Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: garand on October 15, 2015, 09:27:25 AM

Title: new guy
Post by: garand on October 15, 2015, 09:27:25 AM
I have mach3 demo version. I am using Sheet cam to create code from DXF files. I can import into mach3 and run the cutting simulation on the screen, but can't get the router to move. I must be missing something. Can someone point me in the right direction to getting the signal to the router. I have the parallel cable connected.  :-\
Thanks
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: ger21 on October 15, 2015, 11:30:59 AM
You need to enable the motors and setup the ports and pins.
Also, make sure that Mach3 is not in Estop.
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on October 15, 2015, 11:47:18 AM
Gerry,

Is there a tutorial on set up from mach3 or online that you know of?

Thanks,

Bill
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: ger21 on October 15, 2015, 01:43:32 PM
There are videos on Machsupport.com
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: beefy on October 15, 2015, 04:30:28 PM
And a PDF manual.
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: mrprecise44 on October 15, 2015, 05:32:04 PM
Scroll down to the "Member Docs" section of this forum, and download the "MACH 3 TUTORIAL - SETTING UP A BASIC 3 AXIS MILL" pdf file. It is a clearly written, step by step  tutorial, with page examples showing all the many parts of the puzzle. In addition to the videos, this will have you up and running, with a total overview of Mach3.
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on October 16, 2015, 08:55:15 AM
Thanks a lot!!! It will be good reading tonight. ;D
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on October 17, 2015, 11:37:16 AM
New Guy Again,

Ok, new problem, set ports and pins, no movement in any direction when running program. (x, y or z) thought it might be the new port I installed so I checked out other posts and determined that I should disconnect the parallel plug from the box and check the voltages coming through the cable. I ran a program and checked pins 10,11,12,13, and they are all showing 5.12 V. so now I am stumped again. any ideas what to do next??? ???

Thanks
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: ger21 on October 17, 2015, 11:44:49 AM
When you try jogging, are the DRO's showing movement (numbers changing)?

If not, then your setup is not correct.

If they do show movement, then do this.
Pick an axis, and measure that axis direction pin while you jog it back and forth. It should change from 0V in one direction, and 5V in another.
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: robertspark on October 17, 2015, 11:51:33 AM
Have you defined your "e-stop" input and set it to be enabled.

No e-stop defined, nothing will move..  you can "frig" the e-stop by defining it and then setting it to either active high or low and that will perimiantly clear the e-stop (see my note below regarding mushroom buttons)

I'd suggest you go into you C:/Mach3 folder and copy and paste you XML file so we can have a look at what you've setup and what you may not have setup.

the XML file defines all of your settings.... it is normally called by the same name that your mach3 profile is (for instance MachMill / Plasma etc etc).  you can open the file up using notepad (although it will look like a long read trying to order everything.... there is an SML viewer listed on here somewhere.... I personally use the Microsoft XML editor (available free)... but normally just load your profile into mach and run through all the settings.

It would be helpful to know something about your machine setup (i.e. what leadscrews you are using (their pitch), and what settings you have for microstepping on your drives, what type of machine you are running .... mill, plasma, etc ... do you have an e-stop (essential if you ask me! [can't beat a mushroom button in a panic]), do you have home switches, limit switches etc etc.

It is sooo much easier looking at an XML file than just asking questions and batting things back & forth.

Rob

Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on November 05, 2015, 08:56:27 AM
OK, I am back to where I left off. As I mentioned I worked with Rob and he sent me an xml file to run which I did. We tried several different ways to resolve the problem. I had an add on PPort with a 88 address. tried changing several times but no movement. So, I thought maybe I had to many programs on that computer so I bought a new refurbished Dell OptiPlex with windows 7 pro, 32 bit from Best Buy.I installed mach 3, restarted the computer, ran Rob's xml checked the port address (came installed) 0x378, which looked good. I proceed to check each motor cable separately as Rob suggested but still no movement. I did go into device manager to look at the ports while the controller was on and when I clicked on the different ports to see their address's I got a jerk out of the motors, but that's about it. I really appreciate all the support.

Thanks,

Bill :-\
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 05, 2015, 09:31:08 AM
Hi Bill,

Could you post a link to the type of controller you are using ??

Tweakie.
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on November 05, 2015, 09:57:12 AM
I think its a 3040. See photo attached
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on November 05, 2015, 08:02:19 PM
I'm not sure if my previous post got on. I am sending screen shots to see my set up.
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on November 05, 2015, 08:04:43 PM
Some more. Let me know if there are other screens that will help
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: patton on November 05, 2015, 08:24:27 PM
Hey Bill if you havn't tried this yet ....try going to outputs in mach3 and you should have an "Enable1" and set that to port 1 pin 14 and check the active low.
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 06, 2015, 01:59:01 AM
There are so many variants of that particular controller (including the YooCNC models) that it may be impossible to determine the correct port & pin settings without quite a lot of 'trial and error' testing.

My guess would be...

X step pin 2
X dir pin 3
Y step pin 4
Y dir pin 5
Z step pin 6
Z dir pin 7

All Step pins configured Active Low.

E-Stop configured to pin 13 (If E-Stop cannot be reset within Mach3 (Active High or Active Low) then try configuring to pin 10)

(This information is based on the YooCnc data)

Tweakie.

Title: Re: new guy
Post by: RICH on November 06, 2015, 07:54:06 AM
Ask the manufacturer of that controller.

Chinese  sell their cheap, wrongly documented or made junk controllers along with pirated software and then give off support to someone else while they laugh at us.

Sorry if I am so negative, but it is an extremely irritating problem.

RICH
Title: Re: new guy
Post by: garand on November 06, 2015, 10:48:05 PM
Just wanted to say I got it working. I decided to uninstall and re install Mach3. This time it worked. I'm thinking the port driver didn't install correctly the other tries, because this time it took much longer. Thanks for all your help. I will start to follow the manual now, but I bet I will be back with more questions.  ;D