Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: INetCoder on May 05, 2013, 01:05:53 PM
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I've read many posts here on these forums and it's been quite helpful. I'm making this post to list out my ABC's for getting things up and working with Mach3, hopefully this helps anyone else out there having challenges with their new YOOCNC machine setup.
A
First and formost, ensure you have your LPT port setup correctly.
After opening Mach3, under the menu item Config/Ports and Pins ensure the checkbox "Port Enabled" under Port #1 is checked
And ensure it is set to a default port address 0x378 (If address is different, ensure that address is entered here)
B
Ensure your Kernel Speed is set correctly
Before this step, it is best to perform step C first, then a reboot of your machine so your environment can report accurate results to Mach3.
In the C:\Mach3 directory, run DriverTest.exe
Watch the display here, it will display a number that you will want to use.
Under the menu item Config/Ports Kernel Speed, ensure you select a Kernel Speed that is less than or equal to what DriverTest reported.
C
Disable all startup programs and services you do not need to run, this is very important because this can have negative effects on Mach3.
Click on Start/Run then type in msconfig hit enter.
This Microsoft utility will allow you to configure what starts when you boot your machine.
The Startup tab lists all processes that will be started when your machine starts, disable the ones you do not need. I disabled most of mine, but be cautious here, your computer or hardware may need something here in order to run. So go through your documentation and ensure you do not need a specific process before disabling anything here. Unchecking an item here will prevent it from starting up.
The services tab is also an area where you must be sure you do not need if you uncheck it, look at documentation or google your machine model and make sure you do not need anything you are disabling, I disabled most all my services and most all of my Startup processes.
After you make a change, do a re-boot.
D
Now your machine should be clean
You must ensure your port and pin assignments are correct
Menu Item Config/Ports and Pins under the Motor Outputs Tab ensure your pin settings are as follows:
| Signal | Enabled | Step Pin | Dir Pin | Dir LowActive | Step Low Active | Step Port | Dir Port |
X Axis | Checked | 2 | 3 | UnChecked | Checked | 1 | 1 |
Y Axis | Checked | 4 | 5 | UnChecked | Checked | 1 | 1 |
Z Axis | Checked | 6 | 7 | UnChecked | Checked | 1 | 1 |
After making any changes here, it is best to close Mach3 and re-open it.
E
At this point, you should be able to manually navigate your machine when Mach3 is running, try to hit the left/right arrow keys on your keyboard.
If it doesn't move as expected, but you hear a noise, that means Mach3 Jog mode is currently set to Step
Hit the TAB key on your keyboard, and click the Jog Mode button and make sure the yellow light under Cont (Continuous), then click TAB again
Now hit your arrow keys on your keyboard, Left arrow key should move your gantry to the left on your machine (X Axis),
Right should move right (X Axis)
The Up/Down arrow keys will move along the (Y Axis)
The Page-Up/Page-Down keys will move the Spindle up and down
Note, pay close attention to the direction of movement, if you notice Z Axis is moving down when hitting page up, you must reverse this.
F
Now, lets tune up the motors and timing of your system.
Menu item Config/Motor Tuning
Here you will see a graph showing the Acceleration and Velocity of your motors and Steps, this is important because the screws on your machine are of a specific measurement and if these settings are not correct, you could find your machine locking up or "walking" out of your milling jobs.
For the YOOCNC 6040Z here are my settings:
X Axis
Steps Per: 320
Velocity: 2499.8
Acceleration: 300
Step Pulse: 3
Dir Pulse: 2
Y Axis
Steps Per: 320
Velocity: 2499.8
Acceleration: 300
Step Pulse: 3
Dir Pulse: 2
Z Axis
Steps Per: 320
Velocity: 799.8
Acceleration: 200
Step Pulse: 3
Dir Pulse:2
G
Time to Roll - Prepare the table
Now you are ulmost ready to use your machine for your first job. You should make a backing board for your machine. My first time, I just used a
3/4 inch MDF scrap that I cut out to fit the cutting area of my table. Use a backing board so you do not cut all the way through into the table.
Once you have your board attached, it would be good to make a pocket job about 1/8 inch deep. Once you've done this, the board is now true to the Z Axis.
I hope all of this helps, because my trial and error has taken over three weeks before I finally got every working perfectly.
If anyone needs any insights, ideas or simply want to follow what I'm up to, I have a youtube page that I will use to share my CNC Journey.
Join here: http://www.youtube.com/user/INetCoder (http://www.youtube.com/user/INetCoder)
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Hi,
I have a question for you and I wonder if you can help me?
