Machsupport Forum
Third party software and hardware support forums. => PoKeys => Topic started by: Kenwoodhf on April 01, 2016, 11:27:46 PM
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I am running a Pokeys 56U on my mini lathe. I started with Mach3 and got everything working pretty good except for spindle speed. Now I am changing to Mach4 and first real problem is getting the stepper motors to run properly. The internal pulse output (pins 46, 49) to either the X or Z motors during homing produce a nice even pulse train (4 kHertz) and the motors run very nicely. But when I run them in continuous jog mode or from the the MDI box the pulse train is broken up and erratic (still about 4kHertz). The motors sound terrible but they are not losing any steps. I have tried to go even slower almost to a crawl but got the same results. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
Jan
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A bit more information different settings basically the same results. It kind of explains the bad motor sound.
So that I see when jogging or homing in Mach3 is a 20 us pulse 360 us apart to give me 2.8 kHertz. In Mach4 on homing I get the same 20 us pulse and about the same frequency. But on jogging or from the MDI line what I get is the 2.8kHertz signal for about 8 ms then a gap of 15 ms. Here are a couple of pictures from an analogue scope. Time base is 5 ms.
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Hi, Jan
Let's start with the basics - what are the exact versions of Mach4, Mach4 plugin, PoKeys software and PoKeys firmware? 'Latest' is very relative and doesn't really tell much to our team.
Also, please open Diagnostic window for the PoKeys plugin - there is a progress bar at the bottom of the dialog - what values does it display as you jog or home the machine?
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Hi
I will get all the info later today but I did wonder about that communication bar. I have seen it at zero, and once at about 78% but usually sits at red 99%. But I will try it again.
Jan
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If the communication bar stays above 90%, there is an issue with the communication that needs to be solved first. Run the PoKeys troubleshooting software (http://poscope.com/download/PoKeys_Troubleshooting.zip) and copy the results to there.
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Hi
PoKeys version 4.1.61, Firmware 3.1.68, Device load status about 40%, Mach4 version 4.2.0.2941, PoKeys plugin 7.29.0.2914.
communication bar homing 0%, jogging 99%
Trouble shooting program
Searching for PoKeys devices... OK
Found 1 USB PoKeys devices and 0 ethernet PoKeys devices
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Connecting to device 33421 [USB]... OK
- Connection: USB [PID=0]
- Device type: PoKeys56U [10]
- Device name: PoKeys56U
- Firmware version: 3.1.68 [Nov 27 2015]
- Speed test ... 500 commands in 1880 ms [min: 2.3 / average: 3.8 / max: 4.2] - device dT 1884
- Fast USB interface: Enabled
- Switching to Fast USB... OK
- Speed test [Fast USB]... 500 commands in 2999 ms [min: 4.8 / average: 6.0 / max: 6.2] - device dT 3005
Searching for PoKeys devices... OK
Found 1 USB PoKeys devices and 0 ethernet PoKeys devices
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Connecting to device 33421 [USB]... OK
- Connection: USB [PID=0]
- Device type: PoKeys56U [10]
- Device name: PoKeys56U
- Firmware version: 3.1.68 [Nov 27 2015]
- Speed test ... 500 commands in 1777 ms [min: 2.8 / average: 3.6 / max: 4.2] - device dT 1780
- Fast USB interface: Enabled
- Switching to Fast USB... Failed
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Mach4 plugin uses a different communication protocol that should be faster than that used in Mach3, but in your case, it is the other way around. We want to find the cause for this situation and would be really grateful if you can provide some information on your PC (CPU, OS)?
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Thanks for the reply
Windows 10 Home
Version 1511
OS Build 10586.164
Processor Intel CPU T1600 @ 1.666GHz
Ram 2.00 GB
64 bit operating system, x64 based processor
This what I get on your trouble shooting program in Mach3.
The first is nothing moving, the second is motor jogging.
