active" error appears.
By enabling/disabling the switches individually and manually actuating them, it looks like all the switches are functional (i.e., the lights on the diagnostics page turn on and off with the switch actuation).
Everything else seems to be functioning normally. I'm able to run parts with LED's on the Diagnostics page flashing yellow, but I'd sure like to get my homing function back.
Any suggestions would be appreciated...
ventuseu
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Sounds like you have noise on your home switches, try increasing the debounce interval further to see if you get rid of the issue, if you do then best to try and isolate the noise.
Hood
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When you press a switch it changes from flashing to solid yellow?
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Increasing the debounce to 2000 (it had been set at 250 since the initial set-up of the machine) doesn't seem to have any effect.
Yes, when I activate any of the switches all three of the LEDs change from flashing to solid yellow...
Thanks for the suggestions...
ventuseu
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What happens if you enable only one switch at a time? Does it still flash?
Try dissconnecting the swtiches, does it still flash?
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Enabling each switch individually - their behaviour remains the same.
Disconnecting the switches at the BOB results in solid yellow LED's, and trying to home the machine with disconnected switches gives the error message "Homing switch activated"...
Cheers,
ventuseu
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Put a piece of wire in place of the switches where they connect to the bob and see if you still get the flashing.
Hood
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With the BOB terminals jumpered together with 1/2" wire, the LED's are flashing yellow...
Cheers,
ventuseu
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Either a very serious noise issue or a problem with the BOB.
Do you have another input on the BOB spare that you can try?
Hood
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I think you may have something with BOB- I'll try using a different input, although it will probably take me a while to figure out the best way to do it.
Since the problem appeared with the re-install of Mach, I assumed it was software related, but it may be another one those "coincidental" hardware problems that have caused what few I hairs I have remaining to turn gray...
Thanks for the suggestions - I'll keep you posted.
Cheers,
ventuseu
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Only other reason I could see for it is if you have a brain or a macropump triggering the home switch inputs.
Hood
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I changed the switches to a different input (port 1, pin13), with no change in their behavior...
In Config/General Config the "Run Macro Pump" is unchecked. I've never used brains (if I had any brains at all, I'd forget about this CNC stuff and stick to flying motorless airplanes! ;D), so I don't know how to check and see if there are running...
ventuseu
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I doubt there will be any running if you dont use them but you can check from the Operator menu then Brain Control. You will see a list of any Brains you have and as you click on them you will see if they are enabled.
Hood
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Thanks. There are no brains listed...
One last check before I give up for the weekend: I disabled all the inputs except a single axis limit switch (assigned to the same port/pin as the home switch). I get the "Limit Switch active" error message regardless of whether it is set active high or low. However, when it is active low, no LED is lit. When it is active high, the limit LED is steady yellow. Is it likely that this "no flashing" condition is caused by the fact Mach can't reset because it thinks its on the limit switch?
Thanks,
ventuseu
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Do you still have the E-Stop connected as you are unable to disable it in Mach so if you have it disconnected you will need to change the active low setting.
Ok how about a quick test, make a new profile but only set up the home switches in that profile and see what happens.
Hood
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Problem Solved!
I reloaded the BOB plug-ins (which I should have done after the Mach reinstall), and everything works fine.
Thanks Hood and Jeff, for getting me pointed in the right direction (i.e., that is was not a Mach problem, but BOB related).
My weekend is looking a lot better...
Thanks again,
ventuseu
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Didnt know there was such a thing as a BOB plugin, what make of BOB is it?
Hood
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Oh, you have one of those PMDX 'port expanding' BOBs? Hood, they work by multiplexing the available input lines between two different physical inputs. Not ideal for 'real time' inputs like limits I think...
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Hood & Jeff,
I'm using the Candcnc package of BOB and three other boards (their nomenclature is MTA100, Universal Breakout Board, Power Supply Board, and Table I/O Board) retrofitted into an old Dyna 2800 mill. They provide plug-ins for several configurations, including a pendant control.
When all is said and done, I've discovered that the Candcnc MPG plug-in interferes in some way with a couple of the Newfangled Wizards - specifically, it prevents data entry into the DRO's of the Circular Pocket wizard, and trying to solve that problem is what started this whole circus in the first place. By disabling all the plug-ins except the UBOB, everything works as intended.
I'll post a more detailed summary on the Newfangled subforum sometime this weekend...
As an aside, I've been quite pleased with Candcnc package. It has performed well, and made retrofitting a modern control system into a 20 year old machine a relatively painless job.
Thanks again,
ventuseu
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Hood & Jeff,
As an aside, I've been quite pleased with Candcnc package. It has performed well, and made retrofitting a modern control system into a 20 year old machine a relatively painless job.
Thanks again,
ventuseu
Not for Hood & Jeff ;D ;D ;D