Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Fall_guy on September 11, 2013, 12:40:05 PM
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Hi Everyone,
SPECs: Heiz S-720, Heiz control unit linked to PC via Parallel port and PCI card. PC: running Windows 7 (32bit) and latest version MACH 3
I've setup MACH 3 to the best of my knowledge and checked things over and over, but whenever I Test the motors in (via the ARROW keys) the X Axis will only move in one direction (X++).
However the X axis window on the Mach 3 interface, does indicate a X-- (negative number) as well as a X++ (positive number) when the left arrow and right arrow keys are depressed.
BOTH the Y and Z axis operate as expected when jogged by the up/down arrow keys and page-up/down keys respectively.
I've re-installed Mach 3 several times now and made sure I re-booted after installation, but the same problem exist. >:(
Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks
(Newbie)
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A lot of times this is caused be a weak parallel port. Measure the voltage on the X axis direction pin at the drive when moving back and forth. It should be 0V in one direction, and 5V in the other.
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Does the same thing happen when you activate MPG option using the TAB key and then use the mouse on the direction icons? If the axis works in both direction using this option then its a hot key setting or your keyboard is that's the problem. If the same error occurs then try assigning the pin setting you are using for the Y axis to the X axis. If the X axis then moves in both directions and the fault moves to the Y axis then its a wrong step pin or direction pin assignment or as Gerry says port voltage problems. Remember to make a note of the pin settings before you change them so you can put them back. Finally check the wiring from the BOB and stepper drives for loose connections. Try these first and reply to the forum with what happened giving members more information then they should be able to advise you further
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Check for loose Dir connection between BOB and motor driver. I had the same problem with my Z and it was a loose wire.
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Many Thanks for advice guys,
Jimthefish, I have swapped the X and Y axis pins around as you suggest, however when operating the shuttle (via the tab key) when I depress the direction arrow keys on the shuttle the X axis still moves in only one direction. (BOTH the Z and Y axis ..... even when the pins have been swapped, work in BOTH directions). Jim bearing in mind this is ALL completely new to me, am I correct in thinking I do not have/use a BOB (Breakout Board) with my set-up?.
PC --- Linked to Heiz step controller unit via Parallel cable. --- Heiz step controller unit is then connected to the Heiz S-720 cnc machine via cables supplied.
Gerry, Have now received a multi meter which I ordered in order to carry out your suggested Voltage test. Could you please confirm in more detail what I should do exactly to check the voltage. Gerry, do I check this 5 volts pins at the end of the Parallel cable after detaching it from the Step-Controller unit. Or should I be removing the cable which feeds the X axis stepper motor at the OUTPUT end of the Heiz Step-Controller unit. Also should Mach3 be operational during testing.
Sorry for being such a numb nuts ................ but the whole world of CNC is completely new to me.
Many, Many thanks for your patience and time.
John
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You can measure it at the end of the parallel cable from the PC, or the actual parallel port on the PC. You want to measue the X DIR pin. With Mach3 running, you need to measure the pin while jogging in both directions.
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Guys,
Just one other thing Ive come across is in the Motor-plug diagram attached where it stipulates: " if the spin direction is wrong it can be changed using the software. Just thought it might help in someway.
Regards
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Thanks Gerry for the quick reply, I will do as you suggest shortly and post my results.
Have a good day
John
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Hi Gerry, guys
Here are my results from the voltage test. The test was carried out by using the PINS at the end of the connected parallel cable. (Parallel cable still connected to the PC, via a PCI card and disconnected from the Heiz controller unit)
The set-up:
Pin 2 - (my X axis control pin)
Pin 3 - (my X axis step pin)
Pin 25 - used as Ground
RESULTS: (when using the Shuttle direction X- and X+ keys)
Pin 2:
X- = -0.01 V
X+ = 0.10 V
Pin 3:
X- = 0.02 V
X+ = 0.02 V
Hope this helps Gerry.
Regards
John
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Do the test again using the keyboard jog keys (arrows).
On the direction pin, you should see 5V in one direction, and 0V in the other direction. Because you're not getting 5V, it's not changing direction.
The DIR pin is the only one you need to check (pin2)
I'd also check the dir pins for the Y and Z axis and see what you get there. If those work, than you may have a faulty port.
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Hi Gerry,
Ok the Voltage Test results when using the keyboard keys are as follows:
Pin 4: - Y- = 3.30 v
Pin 4: - Y+ = 0.00 v
Pin 6: - Z- = 3.30 v
Pin 6: - Z+ = 0.00 v
Ive checked the drivers for the PCI ECP Parallel Port and they are working properly and the driver is up to date. Do you suspect the PCI card is faulty?
The Pci card I purchased for the Parallel Port is Brand NEW and the test Ive done appear to suggest that the card is functioning as expected.
I really appreciate your Help on this Gerry.
Kind Regards
John
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You should be seeing the same results on the X pin, so it would appear that the card may be faulty. If you're checking at the cable, you should check at the port to make sure the cable isn't the issue.
Also, it appears that you have a 3.3V parallel port. While some drives will work with 3.3V, some require 5V for proper operation.
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Hi Gerry, guys
Have checked my PCI card and its a Universal 3v/5v card (Has the 2 notches on it) .......... also the PCI slot its been inserted in, appears to be 5v only according to the manual. ( the notch/bridge on the motherboard PCI slot is furthest away from the rear of the PC ) so I think this is 5v.
Have tested the Parallel cable and seems OK with a continuity test. So I am completely baffled why 3.3volts are being indcated.
Is there anyway to confirm/test that my M/B PCI slot is definitely outputting 5v?
