Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Pendragon on November 22, 2011, 10:56:54 AM
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Hi I'm new to all of this and am having problems!
I am using Windows XP Professional on a Athlon XP3200+2.10GHz prossesor. My breakout board is a ZP5A-INT running PM542 motor drivers. The problem is :~ TheY axis and Z axis work okay but the X axis will not move. There are indicator LED's on the breakout board which illuminate when the Y and Z axis are running but the X axis not a flicker. In jog mode again the Y and Z axis run but not the X axis.
I thought the problem was a fault on the breakout board, it was returned to the suppliers who tested it and returned it with no faults.
Anyone any ideas.
Regards,
Pendragon
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If you attach your xml I can check your config. Other thing to check is that your port cable is 1:1 pin to pin.
Hood
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Hi Guys,
Here is the XML
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Do you have a link to the manual for your breakout board as the pin numbering for motor outputs is very unusual.
Hood
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Hood,
BoB is here http://www.slidesandballscrews.com/pdf/ZP5A-INT%20axis%20interface%20board%20manual.pdf
Tweakie.
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Thanks Tweakie,
Looks like pin assignen is correct according to that so what I would do is connect a volmeter to pin 14 and the Gnd next to it and jog the X one way then the other and see what you get, if anything.
Hood
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I have the same problem and I have changed controller card, LPT card, cables and checked configuration umpten times. If you want I can send my XML file but I can not do this until tomorrow. Everything works but x. If I move my motors from y or Z to x they do not work and if I move x to y or z they work. I have tried Win 7 32 bit same thing and also Win XP 32 bit same thing.
I will wait with good hope for your solution.
Th's from Sweden
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Hi Guys,
I've managed to come up with a solution. My breakout board is a 5 axis board so I so I reconfigured Mach3 to output the X axis to the A input on the breakout board, then connected the X axis motor controller to the A axis output. Seems to work fine!
I wonder though does this mean my parallel board is not working correctly ----- wonder if I ought to install a separate parallel board in my computer.
Regards,
Pendragon
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I do not have a breakout board so that would not work for me. I will try under Config> slave axis to put a slaved under X and then put the same 1;7 outpus on A. I will come back tomorrow when I have tried. BUT this is only a fix and does not solve the problem. I would still like to hear if anyone knows what the problem is.
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I have tried slaving a axis to x no go.
I have bought a new old PC with Win XP Updated to today. same thing. What am I doing wrong or what is wrong in Mach3??????????????
I have changed every thing but Mach 3 and I still get NO action on X axis but Y and Z work A-OK. I have done every thing according to the manual on when xp does not work including the f5 with new installation. Am I dumb dumb or what is wrong please help me!!!!
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What driver/breakout are you using?
Hood
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I am using
Dell dimesion 3000
XP installed with the Std PC configuration
NO breakout board
HYU68 3 axis
Mach3 supplied with my tabletop miller and uppdated
MY XML is attached
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Hi sverker,
You may like to sort out your license registration before proceeding http://www.machsupport.com/purchase.php ;)
Tweakie.
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I have removed the "old" Mach3 and all drivers and reinstalled the demo version. Same thing happens.
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. sorry mis -posted
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sverker,
Can you post info on your driver, English please, the Chinese version on the web is of no value to most of us.
I also suggest you search the internet about that drive. Not a Mach or pc problem , i am thinking...... but rather bad info on the drives.
RICH
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This is a link to where I bought it.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-1-5A-3A-/280767619973?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item415f0de385
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I have the same problem and I have changed controller card, LPT card, cables and checked configuration umpten times. If you want I can send my XML file but I can not do this until tomorrow. Everything works but x. If I move my motors from y or Z to x they do not work and if I move x to y or z they work. I have tried Win 7 32 bit same thing and also Win XP 32 bit same thing.
sverker,
From the tests you have made it seems that your Controller Board is damaged and the X Axis is not working. The problem could be an opto isolator so locate (follow the pcb tracks) which isolators relate to the X Axis and replace them (they are cheap and just plug in so easy to do). If that fails to cure the problem then, if you are good with a soldering iron, you could consider replacing the Toshiba TB6560 relating to the X Axis. Again not expensive but hardly worth doing for the price of a new board perhaps the best solution here would be to bin it and buy another board.
When you have it all working correctly perhaps you would consider purchasing a genuine Mach license to replace the Pirate licence you currently have. It is only by the users financial contribution to Mach that the software development keeps going, which is for the benefit of us all.
Tweakie.
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After having reinstalled and unistalled with Mach 3 demo Win Xp, XP professional, win 7 , win XP in that order I got the X axis running. BUT it does not start with out my help it often just stands there and shakes. NO change of components have been made on the driver board at all. What should I continue doing. Until I get the miller running in Demo I will not purchase Mach 3 . When it is running and it is stable YES I will buy it! Y and Z are working as before 100%
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HUM maybe we should use the same approach to helping you then ??? WHen you buy THEN we will help you.
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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The reason for me saying as I do is;
1. I did not realise that I had gotten a pirate from my mill supplier.
2. In my mind it is fairly normal to put out a "test" version or demo of a program and when the customer sees that it does what he/she wants then they by. If the demos/test do not work then there is of course no reason to by.
3. With good support to solve problems ALL THE MORE REASON to by.
That is why I say as I do.
But of course I have all respect if you are not interested. I would then go in search of other programs that are on the net for example EMC2 that is Linux based. So far I think that Mach 3 is better but I only need to see that it works.
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MANY THousands have already proven it works just fine.
SeeYA, (;-) TP
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Your problem will not be Mach, it will either be config or hardware, the latter being the most likely with the Chinese stuff I am afraid.
Hood
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Do you have any suggestions on a good controller card that I can get? In my mind the best would be a USB card but that will not work with Mach3 OR?
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You have drive/breakout combo board I think so you need to have drives for your steppers so the GeckoG540 would probably suit, its similar in that its a 4 axis and breakout combo but it differs in that the drives plug into the breakout board and can be replaced individually if required, that is unlikely though.
There are USB devices that work with Mach but they are controllers and not drivers so you would still need the drives anyway.
Hood
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sverker,
Frankly I suggest you go back and get a different board or ask for some help from the place you bought it from.
We can and are happy to help with configuration, etc, but with a driver board that's possibly "flacky" we can only do so much.
I would strongly suggest that you try "all" of the software controllers out there and you be the judge on what's best for you.
I surely wish you success once you decide on the controller.
You got a pirate copy and try to use it , known or unknown to you, and that in itself creates problems.
How could you think that for the price you paid a Mach license would be included?
All in all seems you got what you paid for,
RICH
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I honestly did not have a clue as to what these programs costed before I started with this. The reason I bought the miller in the first place was to make small mode airplane parts that were expensive to by in Carbon. Now it seems that (disregarding the learning I am getting) this is a very expensive way to go. I am stubborn so now I want to learn, that is why I have not thrown it out. It is bought on eBay and after checking prices there for same equipped millers this was in the normal range with motors frame and controller.