Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Marcin81 on March 26, 2011, 10:26:07 PM
-
Hello to All,
I just bought cnc router on ebay about 2 weeks ago and I can not get my step motors to spin. I am completely new to all cnc and I just spend last 6h on this forum to try to work out what may be wrong with my router but even on other posts with similar problem I could not find the solution so please help. Here is the link to the cnc that I bought http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160554745917&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
I already change my win7 to win xp as I thought that may be a problem but still no luck. I set up mach3 with the instruction that was on the cd with the router ( images in the attachment ). The motors are locked and make some kind of noise but they don turn at all. I also already try to play with different settings in mach3 but the motor didn't move when I press arrow keys to jog. Also the spindle is running and when I pres reset button it stops so looks like something is working but I have no more ideas how to get step motors to move. I appreciate any help.
Thank You,
Marcin
-
First thing is drop the kernel down from 100KHz to 25 as that may give you more headaches than you want, start low and increase if you have to.
Will look at the docs in a bit but if you can attach your xml it may help me find a problem. Also are you using the motherboards port or do you have a PCi parallel port?
Hood
-
Just a couple of thoughts, things you may already have tried but.....
1) Try selecting the 'Sherline 1/2 pulse mode'
2) Try changing the axis step to 'active low' in ports and pins
3) Check you are getting the full TTL level (0 to 5Volts) outputs from your parallel port pins (this is best measured on the axis direction pins only)
4) Check your parallel cable is good (continuity pins 1 to 1, 2 to 2 etc)
Tweakie.
-
Hello and thank You for reply,
I changed kernel down to 25 but nothing is happening. Also I have tried steps 1,2 and 4 as twieakie suggested but I am not sure which pins to check on my parallel port. The router is connected to PP on my motherboard. Also this is strange that the spindle is running when the reset button is flashing which is an emergency mode and If I am not wrong everything should stop when you press this button but here is the other way round the spindle start to run and the step motors start making buzz noise. Is not coming sens to me.
Thank You,
Marcin
-
Have sent you a PM.
Hood
-
I did new installation of mach3 and here is new xml file. The set up is as on the picture but nothing is changed so far. The parallel port dose not show bigger voltage the 3.3V on any of the pins.
Thanks,
Marcin
-
3.3v is likely correct as a lot of parallel ports nowadays are just 3.3v.
What to do is as Tweakie said by checking the voltage on the Direction pins direct on your port. You should see 0v when you jog one way and 5v (possibly 3.3v) the other.
I do notice in your xml you have pin 2 set for both Step and Dir of X, the dir should be 3 in the above docs.
Hood
-
Also you have the limits set to port 11, 12 etc, set them to Port 1 Pin 11, Port 1 Pin 12 etc.
Hood
-
I set all to be port 1 but still nothing. Also there is something strange with the pins on my PP sometimes they show 3.3V but sometimes 0V. Also when I jog there is very minimal change on the voltage from 0.05V to 0.09V bit no movement at all.
Marcin
-
Ok but check on the computer and on the direction pins as you jog mach one way or the other. Put your meter between Pin 3 and pin 25 on the port then jog the X via keyboard the voltage should change as you change direction, same if you put on pin 5 and jog Y and pin 7 and jog Z.
If you are not getting that then you are either connecting to the wrong pins on the port, easy to do but if you look at the pic below this is what you will see as you look at the back of the computer. If you are connecting your meter to the correct pins then make sure you have the correct port address set by looking in device manager.
Hood
-
That looks good, now we tested the pins and the voltage is changing from 0V to 3.3V when I jog from - to +. It works for all X,Y,Z but nothing happening with the step motors.
Marcin
-
It depends on the type of Opto Isolators fitted to your controller board but some of the China made boards require the full 5 volt TTL signals from the parallel port and are unreliable at 3.3 Volts operation.
Do you perhaps have another PC you could try.
Tweakie.
-
Hi,
I just opened the controller box and I found the name of the board which is TB6560-3V2. I will try to test on m friend PC now and see what will happen.
Thanks,
Marcin
-
Hello,
I have tried to another PC and all works great, step motors moving. Is there a way to change output to 5V on my P Port or what I have to do to make the router work on my PC.
Thank you all for help !!!
-
If your PC has a spare PCI slot you can buy a PCI parallel port card with 5 Volt outputs.
Tweakie.
-
I do have, would you please give my some recommendations ? Just want to make sure I will buy the right card.
Thanks,
Marcin
-
I believe the CNC4PC board A25 has 5 Volt outputs but check with them first.
Tweakie.
-
Great, thank you all for support !!!
-
Hi Marcin,
The controller you have is TB6560 based. Seems your problem is related step signal. Try the following:
- Activate E-Stop mode and check if all the motors are unlocking
- Set the kernel speed to 25KHz. Note: you must not use higher than 35K for this board.
- Save the config and exit mach3.
- Start Mach3, check if you can jog.
If problem exists then it is related to your board:
- Unplug the controller. Set the corrent setting to MAX.
- Plug the LPT interface and power cable.
- Carefully identify the PIN 3 of the main IC (under the heatsync) for any axis. Connect a volt meter at this pin.
- Jog from Mach3, you'll notice a variable volt...
-
Hello,
Thank you for the post. I found the problem which is parallel port on my PC. As Tweakie said this controller needs to be plugged in into 5V output PP and my has only 3.3V output but I have tried on other PC and everything woks perfect.
Marcin
-
Marcin81 what port card did you install.? I believe I have the same issue.
-
Hello,
I had parallel port already on my motherboard which has 3.3V output. I didn't install PCI parallel port yet on my PC but I found some information that may help you. There is few different PCI slots which are operating on different voltage. Look on the picture in the attachment and see what PCI slots you have on your motherboard and you will know what card will work on 5V PCI slot and that I think will give you 5V output on the PCI parallel port. I hope that helps.
Thanks,
Marcin
-
Also here is the link to ebuy page where I bought PCI parallel port card that should operate on 5V and 3.3V PCI slot. The card is very inexpensive so is worth to give a try.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170620917866&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
Marcin
-
Thanks