Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => Galil => Topic started by: Rocketdork on July 31, 2014, 01:19:56 PM
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I am setting up a lathe with a Galil DMC-2123 controller coupled to an AMP-20520 servo amplifier. I am using electrocraft BLDC motors with HP HEDS encoders (500 cpr with index). I have verified the encoder wiring is on the primary encoder channel for each axis and have tuned the motors on the bench and saved the values to the controller.
The problem that I am encountering is when I set up the motors for X and Z axis in the Mach3 turn profile. Using the plugin configuration, I set Mach axis X to Galil axis X(A), Mach Axis Y to nothing and Mach Z axis to galil axis Y(B). Ports and pins settings in Mach have X and Z motors enabled and 0 for pins and port. When set up this way, the X axis DRO reads out any position change. The Z axis DRO never changes from 0.0000, although the motor moves with the jog keys. I can change which motor is assigned to which axis (Mach X -> Galil Y(B) and Mach Z -> Galil X(A)) and I have the same result. X DRO reads fine, Z DRO never changes. Motors move with Jog keys. I have the motor options set to use the encoders for position feedback and actual speed. Changing this value has no impact on the problem.
If I exit the turn screen and setup another profile that shows the Y axis DRO and configure the motors to operate on X and Y axis, the DRO for both X and Y operate as normal. If I then configure the setup to utilize the servos on X and Z, I encounter the same issue as when in the "turn" profile. X DRO changes, Z DRO does not. Both motors will jog using the jog keys.
It acts like the active channels must be adjacent to one another in Mach for the DRO to work properly.
I tried setting up a bogus axis on the Y axis, but got errors from the controller that prevented any motion.
Any clues where to look to resolve this issue? I could always just set up the motors as X and Y, but all the G-Code in the wizards and such use the Z axis. I'd have to use the wizard in one profile, save the G-Code, edit to replace Z axis moves with Y axis moves, save, open a new profile, load the edited G-code, then run the program...tedious, but a functional workaround.
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Is there nobody that will help me? I've not been able to resolve this issue and have encountered another along my path.
I installed an index wheel on the the lathe. It uses a opto sensor and board from CNC4PC (C3). I connected the output of this board to the Galil input 1. I configured mach following the instructions in the Plugin manual. The diagnostics screen in Mach indicates the program is seeing the pulse from the board, however, I have not been able to get the spindle RPM to display the actual RPM of the spindle.
I've followed the directions in the Mach 3 manual to set up the spindle. I enabled the spindle, set the pulleys etc. Nothing.
This has been a long process...and I'm approaching my tolerance level of trying to make the Galil board I have work with Mach 3. I don't know if it's Mach 3, the plugin or me. If I don't have some sort of break through soon, look for my board on Ebay.
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I have never tried a lathe setup with a 2 axis controller. If you could setup the controller and map the axes to X->A, Z->B and provide a GalilDebug.txt file, that would help me understand what is going on.
Steve
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I'll try to get something this weekend.
I've got the lathe running on Stepper motors for the moment. Would love to have the servos...
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I have not been able to get the spindle RPM to display the actual RPM of the spindle.
You need to turn the spindle on by clicking the spindle button on the screen.
RICH
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I see now that I was not clear in my description about the issue with the spindle...I did click the spindle on button on the screen...still no joy.
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I enabled the Debug and have attached it...
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Galil Error -2: Emessage = "96 SM jumpers must be installed for stepper motors."
Your Galil B axis motor type is set to stepper but no stepper jumper is installed. If you are using amps with servos, change the motor type for the Galil B axis to "Servo" in the plugin configuration dialog.
Steve
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I'm 90% sure I set the motor type to servo in the drop down list in the config plug in screen...but I'll check tonight when I get home from work.
The motor did respond to the jog commands.
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I checked the plugin configuration settings and the Z axis is set to Servo as the motor type. The Y axis IS set to Stepper in Mach, but nothing is assigned in Galil. I've attached a screen capture of the config page.
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You have a two axis controller. That means Galil axis A(x) and B(y). You have no C axis. The motor types are by "Galil" axis, not Mach axis. So set the Galil B axis to servo. Then mapping Mach X to Galil X(a) and Mach Z to Galil Y(b) is correct.
Steve
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In the debug file you requested, it appears that the plugin queries the configuration of the Galil controller. If this is a query, you can see the Motor type (MT) is set to 1.0, 1.0, or normal servo.
I set the controller up and queried the configuration and both axis motor type are set to Servo. I have attached a screen capture of the galil configuration screen as shown in Galil Suitte.
You can see from the screen cap I posted earlier that I have Mach Axis X set to Galil X(A) and Mach Axis Z set to Galil Y(B) and that each of them are set to servo motors.
Did I miss something? I think I have things configured correctly, is there something I should check to be sure, other files I could provide?
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Yes, you missed it. :) Look at your previous picture. See the second Galil Y(b) axis marked as stepper?
The plugin does query the controller. It outputs all setting that are currently burned to the controller's NVRAM. However, it does nothing with this. The motor type (MT) is then set by the plugin, which is where it is wrong. Look further down in the debug file and you will see "MT 1.0, 2.0" sent to the controller after the QZ command. It is immediately followed by the error message.
Steve
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Ok, I see my mistake.
I made the change to the second Galil axis is now set to servo. However, the Z DRO is still not reading out. New Debug file attached.
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Any ideas on why I'm continuing to see this problem? I'd very much like to be able to use the Galil Card with Servos.
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I have no idea at this point. The comms to the Galil look good. It may be a Mach setup issue now. Make sure that in Mach's general settings that there is nothing set for Z is 2.5D. Look at ANY setting pertaining to Z for that matter.
I have not ever tried Mach Lathe, so I would not know much about how to set it up.
Steve
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I've searched around within Mach...I've not located anything that will resolve the issue.
Anyone else care to weigh in?