Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: chucksd83 on January 22, 2006, 04:37:33 AM

Title: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: chucksd83 on January 22, 2006, 04:37:33 AM
This is my first time posting in a forum. I have been using Mach2 for several months on my gantry plasma machine. I just bought THC300 from Bob Campbell and I have setting it up. That's when I discovered my limit switches were not working. I'm using a Fet4 from Stepperworld. The Fet4 has lugs to hook switches to. One ground and four for different axises. I put a volt ohms meter across the ground and switch lug with the power supply off, I got about 2.4 volts. With the power supply on, I got around 5 volts, Does this sound right? Should I be picking up anything with the power supply off? Will this afect weather it is active high or low?
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: Brian Barker on January 22, 2006, 09:27:30 AM
Is there a webpage where I can see what you are working with?
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: chucksd83 on January 22, 2006, 08:49:06 PM
Brian
 Stepperworld.com ,  they have it on the website, but most of the information is about motor setup. I may have to contact Stepperworld if I don't figure out anything.
 Thanks Chuck
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: Brian Barker on January 23, 2006, 07:58:30 AM
I don't see any data on there page :(  can you find the PDF??
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: chucksd83 on January 24, 2006, 06:52:36 PM
Brian
 I couldn't find a pdf either.  One thing you could tell me is, does Mach2 send a signal from the controling computer that can be measured in volts. Or does it need an outside source of power to operate the  limit switches? I am going to try contacting Stepperworld too.

Thanks Chuck
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: Brian Barker on January 24, 2006, 06:55:57 PM
Hello Chuck,
Yes you can put a limit switch right on the P Port if you need to get running. I have done this but you have to know there is NO isolation!
Good luck
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: chucksd83 on January 24, 2006, 07:35:49 PM
I am going to do some more checking before I do that. I think I am just missing something. I will get back with you later.
 Thanks

 Chuck
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: chucksd83 on February 04, 2006, 09:48:52 AM
Brian
 I got in touch with Stepperworld and he sent me a simple printer utility to check the port with. I had all three limit switches hooked to one switch lug on the board. I figured it would be easy to tell which switch was made just by looking.That lug quit working for some reason, the rest is working fine, for now I switched x and y together on one and z by itself on another. They are working like they are suppose to now. I will have to investigate the bad one later.
 
Thanks
 Chuck
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: jcullins on September 26, 2006, 09:41:24 AM

I am not familiar with the Fet4 board but FYI

The THC300 requires an input for a touch off switch on the floating head.
It can be hooked up an input on the first port or it can be connected through the
2nd port pin 13 from the sensor board at the plasma machine.
Please let me know if I can help.
Jim
Title: Re: limit switches on Fet4
Post by: chucksd83 on September 26, 2006, 05:44:26 PM
Thanks Jim
 Actually Jim, I have got that problem solved and had been running with the THC300. Now I have a new problem, the relay on the sensor board has quit. I pulled the sensor board out and hooked up my old relay to torch on and off on plasma machine to finish the project I was cutting. I was wondering if the THC300 would still control the heighth if I didn't have the switch working Thur the sensor board.  I found that after I unhooked it, that it was working better than I thought. I started to go Thur tips again. So I need to get it going again.
 Thanks
 Chuck