Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: spinnaker on January 10, 2016, 02:53:56 PM
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I am a total CNC newbie. I have been playing with Mach 3 trying to get my new cheapy CNC machine to work. All axis were working.
Soft limits are disabled.
I am using a parallel port controller.
I can't seem to get my x-xis to work. My X axis is set up for pin 2 as the step pin and pin 3 as direction. I placed a scope on pin 2 and pin 3 and they both remain low. Y Axiis is pins 4 and 5 and when I place my scope on them, I see transitions. Pin 4 pulses low when stepping and pin 5 changes when chaning direction.
I noticed that Y axis was not working at all until I exited Mach3 and got back in, then it was only working in one direction, until I did something (can't remember what) and now it works in both directions.
I have confirmed pi configuration more than once. Is there something else that could keep the x-axis from working aside from a bad parallel port?
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Is the x axis enabled under ports and pins configuration?
Use the y cable to the x axis to confirm it is port problem, if it is, then use two different input pins.
If the drives are those Chinese ones.....sorry I can't assist you.
RICH
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Yes all pin configuration has been confirmed. If I swap X with Y and operate Y then the X axis motors move.
As I said I placed an oscilloscope on pins 2 and 3 of the parallel port on my PC and I am not seeing transitions on pins 2 and 3 when operating the x axis but I am seeing them on 4 and 5 when operating the Y axis. Pin 2 the X step pin is always low while pin 4 the Y axis is normally high So I think the issue is either those pins are disabled in Mach 3 or my parallel port is not working. I found a parallel port testing software online. I think I will give it a try.
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Got it to work! I reseated the cable on the system board and that seemed to do the trick. Thanks for the assist.
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Glad it's now working.
Rich