Searching for PoKeys devices... OK
Found 1 USB PoKeys devices and 0 ethernet PoKeys devices
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Connecting to device 33421 [USB]... OK
- Connection: USB [PID=0]
- Device type: PoKeys56U [10]
- Device name: PoKeys56U
- Firmware version: 3.1.68 [Nov 27 2015]
- Speed test ... 500 commands in 1604 ms [min: 2.7 / average: 3.2 / max: 4.1] - device dT 1606
- Fast USB interface: Enabled
- Switching to Fast USB... OK
- Speed test [Fast USB]... 500 commands in 11435 ms [min: 3.8 / average: 22.9 / max: 66.0] - device dT 4291538304
Searching for PoKeys devices... OK
Found 1 USB PoKeys devices and 0 ethernet PoKeys devices
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Connecting to device 33421 [USB]... OK
- Connection: USB [PID=0]
- Device type: PoKeys56U [10]
- Device name: PoKeys56U
- Firmware version: 3.1.68 [Nov 27 2015]
- Speed test ... 500 commands in 1871 ms [min: 2.8 / average: 3.7 / max: 239.0] - device dT 1875
- Fast USB interface: Enabled
- Switching to Fast USB... OK
- Speed test [Fast USB]... 500 commands in 13218 ms [min: 4.0 / average: 26.4 / max: 66.7] - device dT 3503846
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Do you have an option to connect PoKeys device to your computer via an USB hub?
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Hi
I went through my junk box and I do have a USB hub but it is only USB 1 and not USB 2.
Jan
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It should work if it is USB 1.1.
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Hi
Interesting. I can not find anywhere in device manager what USB version the hub is (USB or USB 1). But what ever it is PoKeys is not recognized by it. The hub reads a memory stick but it tells you that your device will run faster in a USB 2 device. I will see if my neighbor has on later today.
Jan
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Hi
I went and got a hub today (Walmart special) and yes it made a difference. Jogging is much smoother but the communication status bar bounces at the 70 to 80% level and goes into the high 90s. Your trouble shooting program still says failed.
Searching for PoKeys devices... OK
Found 1 USB PoKeys devices and 0 ethernet PoKeys devices
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Connecting to device 33421 [USB]... OK
- Connection: USB [PID=0]
- Device type: PoKeys56U [10]
- Device name: PoKeys56U
- Firmware version: 3.1.68 [Nov 27 2015]
- Speed test ... 500 commands in 1071 ms [min: 1.6 / average: 2.1 / max: 10.6] - device dT 1072
- Fast USB interface: Enabled
- Switching to Fast USB... Failed
Jan
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Make sure you don't run the troubleshooting application in parallel to Mach4.
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OK Mach4 not loaded
Searching for PoKeys devices... OK
Found 1 USB PoKeys devices and 0 ethernet PoKeys devices
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Connecting to device 33421 [USB]... OK
- Connection: USB [PID=0]
- Device type: PoKeys56U [10]
- Device name: PoKeys56U
- Firmware version: 3.1.68 [Nov 27 2015]
- Speed test ... 500 commands in 1001 ms [min: 1.8 / average: 2.0 / max: 2.2] - device dT 1003
- Fast USB interface: Enabled
- Switching to Fast USB... OK
- Speed test [Fast USB]... 500 commands in 1002 ms [min: 1.8 / average: 2.0 / max: 2.2] - device dT 20115
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Do you have the 'Update rate' set to 'Fast' in the PoKeys plugin settings (Miscallenous tab)?
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Update rate is set to Fast. Connection timeout Normal. I have not changed these from the beginning, I thought that they applied to one of the expansion modules.
Jan
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Hi
I see that there was an update on Pokeys to version 7.30.0.02914. After installing it and updating the Mach 4 plugins things seem to run better. The communication bar seems to stay out of the red zone but it only works if I use the USB hub. I tried a different computer today and still had the same problems when plugged directly into the USB port. So, is the solution that I must use a USB hub? If so I think a good idea would be build the hub into the control box.
Thanks Jan
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Can you give us some information on what is common on your computers? Some combination of USB hardware and sytem drivers "doesnt' like" the configuration of PoKeys device and just slows down the communication. We are trying to figure out what (HW, driver etc.) is causing this.
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Hi
The first computer is a laptop. Windows 10 Home. Intel CPU T1600 @ 1.66 GHz, 2.00 GB RAM, 64 bit operating system x64 based processor, Intel ICH9 Family USB Enhanced Host Controller
The second computer is a desk top. Windows 10 Pro. Intel Core (TM)2 Duo CPU E7300 @ 2.66 GHz, 4.00 GB RAM, 64 bit operating system x64 based processor, Intel ICH10 Family USB Enhanced Host Controller
These computers are at least 5+ years old.
Hope this helps
Jan