Any guidance or advice would be a GREAT help.
Many Tanks
John
For ref: running Windows 7 32bit on a DELL 710 XPS tower
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If you are measuring the voltage on the Dir pins and Gnd and it is 3.3v then that is what your card is putting out.
Hood
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Your parallel cable should be getting 5v. Computers use 12v and 5v out of the power supply. Check power supply output in the computer at an un-used plug. If not delivering 5v your power supply is bad. If that is good and the parallel is only outputting 3.3 then the Parallel card is bad. It may have an output adjustment pot on the card. Some parallel cards are not as good as others. Printers don't care too much about output voltage. Your machine should be using a break out board. My board is an isolated board so the parallel only operates an opto-switch. The board has its own 5v power supply which drives the motor drivers. Running 3 or 4 motor drivers may be too much for your parallel card.
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After an Alarm Driver Watchdog Triggered My X axis only move forward.. not reverse,, I have been looking at the voltage on my pins and they are with in the correct tolerances! would any one advice me to Erase and reinstall mach 3 ?
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It sounds like your driver is not working correctly. Swap it out with another to confirm. Make sure that nothing has changed in your port/pin settings. Try changing dir lowactive and see if the motor goes the other way. If you re-install mach after saving your *.xml file, you may have the same problem if your *.xml is corrupt. Otherwise you will be starting over from scratch. You could try installing an earlier version of mach. I prefer the .062 version.
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Ho!!! I also forget to mention that the arrow X & Z are totally disable! It is impossible to move any of the axis manually from the keyboard... I will be installing a brand new sparkling driver and see the results ! and will be posting the outcome! Thank you so very much for your prompt reply....
Mark.
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Hi Mark,
If you are unable to jog any axis from the keyboard, have you accidentally turned off the Jog ON/OFF button ?.
Tweakie.
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Just tested a two brand new CNC Drivers... I mean brand stinking new drivers never used and my problem persist.. X axis still running forthward only...
Perhaps some one can tell me where to find that jog on of button... I will really appreciate your help, also Perhaps some one can show me how to find that *.xml Flie that my be corrupt? May be I can find some one that have a running one that is working properly??
I Have my system working on Windows XP and a 2.4 Ghx processor, this is a dedicated computer that isn't use for any other purpose.. I mean nothing!
Some times I open PDF Files, and I try to save some .DFX files for future working on their respective CNC codes..
Thanks in advance....
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your xml file is generated whenever you set up your machine. it can be found in C:/Mach3/yourmachinename.xml. To find the problem I will need to see your file.....if it is software related.
the jog on/off is an led on the program run screen under "tool information" about dead center bottom. Or Ctrl-alt-J. to change your jog settings hit 'tab' and an mpg looking window will pop up.
i'm thinking it is a hardware problem. ie common jumper loose, common not connected. since you just installed a new driver that is not likely........unless it is not connected well at the BOB. You may have trapped insulation under the 'dir' connection at the BOB. Or if you installed the new driver by connecting a Euro plug and not screwing new wires under terminals then you may have re-installed your problem. put a meter between the dir+ and dir- terminals at the driver and jog the x both ways. One way should make 5v. the other way should make 0v. I don't think that wire size would be an issue. I have used LAN (Cat5) cable on some BOBs and that is 22ga wire.
go to config/ports & Pins/Motor Outputs. Make sure that step port/dir port are set to the port that you are using.
what make/model BOB are you using? do you have more pins available? If so try moving the x to next pair of axis pins and reconfiguring your x axis to those pins in Config/Ports & Pins/Motor Outputs.
Bob
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Well, you where totally correct, the jog button was disable, but perhaps the most impressive fact is that my common wire was loose almost everywhere!! as a matter of fact now I'm scratching my head asking my self how under the blue heaven this machine have been working so, so well for such a long time!! its is something that literally leave me speechless!!
One last question... if it is not to much to ask, would you please tell me how to make a copy of the current full settings so I can come back in case the computer to a good point?? I mean like a back up point! something that will save my rear end from this kind of ridiculous and humbling situation??
Thanks in advance!
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Mach 3 automatically keeps a backup of your last 21 settings files. If you go to operator/restore settings you can restore to the settings of any of the previous 21 sessions. You should also backup the .xml file on a regular basis. It is best to back it up on optical media as if you lose your hard drive you can at least get back your settings without going thru the entire process.
Bob
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I also find that tightening connections should be a part of a preventive maintenance program. I check mine monthly.
Bob
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I had the same issue. after replacing most everything , it proved to be a bad ribbon cable
good luck
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Yup a bad connection almost any where can change the way that we see life... quite a humbling experience :'( in my case, as I mentioned since I just have finish changing the entire PC breakboard that send the data directly to the stepper drivers, I was so confident that all and every connection was "Properly done" to find out that my Common wire was loose in more than one place.. and those motors that actually where 1/2 way properly connected where sending feedback to the other axis... it was a nightmare... but I just woke up and everything is find now!!
Never the less, I'm about to start to change the drivers and motors for a "Integrated close loop system" That by the way, It was the reason I started to do all of this movement on the wiring connections.... ??? then I find my self threading water!!
http://www.use.com/supersize.pl?set=a8b7117a17eb96bae710&p=1 (http://www.use.com/supersize.pl?set=a8b7117a17eb96bae710&p=1)
Well I just hope that this incoming time my step skipping days will be a distant memory! where I have to see my cnc machine running every step waiting to see how long it will take to mess up...
Thank you all for your help and your wisdom! hope to one day to be able to help some one else!!