Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: h8ers_suck on August 24, 2013, 02:47:55 PM
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I am very new to mach 3 and purchased a bridgeport with an old unlicensed version of mach 3. It was working fine but I needed a full version of mach 3, so I purchased one and updated mach 3 as well. Now I can't get anything to work; can someone please give me some advise.
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Did you just overwrite your original install or did you delete it or possibly even install to a different location?
Hood
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I did an uninstall of the existing software then reinstalled the new version. I believe it is in the same location "default" on the C:\
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Ok so did you keep a hold of your xml? That is the file that holds all of your configuration settings.
If not you will have to set up all your ports and pins etc again.
Hood
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I saved the xml file; however, that doesn't seem to be helping at all. I might not have grabbed the right one??? I have no idea what the settings are supposed to be. I have found a few things no internet and now the e-stop seems to be responding but can't get anywhere with the drives.
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Can you attach the xml you saved and I will see what it looks like.
Hood
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here it is
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The above file is believed to be the original, I had to rename it to get it to upload.
I was also looking around in the config - ports and pins menu and noticed that the x,y,z axis were not setup. I have no idea what the pinout on the board is.
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That would seem to be the wrong xml you saved as it is basically blank.
If you do not have the old Mach folder with the correct xml then you will have to set up an xml from scratch.
Do you know what hardware you have,things like breakout boards, drivers, steppers or servos etc?
Hood
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That is what I figured. The machine is pretty much stock with a hillbilly BOB. Is that enough information or do I need specifics? I know it has stock steppers and pulleys.
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Your old xml isn't in you recycle bin is it? or did you dump the lot off the machine? just a thought. Jim
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Ok well someone else posted their xml for a BP with the HillBillyBob so it may well do, I will see if I can link you to the post.
Hood
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Ok here you go, hopefully it will work for you.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,25290.msg178580.html#msg178580
Hood
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Hood,
Thank you for all your assistance with this. I was deployed last minute and just got back to continue working on this. Please excuse my lack of knowledge with this. So I opened the link that you sent and found a file called "bridgeport again" in the 3rd post. I assume I just need to rename that file and place it in the Mach3 folder? Thanks for all your assistance.
While I was gone I also tried numerous time to email the contact I found for the Hillbilly BOB, I didn't receive anything in return. Does anyone know if he is still in business?
Thanks again,
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You can just place that xml in your Mach3 folder then use the Mach3 Loader to open Mach, you will then get a list of all xml's that are in the Mach folder and Bridgeportagain should be in the list, just choose it and see if it works for you.
Hood
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I loaded it just like you stated and it still didn't move any of the axis. Any idea where to look now?
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Suppose its back to basics and start checking signals coming out of the parallel port then if they are fine move to the end of the cable and then just work your way through. A scope would be best for that but a volt meter should show at least some quite easily.
Hood
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Do you have any schematics, print outs, instructions, anything that can guide me along the way? I have no clue what pins would go to what drives. Are you still thinking this is a software issue? As I stated the machine worked great before I upgraded Mach 3.
Thanks again
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Afraid I know nothing of the HillBilly Bob
If I recall it uses MaxNC mode and thus the pins are defined and can not be changed, so if that xml worked for the guy in the other post it should work for you. Assuming of course you have the correct port address.
Hood
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Thank you for all your help.
I don't want to assume anything with this because I know very little about how it works. Can you walk me through how to verify I have the correct port address?
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The xml you downloaded is using the standard address for an onboard parallel port, if that is what you are using then chances are it is correct, if however you have a PCI parallel port then the address will almost certainly be wrong. To see what address you need you will have to look in device manager at the port resources and see what the address is.
Hood
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I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on the latest developing from this. I was able to find a document online that proved somewhat valuable in getting the machine moving. Or maybe it was the "bridgeport again.xml" file. I started everything up as normal and attempted to jog the machine with no luck. However, I started to lean on the table while pressing the jog button and noticed that it was jolting every time I pressed the jog button.
I believe the table was moving but not like it originally was. I think it/is moving maybe .0001 every time I press and or press and hold the jog button. Whereas previously if I pressed and held the jog button it would continuously move the table. What is normal?
Does anyone have any settings that they found to be the most efficient without losing any steps for the motor tuning?
I finally got a hold of the Darek at ashburn@icx.net and I am very disappointed in him. I have been trying to reach him for months. I have reached out to numerous other manufactures and they have done so much to help me get this going again. But Darek would not offer ANYTHING!!! I asked very specific questions and all he would do is pass along some links that no longer exist. And when specifically asking for answer to the questions he said he didn't have any answers. To say the least if board breaks I will never replace it with a hillbilly BOB.
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Press the tab key on your keyboard and in the pop out side window, change the Jog Mode to Cont.
Hood