I have a 6040 CNC machine I have loaded Mach3 onto my computer and I have used these settings above. The issue in having is the stepper moater keys used on the program work on the computer but not on the table.
Could you please if possible send me screenshots of all the settings that you are using??
Thank you! =]
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B
Ensure your Kernel Speed is set correctly
Before this step, it is best to perform step C first, then a reboot of your machine so your environment can report accurate results to Mach3.
In the C:\Mach3 directory, run DriverTest.exe
Watch the display here, it will display a number that you will want to use.
Under the menu item Config/Ports Kernel Speed, ensure you select a Kernel Speed that is less than or equal to what DriverTest reported.
It's not necessary to set your kernel speed any higher than what you need. If you do you are just putting the PC under more "pressure" than is necessary. Up until recently I made this mistake myself, thinking faster is better. After finding out that I should set my kernel speed for the minimum that will be necessary I calculated my maximum steps per second at my table rapid speed and found it to be well below the slowest kernel speed of 25 Khz.
So now even if my driver test is perfect up to 100 Khz, I only set the kernel speed to 25 Khz, and hopefully have a more stable / reliable Mach3 in the process.
Keith.
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Hi,
I have a question for you and I wonder if you can help me?
I have a 6040 CNC machine I have loaded Mach3 onto my computer and I have used these settings above. The issue in having is the stepper moater keys used on the program work on the computer but not on the table.
Could you please if possible send me screenshots of all the settings that you are using??
Thank you! =]
G'day,
I have also a 6040Z USB 1,500W spindle and only today I manage to get my first job done successfully, after 2 weeks of hell, all due to the CD with al programs and instructions wasn't in the box and everytime I was sent the files by email, they would get corrupted.
While I struggle still with so many issues related to understanding and operation the CNC correctly, I do recall to have seen a Youtube video made by the Mach3 people where, he talks about that very issue and how to resolve it, the answer is in the beginning of this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5bWH_ET3E4
Good luck
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I am setting up my new 6040z Christmas gift today and following the above document. Thank you very much BTW.
I can get the motor to spin, (found out by trial and error) but can not get any of the X,Y or Z to move. I have everything plugged in per the labels on the cables and figure if something was plugged in wrong, I would at least get some movement. I can get everything to move easily using the stepper knobs, so I doubt they are bound up. I have checked the connections and all seem snug. Missing something simple I am sure, but this is my first time setting one of these up and figured I would ask before charging forward. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
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Hi Sabre,
I recall to have had exactly the same experience and, I'm trying to remember what I did to make all axis move using the keyboard keys so, I may start but asking you, from whom did you get the machine from and what documents/files did they gave you to set the machine up...?
I do recall that, I did miss more than once to follow the correct instructions on how to download and install the software, the seller should have sent you a set of instructions on how to make the Match3 software under the manufacturer's licence, allowing you also to get all the settings on Match3 to be done automatically when the software is installed correctly.
Knowing the exact model and seller of your machine, the instruction manuals are slightly different but, in my search to learn what I had, I got all the various manuals printed so that I could see the differences, and I can tell you, there are a few.
Don't stress though, you will get it sorted, sooner or later...!
Cheers
George
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CNCShop on Amazon was the seller.
6040z-S65J
No manual provided. Just one folded page with some info and photos. see below
Software disk appears to be a copy, not original. No instructions, just hit the exe and let her load up
I found the original post here and began following it to set up. then read the part about, "you should be able to move it now with keyboard", but I couldn't lol
Any help or memory of how to fix would be greatly appreciated.
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G'day,
I can't see what is in the images, they show far too small so, and because I may need to send you some PDF files, I would suggest that, you send me an email to, nyodine@yahoo.com.au
Cheers
George
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Will do. Thanks
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Hello Everyone,
Not a good morning so far here in Texas. I removed the mach 3 software that came with the unit and downloaded and reinstalled the newest version of Mach 3 from the website. Followed the information on this page as well as trying different information a member provided to me, but am still not getting the unit to work from keyboard.
I proved that while the controller is powered OFF I can move the motors easily by hand. When I turn the controller on, it becomes difficult. That being said, I think the power to the motors is working. I can test, ramp up and slow down the spindle from the control box. but not the keyboard.
Have tried the settings that came with the unit. The settings that a member provided in the 6040z doc and another set that I downloaded via the internet. we have replaced the keyboard to rule that out, verified the manual e-stop is disengaging and that the software e-stop is turned off, not blinking. Have checked and rechecked all of the connections.
