Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: audioandy on May 30, 2010, 04:52:22 PM
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Hi All
I have been running Mach 3 now on my machine for quite sometime with no issues what so ever, but last week my PC that I use just for controlling my machine decided to call it a day, so because the PC was fairly low spec 1Ghz 512MB ram I decided to build a higher spec with some bits I had around.
The new spec is AMD dual core running at 2.4Ghz 2MB ram clean install of XP with all updates nothing else other than Mach3 apart from the graphics card and sound card untils, ran the system test which showed a nice flat line and a steady pulse rate but here is the problem.
Since changing the PC I seem to be loosing steps in the Z axis, I have been trying to do some simple engraving and as the tool moves along the line of text the tool starts to get higher after every safe Z move until it's completely above the work piece.
If I stop and home my Z axis it returns to the correct starting height.
One more thing I have noticed when my axis are on the home switches the LED's on the Diagnostic Screen randomly flash so I was just wondering if anybody has experienced anything like this or could come up with some idea what might be going on.
The only thing I haven't tried is retuning my motors but I am using the same .XML file from my old PC setup, I use a CNC4PC buffered breakout board and the LED's on the board are solid no flashing or flickering.
Thanks
Andy
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Check that the cable from the port is connected properly, also might be worth increasing the Debounce Interval a bit.
Hood
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Already i test mach3 with two system base AMD. but it dont work well.
randomly flash
Exactly like my problem.
and i decide change system to intel.now without problem.
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Already i test mach3 with two system base AMD. but it dont work well.
randomly flash
Exactly like my problem.
and i decide change system to intel.now without problem.
All of my machines have used AMD CPUs and I have never had a problem, so I would say its not a case of AMD have problems and Intel dont. I use Via Pico motherboards now on two of them and a third is on the cards to be done but this has nothing to do with the AMD being no use but rather the Via Picos are tiny (100mm x 72mm )and I wish to save space.
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Maybe I'm wrong
Via Picos are tiny (100mm x 72mm )
please price ?
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Maybe I'm wrong
What I am saying it is not because its an AMD that its a problem, there may be a problem with that particular chipset on the motherboard but not actually a problem with the CPU.
Via Picos are tiny (100mm x 72mm )
please price ?
They do not have parallel ports so an external motion device is needed to use them, I use the SmoothStepper on all machines but KFlop DSPMC would also be fine with it.
You will see it here http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=11693
Hood
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there may be a problem with that particular chipset on the motherboard but not actually a problem with the CPU.
yes , i agree
about PICO , i think CPU is 1.0Ghz . is it enough for mach3 ?
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about PICO , i think CPU is 1.0Ghz . is it enough for mach3 ?
Yes I use it on my lathe and Beaver mill and soon to be on my Bridgeport.
I have been testing it with Mach3 Rev 4 and it works well, but, as said, you need an external controller to use it and these controllers take a lot of overhead away from the computer as they do the pulsing.
Hood
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you need an external controller
you mean : SmoothStepper ?
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you need an external controller
you mean : SmoothStepper ?
Yes or some of the others such as K-Flop, Galil or DSPMC
Hood
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what you dont use another model ?
for example:
http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12601 (http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12601)
MINI +1.66 CPU+ parallel+low price
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what you dont use another model ?
for example:
http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12601 (http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12601)
MINI +1.66 CPU+ parallel+low price
Two reasons
1. I need an external device to get the frequency I require for my axis so I use the SmoothStepper.
2. see pic ;)
Hood
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Well I have tried everything I can think of and nothing has worked, going for the complete reinstall of windows XP then a fresh install of MACH fingers crossed : (
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you must change your PC.
No need for change operating system .
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I have now tried two PC's both with the problem I am thinking more about the smooth stepper!
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How about this?
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,14905.msg99254.html#msg99254
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thx.
very good
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Hi Ger
I have looked through my bios but I do not seem to have the options your other thread talks about.
I have done a complete new install of XP carried out all the optimisations apart from standard PC as this will not allow the boot from my sata hard drive just about to install Mach and try again.
Will keep you all posted with my progress or not which ever the case maybe
Thanks
Andy
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On my old Dell, Mach3 will NOT run smoothly unless set to Standard PC. That very well could be the problem.
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Hi Gerry
Thanks for the help, do you know how to get a pc to run as a standard pc and boot from a sata hard drive?
Andy
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Did you disable ACPI before installing windows? Other than that, I don't know? Is it a windows problem, or a motherboard issue? Perhaps update the Bios?
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Hi Gerry
Yep I tried to disable the ACPI but that was when windows could not find my hard drive to install it's self to.
I have finished the clean install and will try it tonight (Tues) when I get home from work.
