Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: pgh3 on January 29, 2011, 05:22:33 PM
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I am posting for the first time here, so please bear with me. I have been searching this and other forums for this particular problem, and although there is a similar topic earlier, there has been no suggestion of an answer.
Anyway, I've just finished setting up a 3040 Router (the Chinese version) with Mach3 and after a rather shakey start, I'm now at the stage where the X and Y motors are running sweetly; but not the Z axis.
It will only run in one direction regardless of which key is pressed.
I have swapped the pin allocation in Mach3-Config from either X or Y to Z and the same effect happens on that axis.
ie, if 2 & 3 are used for X and 4 & 5 are used for Y, leaving 6 & 7 for Z; I swap 2 & 3 with 6 & 7 - the single direction then applies to this 'new' axis.
This suggests that the signals from the PC are not getting through?
I've looked at the Config pages dozens of times, but nothing is leaping out that is obviously wrong. I've allocated different keys just to the Z axis, with the same single direction.
Has anyone had the same or similar problem with this?
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have you got either 6 or 7 duplicated on another axis
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No, looking at Config - Ports and Pins, it shows that each pin is unique and only appears once, Pin 1 up to Pin 7.
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I might mention here that I'm using the Demo version of Mach3 - could that be doing (or not) something?
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shouldn't make any difference
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can you wire the z axis to 8 and 9 and try that
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Can you attach your xml please.
Hood
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Yes, tried that, nothing happens when I press the +Z or -Z keys...
BUT! When I restored the Z axis back to 6 & 7, I get both directions !!! So it is now working correctly !!!
Not only an Angel but a Magician too!
What's going on here - I'm not comfortable when things that haven't been working suddenly start to work...
Ok, I'll attach the xml file
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Here is the xml file.
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Ok your problem is you have Port2 set for the Z Dir
Hood
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Port 1 is set to $H378 and Port 2 is left unchecked. Is this what you mean?
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No I am meaning you have Port 2 entered for the Z axis Dir pin, see screenshot of your xml.
Hood
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Yes, that was a trial to see the effects - and this means you have the wrong version of xml - sorry about that.
I have since closed Mach3 and reloaded it - all axes still work correctly - and I've included the current xml.
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If its working now then is it not likely that that was your problem previously? Will look at your xml but really not much I will see if its working.
Hood
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Yes, my thinking also - I'm puzzled because the only thing different between not working and working was a setting for Z of 8 & 9 and then back to 6 & 7, as per Angel Tech's suggestion.
And I'm afraid this is always going to be a possibility in this open-ended control system - that's why servos are so much better and expensive.
Again, thanks for your input and time. And yours, Angel Tech.
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I think I know what caused the problem before: I had selected ECP as a print mode in BIOS - it should have been EPP!
My computer has the option to select both and I have - the Z axis has been both directions ever since.
I thought I need to share this information here so that anyone else with a similar problem may get a clue...
Thanks to all for your help.
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Good to hear, thanks.
Hood