When using the keyboard, the numbers on the screen do not move, though I think that they did using the software that came with the unit, before I deleted and downloaded the latest.
Not sure what i am missing here, but any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
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Hi mate,
Sorry to hear that, you are still having troubles but, 2 things you mentioned that will be important to mention...!
The very first one is that, when the controller is off, the motors should turn very easily, and as you said BUT, if the controller and mill are communication right, as soon as you turn the controller ON, the motors (all of them) should lock and you shouldn't be able to turn the knobs at all, in fact, you can hear the "knock" sound from the motors, when the controller is switched on.
As for the inability to get the axis to move from your computer keyboard, that was exactly what happened to me when, I tried to used my Toshiba laptop with Windows XP, this was what I intended to use with my CNC because I purchased a USB machine however, and after all attempts, I decide to try a old desktop computer I had also with windows XP, and as soon as I did that, the keyboard become alive when the Mach3 software is open on the computer screen, all axis started moving as they should.
I suggest that, you try to find another desktop computer with the old Windows XP installed and try to connect the controller to it. It may be something not right with the desktop computer you are using now, you don't have anything to lose by trying another computer and see what happens.
ANd while talking of computer communication with the CNC controller, I just remembered that, you have to set the Mach3 software to the correct port of your computer and you have to make sure, that port is active.
It seems to me that, the controller and computer are not communicating and that,is all part of the "Ports and Pins" initial settings when the Mach3 software is downloaded into the computer shown on page 28 of the PDF file I sent you, the one that says "CNC-6040-Router-Engraver-System-Installation-Manual - Parallel"
There are also a number of YouTube clips made by the Mach3 team and they do explain well all the steps require, I don't recall with clip mentions this info but, you will be able to find it buy looking on this link, https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mach3+cnc+control+software+tutorial
Good luck and Happy New Year..!
George
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UPDATE
Well I did say the solution would be simple. I deleted the MACH3 software and then reinstalled it WITHOUT the cable connected to the controller. Once completed, I rebooted the PC to make sure the settings stuck, then turned off the unit. Plugged in the controller to the PC and then rebooted. Now i have keyboard control. Scared the crap out of me when it took off. I was not expecting it to work. :) Thanks for the help and suggestions.
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We are still unable to get the spindle to control via Mach3 software. Not sure if it is a setting within the Mach3 or a setting within the controller that needs to be changed. I can control the spindle if I put it in local run on the controller as the video shows
Any help on how to get the Mach3 software to run it or what controller function needs to be changed to allow it, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
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Sabre,
I am in the same boat... I picked up a chinacnczone 6040z second hand (brand new never used, the guy couldn't figure it out). I finally loaded the drivers to get it to work USB with Mach3, but the x and z both move in the wrong direction in relation to which key is pressed.... and the spindle is not turning on.
Did you ever get yours worked out?
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I've been trying to get my 6040 working since Feb. At first it seemed to be working cut the demo portion of the roadrunner. Then it failed. The Z axis would not cut into the material and it seemed like the movement was about 1/2 inch circle. I since dumped the Chinese controller and built my own control box using the best gear available. Gecko G540, Mean well 48V 12.5A PSU, 4 connector shielded cable. I was confident it was going to work. I've tried everything I can think of and I'm stumped. I'm able to jog the axis, although my X axis had to be reversed.
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Posted too soon. Meant to add, Does anyone have any ideas what it could be?
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Hi,
if you are using a Gecko 540 then you are using a parallel port...is this correct? What PC and OS are you using? Are you sure that the OS is 32 bit?
If so please run DriverTest,exe and post a screen shot of the result screen.
Craig
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Hi Craig, I'm using a UC100 to interface with the Gecko. I'm running W7 64 bit. That's supposed to work with the UC100. I have a Mean Well 48V 12.5A PSU. It's got to be something simple. I've tried so many different setups in Mach3 that I'm getting confused. I'm going to star over and see what happens. My motors are working fine. They're responding to my keyboard, although the X axis had to be reversed.
Thanks for the reply
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Hi,
so is the machine working or not?
Is Mach3 lincenced or not? In demo it will run for 500 lines before stopping.
Along the very top of the screen it should say 'Mach3 CNC ******************x' where ****************** is the name of th licence.
Craig
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I'm running the demo. I did notice one thing this afternoon that doesn't seem right. While jogging the Z axis and watching the DRO they went from - to + in the middle of pressing page up. I'm pretty sure that's not right, but not sure how to change that. I don't have homing or limit switches and probably won't. I will set up soft limits after I get things running correctly.
