Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: runvar on October 25, 2012, 02:22:20 PM
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I have a 3-axis stage which is driven by a Stepnet ST3-055-04. (I have attached the link below for the .pdf with the specifications of the driver.)
I wanted to know if i could make mach3 work with the 3-axis stage? Will it be able to interact with the stage given the specifications of the driver?
I basically plan to use the stage as a CNC machine by controlling its movements through codes generated by a G code generator.
I have a separate stationary high speed spindle mounted with a tool which will help in the machining process.
I am a complete novice with mach3. Please forgive me if i have not given you clear information.
Eagerly looking forward to any help i can get on this.
Link for the specification page for Stepnet ST3-055-04
http://www.copleycontrols.com/Motion/pdf/ST3-ds.pdf (http://www.copleycontrols.com/Motion/pdf/ST3-ds.pdf)
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Looks to me like it doesnt accept Step/Dir signals but rather talks to the host controller by CANopen or RS232 so if that is the case then, no it wont work from Mach.
Hood
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Thanks a lot for the super quick reply :)
The specifications for this board says that it works with Mach3. Will it?
And also will this board be able to run the 3 axis stage that i have?
Any help on this is much appreciated.
Here is the link for the board.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-Controller-/270549461424 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Board-Controller-/270549461424)
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Yes it will work with Mach but these boards can be a bit hit or miss in quality and performance.
Hood
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Thanks a lot for the reply
Any suggestions on the boards that i can use?
Price is the only major constraint :)
Anything less than 300-440$ dollars is fine.
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Depending on the stepper size the Geckodrive G540 may be a good choice, they certainly are quality and get a good name
http://www.geckodrive.com/geckodrive-step-motor-drives/g540.html
Hood
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Look closely at the manual I see a reference to Pls/dir control as well as cw/ccw.
CoMMAND iNPUTS
CANopen bus control Operating Modes Profile Position, Interpolated Position(PVT), and Homing
Digital position reference Pls/Dir, CW/CCW Stepper commands (2 MHz maximum rate)
(Note 1) Quad A/B encoder 2 Mline/sec, (8 Mcount/sec after quadrature
Just a thought, (;-)TP
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Dont see any mention of it on the actual sockets so I presumed these signals must be via one of the control methods previously mentioned?
Hood
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I think they are programable through the Dig inputs ,, COULD be wrong but probably worth an email to Copley asking IF.
Digital logic inputs are programmable as limit & home
switches, stepper pulse inputs, A/B master encoder,
reset, motion abort, or motor over-temperature.
(;-) TP
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Yes just looked at the softwares manual and that does seem to be the case :)
Hood
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Thanks a lot for the reply guys.
So, can i make it work with the current copley controls drive? :)
Or will it be much easier for me to buy a new drive?
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That part would be up to you .
(;-) TP
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Yes the drives will work if you set them up via the software to use Step/Dir signals or Pulse/Direction as they call it. I looked in the software and its just a case of choosing that option.
Personally I would use them as they will be high quality drives.
Hood
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Hello Everyone
First of all..... Happy new Year to All..... :)
I have finally got a 3 axis controller - http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepp...roller-/270549461424
I was trying to set this up with the demo version of mach 3.
I had a few questions before i started on the process:
I have a Windows XP 32 bit machine. Will Mach3 be able to work on it?
Also, will i need to follow any other steps before i try and connect the controller to the stage?
Are there any extra precautions that i would need to take beforehand?
Looking forward to your help guys :)
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You may find not many will respond to questions on the TB6560.. It is of questionable quality and construction.
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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Yes Mach runs great on XP :)
Regarding the TB driver, really you have taken a big step back from the copely, as Terry says the TB drivers are poor at best, junk at worst, its pot luck I am afraid.
Hood
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Yes i heard about the quality factor of the board. :)
But i am only trying out this board to make sure my system works. :D
I will buy a better board once i can make my system work.
And also the copley board connected through a serial rs-232 port which i think would not have worked with CNC controllers since they require a parallel port or better?
