Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: MikeSherman on April 03, 2014, 08:51:34 AM
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I've just finished converting my G0704 Mill to CNC. I am now tuning my steppers and dialing in the system.
Here is the set-up:
2 Nema23 steppers on X & Y
1 Nema34 stepper on Z
3 KL-5056D drivers
C35 BOB
Kl-600-48v power supply
Mach3 - running Version .066
Older desktop dedicated to the mill. 600Mhz CPU, WindowsXP SP3.0. Stripped of extra programs and crap.
25k Hz, Sherline 1/2 pulse checked, 8000 steps per (validated in the ballpark with tape measure for now)
The driver test checks out "Excellent".
So here is the oddity in behavior. While I am in the Motor Tuning, I can set my XYZ axis velocities pretty high (about 250in/min) and the steppers sound great. No stalling, no missed steps - nothing. Just humm back and forth to my up/down keyboad commands.
Now as soon as I exit the Motor Tuning window and get back to the Mach screen and jog the axis, they sound like they are missing steps, like there is a chip in the bearing.
I've reconfigured for 1/4 and 1/2 micro stepping and get the same results.
Any ideas where to look or test?
Thanks for the help.
-Mike
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Last night I took a picture of the Diagnostic Screen and this morning I was comparing it to some images on Google and noticed my Pulse Frequency is reading in the single to double digits. Other random screen shots show it at 24-25k which make more sense to me....
If my driver test passed, why am I seeing an extremely low pulse frequency on the diagnostics screen? Do I need to be jogging an axis for this to show up correctly and this is just an "idle" condition? Perhaps someone can verify that your Pulse Frequency is always showing around 25khz regardless of e-stop, idle condition, or during jogging.
Thanks
-Mike
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Your frequency should show as, or very close to, the kernel you have set. If it is not or varies widely then you have issues.
However a 600Meg CPU is well below recommended specs and it certainly wont be helping matters.
If you were using an external controller then 600Meg may be ok but I would say it still may be borderline.
Hood
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If my driver test passed, why am I seeing an extremely low pulse frequency on the diagnostics screen?
The driver test doesn't tell you for sure if your PC will work. It's really a bit deceiving at times.
I'm with Hood, I think your PC is just too slow for Mach3. Try turning off the toolpath display and see if it makes a difference.
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I can pick up a 1.4Ghz P3 processor on EBay for $7. Can't really go wrong with trying that.
I've turned most everything off already.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Mike
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Mike I am not sure where you live. Oddly enough the computers Mach needs are not special. Ask your neighbors if they have any old computers around. I was happy to finally find a purpose for some of the computers I refused to throw out due to my fear someone else might discover my secrets on my HD's. I am not sure of what those secrets are but I sure didnt want anyone else to know what they were either. Important stuff like my Machsupport password. You know things you probably cant remember ;-)
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OK, no luck. The new processor was not recognized by my BIOS and wouldn't even boot up. It was only $7, so I'm not upset. I think my computer is just tooooo old and underpowered. I don't think it's worth the effort to update just to bring up to the min spec required for Mach3.
I'm going to look for a refurbished/used computer on eBay now - I've asked around and no one has an old computer sitting around. Does the PP have to be integrated into the MB or can I just use a plug-in PP card?
I've seen real nice deals on 2Ghz P4 Dell Optiplex GX260 with WindowsXP loaded for $75 shipped on eBay. Any reason to stay away from those? I've heard that Dell ties the OS license into the BIOS which requires you to need the original installation disk if ever you have to reload windows....truth?
Just looking for some guidance to make an educated computer purchase. I've been reading random computer threads for Mach3 which have helped.
Thanks.
-Mike
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....and how important is a non-integrated video card?
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Mike,
I have used three Dell GX270s, and they all ran Mach3 well, BUT, the capacitors on the motherboard are prone to going bad, especially considering their present age. All three are now kaput. As far as the license goes, buy one from a refurbishing dealer who will supply OEM/restore disks with the computer.
John Champlain
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John - thanks for the input. You make a good point too! I'm substituting on older computer with a not-as-old but still older computer...hahaha
I was budgeting about $100 for this new computer.....for $125 I can get the UC100 USB Motion Controller: http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=481
Then I can just use my more current home computer.
There is a good article on CNC cookbook discussing PP vs External Motion Controllers here: http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/12/24/motion-control-boards-take-mach3-from-hobby-class-to-industrial-grade-part-2/
Are there any downsides to going with the UC100?
-Mike
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Never used the UC100 but most reports I have seen are favourable, there are many motion controllers out there from the very cheap and likely lower quality ones up to the higher end ones.
The advantages of an external controller is that the pulse (if it is a Step/Dir controller) will almost certainly be much nicer than you could ever hope to achieve from a parallel port, this often allows machines to run smoother than they previously did via the PP.
Another advantage is that the external controller does the pulsing so it frees up resources in your computer.
Also you can use a 64Bit OS, when using the PP the OS needs to be 32bit.
The disadvantage of the motion controller can be that it does not support some functions you require, ie the things that Mach normally does in the driver.
Things like Lathe Threading are not supported on all external controllers, THC, Probing etc. Most other "normal" functions of Mach should be fine.
Hood
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Hood,
Thanks for the info.
I'm running a G0704 Mill. Only need XYZ and spindle on/off/speed control. Anything else will be manual or not used.
I just ordered a UC100 on eBay for $129 shipped. I'll give that a try on my new-ish home computer which is already 7yrs old......where does the time go?
Regards,
Mike
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And it will be compatible with Mach 4 ;-)
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UC100 came in and seems to have taken care of my stepper noises. Small win for me and onto the next item...
Now I'm pulling my hair out trying to integrate the C6 board to be able to control the spindle thru Mach3. NO LUCK. I've watched Hoss's videos and read many posts and STILL can't get any higher than a couple volts on C6 output. I need 7v to match the stock G0704 speed control.
I only want on/off and speed control. No relays, stock motor and speed control.
I'm wondering if anyone has ever set up a C6 thru the UC100 yet?
Mike
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Oh, and what would cause an MDI input of M3 S1000 show only 975 rpm in Mach3?
Mike
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Cant help with the C6, never used any of that stuff.
Regarding the RPM, depends what you are meaning but if it is that the commanded RPM DRO is only showing a max of 975rpm then it may be your spindle pulleys settings are wrong (from Config menu)
Hood
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If I set Pulley #1 max rpm of 1000, ratio of 1.0 and then enter M3 S1000, the spindle will only display 975 rpm.
Mike
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Are you talking about the RPM DRO or the Spindle Speed DRO?
Hood
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Hood - the RPM DRO is always reading less than the comanded spindle speed. So when I enter M3 S1000, 1000 shows up in the spindle rpm DRO and only 975 shows up in RPM DRO. Which now that I think about it, if the motor isn't hooked up and spinning, where is 975rpm coming from? Shouldn't that read 0?
-mike
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That may well depend on your controller, maybe the UC100 just decides it should send a signal to Mach to say what the rpm is.
Try turning off Spindle Speed Averaging and see if that makes a difference, its in Ports and Pins, Spindle Setup.
Hood