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Hi,
depending on where the 'zero' is that may not be a problem.
If currently the Z axis is 25mm lower than the current Z zero it will show in the Z DRO as -25.
As you jog upwards the Z DRO wil become increasingly more positve through -20, -15, -10, -5,
eventually 0 and then 5, 10 etc.
Soft limits only work when your machine is referenced, also called homed. That requires home switches.
Craig
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Thanks for the reply. So I guess I'm back to square one. Would setting up soft limits have any affect on my situation?
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I thought the way the Z worked is that from it's lowest point and going to it's highest would all be + and page down would be -.
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Hi,
I thought the way the Z worked is that from it's lowest point and going to it's highest would all be + and page down would be -.
Its common that the machine coordinate of the uppermost Z position is zero. All operations on Z are conducted
at negative Z MACHINE co-ordinates. That is effectively the same as what you have proposed. Its just that at its
lowest it starts a high negative number and becomes increasingly less negative as it moves upwards.
The DROs however are usually displaying WORK coordinates. Usually you would 'zero' Z at the surface of the material.
Thereafter any positive Z coordinate (remember work coordinate) is above the material and any negative (again
work coordinate) is cutting into the material and you need to concentrate.
Would setting up soft limits have any affect on my situation?
Without home switches to reference your machine soft limits are worse than useless, they will fault out all the time
and confuse you. I highly recommend you fit home switches. It was the best and possibly cheapest addition to my mill.
Craig
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I was using the original Chinese control. It's hard to remember, but I know at one point, when running the demo it cut the material like it should. Something happened and would not plunge into the material and the pattern that it followed didn't appear to follow the roadrunner. I gave up and got a new enclosure with a Gecko G540, mean well 48v 12.5a PSU, rewired the steppers. After all that it's still not working. I can jog XYZ with my keyboard, but can't run a job. I'm baffled. I must be doing something wrong in Mach3. Just can't seem to figure it out. Motors are (X 23 green green 1 1) (Y 45 red green 1 1) (Z 67 red green 1 1). X had to be reversed. Inputs are just the Estop (enabled 1 15 red red). No outputs. Motor tuning was based on Axis calibration. X (400 2800.2 11.6675 3 2) Y (384 2800.2 17.132161 3 2) Z (182.8571429 2800.2 300 3 2). Don't know if I'm missing something. I'm wondering if I may have a defective UC100.
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Hi,
when you installed the UC100 did you have to install the communication software that accompanies it?
Craig
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Hi,
the numbers that you have listed suggests to me that your native units are mm. Would you please confirm that
Machs native units agree.
Craig
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Yes they are MM.
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I used the install from CNCBASIS the sellers of the UC100. Mach3 seems to like it.
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I just wrote CNCBASIS asking if the UC100 might be my problem.
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Hi,
the Roadrunner program is in inches. A g20 code should allow the program to run on a metric machine though. You should try some other tests before worrying about the Roadrunner.
Jog the machine to roughly the center of the table and zero X, Y, and Z.
MDI:
G0 X100
X0
X100
X0
That should cause the X axis to move back and forth 100mm. Does it do it?
Do the same thing with the Y axis:
G0 Y100
Y0
Y100
Y0
Now you need to make sure the Z axis works:
G0 Z50
Z0
Z50
Z0
Let us know how you get on.
Craig
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Can't believe it. It ran and cut. I used g20 and then ran the roadrunner. Worked. I think I might redo everything (reload nach3) and set it ton inches. Probably better off.
Thanks so much for your help, although not sure if I'm out of the woods yet, But going to have a martini.
Thanks again.
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Hi,
NO!....don't do that. There is no need. If you are happy in metric leave it that way.
If you have a Gcode job in inches you code G20 at the beginning and Mach will interpret the numbers as inches.
If you have a Gcode job in mm then code G21 at the beginning and Mach will interpret the numbers as mm.
Craig
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How does one know what the units are? and why wouldn't Newfangled Solutions caution folks about that. I've been trying to get it to work since Feb this year. You solved my problem in one post. I agree, although I'm in the US, I think metric is so much easier than standard. No fractions to deal with.
Thanks so much again. I hope some day, I'll be able to help others the way you helped me. This a great site with great people.
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Hi,
this is a Gcode problem not a Mach3 problem.
To be effectective at CNC you are going to have to become familiar with reading Gcode. There are online tutorials.
Or 'The CNC Handbook' by Peter Smid is sort of the CNC bible.
Craig
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I was going to post images of my Gecko build, but having some issues. Will return.