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If I recall you just needed to connect the drive to the computer, probably by serial port to configure it in their software. Once configured it would accept the step/dir signals and no further need for the serial unless you wished to change something else in the drives parameters.
Some people find the TB boards to be ok, they will not be a patch on the copelys but they sometimes do the job. Worst thing about them is the documentation and the fact that one vendors board may use one configuration of pins and anothers different ones yet they tend to all ship with the same crap manual :D
Hood
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Yes i tried configuring the drive to accept step/dir signals but the particular model of copley control drive that i have is not configured to do that.
I talked to the guy at copley controls and he said that they had not released the step/dir feature for this drive. :(
I am new to this stuff, so an estimate how complicated or simple will it be for a completely noob to connect the board to the stage and configure it?
How will i need to start off with doing that? :)
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It is relatively easy to set up Mach if you have a look at the videos they should give you an idea. The hardest part will be if your TB manual gives you the wrong pinouts, if you are lucky it will tell you thr right ones.
Hood
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I got hold off a manual online which looks like they have the currect pinouts for the board. I will give it a try with that.
Also what will be the voltage and current selection for Nema 8 stepper motors?
I heard that the Nema 17 take 12 - 16V D. I am not sure about the Nema 8.
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You would have to look at your steppers manual or data sheet.
Hood
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This may be off topic but please bear with me. I tried contacting the supplier of the power system but they are not responding.
I currently use a ISP200 - 4 power supply to run a XYZ system with stepper motors. The copley controls stepper motor driver ST3-3 axis is powered by the ISP200.
The specification for the power supply is here - servosystems.com/ims_suppl_isp200.pdf
Will this power supply work with the new controller?
The new controller - www.ebay.com/itm/270549461424?ssPageName...id=p3984.m1423.l2649
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I would say its touch and go whether it would be ok or not, with the likes of Gecko drives the components are likely to be sized such that the voltage can be exceeded slightly. With the TB drives it may well be the opposite.
Hood
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Thanks a lot for all the help.
I am finally just about ready to connect the hardware and test it with mach3.
I have an externally controlled high speed spindle which will not be controlled by mach3.
The only parts that i am trying to control are the X,Y and Z axis in the stage.
Are there any suggestions on how to do this?
I am reading on the documentation for mach 3 and they mention how to test each axis.
Is it fine to follow the instructions on the manual and test the axis or is there another way that can be done?
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I would just do as the documentation suggests.
Hood
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Thanks a lot for all the help. :)
I finally set up the drives and the controller with mach3.
I have good motion in all the three axes but the problem is the stepper motors make a high pitch whining noise when they are switched on.
I used the auto set steps per unit to calibrate the axes.
I tried different acceleration and velocity settings but the sound persists.
Is it because of the power supply that i am getting this noise since the power supply has a high voltage than what is required.
Is there anything that i am missing out?
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Steppers tend to make noises when at standstill but some drives are worse than others. The Leadshine drives and Gecko drives I used there is next to no noise when stationary but I have heard the TB boards are particularly bad for it.
Hood
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Thanks again Hood. :)
Is it normal to make the motor turning noise when you are actually using the axes?
In the copley drive that i have, the stepper motors make no or very little noise even when the axes are working.
But i move the drive at micrometer resolution then so will that be the reason for no or low noise?
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Steppers are noisy when moving, they "sing" a different tune depending on speed of rotation. If they are squealing and not moving when meant to then they are stalling.
Hood
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I was thinking of ordering the Gecko 4 axis drive - http://www.geckodrive.com/geckodrive-step-motor-drives/g540.html
Is there a DC power supply that you can recommend that will be suitable for this drive?
Thanks
Varun
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I finalized on the DC power supply part of it. :)
But i had another question - :)
Will the Gecko drive work without any problem with Nema 8 stepper motors?
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You would be best emailing Gecko and they will keep you right.
Hood
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Thank You. :)
I did that and they replied saying that "Nema 17 is the minimum practical size motor to be used"
I guess that means i may have a problem with my Nema 8 stage. :(
Are there any controllers out there which support Nema 8 stepper motors?
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sorry dont know :(
Hood