Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Claus on November 11, 2011, 03:08:04 PM
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Hello Gentlemen
I have a new home build 3 axis CNC router, i have now tried for countless hours to get the stepper motors to work but no luck.
all 3 stepper motors are completely dead.
PC is powerfull enough.
Latest version of Mach3
i have followed the set up accordingly ( both Software and hardware)
I have no e-stop or stop switches connected at all ( could it be that ?)
Motor is is NEma 23 stepper and breakout board is TB6560
When i turn on the PC ,3 small red led lights turns on on the board, when i start Mach 3 they go out.
Arrow keys works on the screen but no movement on axes
(http://[IMG]http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad36/boisen01/Billede008.jpg)[/img]
(http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad36/boisen01/Billede013-1.jpg)
Hope you guys can help me
Thanks
Claus
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Do you have the correct port address set? If you do then sounds like the wiring is not correct or your parallel cable is not a straight through 1:1
Hood
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Hello Hood
I have cheked the wiring 4 times now and it should be ok.
power input on the board is meassured to 24V
i have also cheked and meassured the printer cable and and it was also fine 1:1
Thanks
Claus
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Is the port address correct?
If you want to attach your xml I will look and see if your config is ok.
Hood
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Port is set to 0x378 and matches to lpt port on the PC.
I dont know how to attached the Xml file ?
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With Mach open look at the name of the profile on the main screen, lower right. Look in the Mach3 folder on your drive for a file with that name and a xml extension, copy it to your desktop and rename to Claus.xml then use the additional options button on the reply page to attach it to your message.
Hood
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Okay its calleed Grv ( Greenriver Guitars)
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Afraid that is a blank xml with no settings in it.
Hood
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Strange !!
What about this one?
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That looks more like it, see screenshot, you dont have the port number entered for X Y and Z step and dir pins.
Hood
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i have written 1 in all 6 colums but it still dosent work.
All parts are bought at Marchant Dice UK
Seller send me this PDF file ( please check)
i have tried set up 5 times on 2 diff PC incl what was missing now.
So it is very strange, i have been told that when the motors are on, they make a kind of noise, but until now they are dead silent.
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Looks to be right with your xml. If you have a voltmeter you can check the Dir pins of each axis to see if they are getting 5v or 0v depending on the dir you jog that axis.
Hood
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Thanks i´ll get a voltmeter tomorrow ( i dont have one)
and se it there is any voltage output on the cable.
Thanks
Claus
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Remember it is the port pins you are checking so check either on the computer with the cable unplugged from the port or at the board end of the cable.
Hood
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Hi Hood
I havent cheked the pins yet ( an electrician is comming over sunday)
although i think there is connection from the PS to th board.
When i turn on the PC, 3 small red led lights on the board are "on" ( powersupply to the board are not connected at this point)
so the board gets some power from the PC.
When i start MAch 3 the 3 lights goes out !!!
Maybe they are suppose to, or maybe not
What do you think ?
Claus
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Do you know what the LEDs are for?
Hood
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No . the board are a Toshiba TB6560
i am trying to find a manual where it is described .
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Dont know much about the TB boards I am afraid.
Hood
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Claus,
Just a thought but try configuring Mach / Ports & Pins / Motor Outputs as shown below. ( not sure why Mr Marchant gave you those pin numbers in the pdf ).
Tweakie.
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Another point I forgot to mention.
The pdf does not show an EARTH connection to the power supply incoming mains terminal block - this is incorrect, the power supply is technically class 1 insulated equipment and must be earthed (EU countries).
Tweakie.
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Hi Tweakie
Power supply are now grounded, and i have tried your setup.
But still the same.
Thanks
Claus
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Claus,
Did you manage to get your voltmeter checks done ??
Check the direction pins from your computer, as Hood said, you should get approx 5 Volts when jogging in one direction and approx 0 Volts when jogging in the opposite direction.
If you only get a maximum of 3.3 Volts then your existing combination of computer / controller is unlikely to work as is. Some options are to fit a PCI parallel port to the computer which has 5 Volt outputs or try another computer, get an improved quality controller such as the Gecko 540 or possibly use an external, USB operated, motion controller such as the Smooth Stepper.
Hope this helps.
Tweakie.
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Hi Tweakie
The Electrician had to cancel yesterday so i havent meassured anything yet.
On wendsday i am going to have all parts cheked by a guy here in DK. He has a similar system.
and is a exp Mach3 User.
So i hope we are able to locate the error.
Claus
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Hi Claus,
That sounds an excellent idea.
Please keep us informed of the outcome as this will no doubt be of help to those that follow.
I have read good reports and bad reports for this Chinese imported controller board and priced at around £30 GBP I am sure there are a lot in circulation.
Tweakie.