Thanks again
Andy
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Well after yet another clean install of XP and MACH my situation is no different.
I have had a plunge gauge in the Z axis and programmed some very fast moves ranging from 90mm right down to 0.1 mm and finshed off at Z zero and the dial gauge shows it is bang on, no signs of any missed steps at all.
It seems only to happen when all three axis are moving together!
Can anyone tell me what the "TIME IN INT" number means this is on the diagnostics screen just below "Jog ON/OFF control-alt-j" button as I have noticed the readout is jumping all over the place which might be ok I don't know?
Thanks for everyones help, this is now starting to drive me mad.
Andy
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Time in Int will jump about so thats nothing to worry about, it should be fairly low and only vary a bit though, not big differences. Whats your normally about?
Can you attach your xml, will have a look and see if I can find a problem.
Hood
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Time in Int will jump about so thats nothing to worry about, it should be fairly low and only vary a bit though, not big differences. Whats your normally about?
Can you attach your xml, will have a look and see if I can find a problem.
Hood
Hi Hood
Thanks for the help.
Time in Int ranges from +4 to +14 but flicking very fast between these numbers.
Whats the best way to attach the XMl file?
Andy
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Semms fine for Int
You will need to copy your xml to a different location on your drive then rename it so that the forum will accept it, suggest you call it audioandy.xml
You then use the additional options button on the reply page and browse your drive and choose your renamed xml.
Hood
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Hi Hood
Here is the XML file
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xml looks fine from what I see :(
What does the pulse frequency read on the diagnostics page?
Hood
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just over 35KHz and nice and steady
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One thing I have been asked to test by someone else is the poret grounding on the new motherboard which I will check tomorrow because I am off to bed up at 5.30 for work.
Cheers
Andy
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should read port grounding
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Ok, just as it should be.
Cant think what else to suggest unless you have a scope, if you do then you could look at the pulses to see if they look good coming out the port when you are having the issues.
Other thing to try is if you have a PCI port lying around shove it in and see.
Hood
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Hood I have tried a PCI port but it was no different.
I put myself on the smooth stepper waiting list ; )
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To be honest I am thinking its more hardware side of things thats the problem but thats only a feeling, a scope would let you know for sure. Dont suppose you know anyone that has one that could help you out?
Hood
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Don't know if this will help - spotted it on Yamachoo
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/17ChannelLogicAnalyzer.aspx (http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/17ChannelLogicAnalyzer.aspx)
Ian
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Hood
I can get one from work to use. If I don't get sorted before I will get over the weekend and do some testing
Stirling Thanks for the link I will have a good look to see if it might be of help
thanks
Andy
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Hood
I have managed to get my old PC back up and running (fitted a new graphics card) hooked it back up to the machine and its no different! Same problem.
So over night I have gone from a working machine with no issues to a blown graphics card and now what looks like a problem with my machine electronics.
I have got the scope from work, so this weekend I will be doing some probing and hopefully find the problem.
I will keep you posted.
andy
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Hopefully you will find the issue quickly wit the scope.
Hood
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Well I feel a right plonker!
Saturday morning I started my quest to find out what was going on with my machine, first thing moved my home switch wiring to another BOB only to find the the LED's were still flashing on the diagnostics screen.
So another check of the voltages and everything checked out ok until I checked the opto relays I was using to switch the 24v to 5v, 5 volts going in 2.3volt coming out ! So straight to the BOB removed the wires from one of my home switches and linked it out, solid LED on the screen.Removed the opto's replaced with some 24v relays problem solved.
Now the missing step saga,all the time I have been checking the problem I have been using the same G code program, I had checked the code and everything looked good, when I was running the tests with my plunge gauge there was no sign of any missing steps(differnet code), I went back to my cam program I had used for creating the code and found that I was trying to move the tool 17mm a sec! I know the machine would only achieve it's max that is set on the motor tuning page, but never the less I thought this might be the problem,I adjusted my toolpath paramaters and created the G code loaded it into the machine, NO MORE MISSED STEPS
It just go's to show how a series of events can send you down the complete wrong track, I had convinced myself it was the new computer. I will look on this as part of the very steep learning curve we all embark on when we set out down the home cnc route.
Thanks Hood for your help and anyone else who chipped in with advice.
Regards
Andy
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Had a smooth stepper hooked up to my machine this afternoon, loaded the problem gcode back in and ran it at 4.4meters a min no missed steps brilliant bit of kit!
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Good to hear you are sorted :) and yes the SmoothSteppers work well for the majority of people. Before I had one on the lathe I was limited to about 2 or 3m/min and that was using electronic gearing, now I run at 10m/min and the Mill runs 8m/min and both could top 20m/min if wanted :)
Hood