Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: davelegg on April 25, 2016, 09:19:17 PM
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First off this is my first build and things were going good until I tried to get the motors to turn.
Specs
Dell OptiPlex 755 computer
Longs motor kit and drivers
Mach3 downloaded
Only thing on the computer is windows7 and mach 3
I have triple checked my wiring and everything is hooked up like it should be but this is what happens when buttons are pushed.
Buttons pushed What happens
Y+ Y+ turns
Y- Y- turns
x+ z+
X- z-
Z+ or- Nothing happens
4+ X+
4- X-
I have tried all kinds of pin settings and nothing changes, I have even set all pins to 0 and still get the same results.
I know it sounds crazy but that's what I have to deal with.
If anyone has had similar results PLEASE reply to this so I can get it figured out.
Thank you very much.
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Are you using the parallel port or an external motion controller?
If you are using the parallel port then it sounds like you may have MaxCL or MaxNC mode enabled.
Hood
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Parallel port. Can you explain maxcl
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If you go to Config menu then Ports and Pins, over to the right top of the page that opens you will see the MaxCL and NC mode options. If either of them is chosen then that will be your problem, deselect it and restart and hopefully you will be sorted.
If that is not the problem then attach your xml and I will see if I can find an issue.
Hood
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Maxcl was selected so I cleared the box and restarted the program and now nothing moves?
I can only get things to move in maxcl and the I only get the results listed previously.
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Please explain xml
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The xml is the file that contains all of the settings you have.
There is one xml file for each profile you have, some people have multiple profiles.
To find the xml open Mach and look at the profile name, if you are just using the default plasma profile it will say Plasma lower right of the screen.
Next close Mach and go to the Mach3 folder on your hard drive and look for a file with the same name as the profile, it will have a .xml file extension, so if it is the default the file you are looking for is plasma.xml.
You will need to copy and paste that to your desktop and then rename it to something unique so that the forum will accept it, suggest you rename something like daveclegg.xml.
Once you have done that you can use the additional options button on the reply page to browse to your renamed file and attach to the forum.
Hood
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OK, I will try that when I get off work late tonight. Thanks
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Here is the xml file.
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Can you give me a link to the stepper drives you are using, also the breakout board if you use one.
Hood
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/281533490183?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Longs motor kit. also using the breakout board that came in the kit.
Thanks a bunch
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Ok thanks, I am just finding it strange that MaxCL mode is working and I was wondering if your drive had a setting for quadrature input, it seems not.
I presume you are using the onboard parallel port rather than a PCI port?
Hood
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parallel printer port
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The one that is on the motherboard? IE it is up beside where the mouse and keyboard and other connectors are?
Could it be that you have no pin assigned to the Enable?
Hood
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db25 printer port on the back of the computer
http://cdn.computerhope.com/parallel-port.jpg
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Ok so I presume you mean it is on the motherboard rather than an add-on card in a PCI slot.
Ok so what about the Enable? Does that need to be used for your drives? If so you do not have the pin assigned for it.
Hood
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I am assuming the connector is hooked to the motherboard in some fashion.
As far as the enable goes I am not sure how to do that. Please forgive my ignorance in this matter but this is all new to me. Thank you very much for your help.
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IT WORKS, IT WORKS, IT WORKS
I turned off the maxcl, Then in ports and pins enabled the three axis, and then clicked on the step lo active for all three axis.
Everything works as it should but now its 1:30 in the morning so I am going to bed.
Thanks Hood for keeping me at it.
Dave
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Great news :)
Hood
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A lot of progress has been made in the last couple of weeks. I have the x,y, and z axis working as it should and have started building the frame to mount it all.
I would say probably in a week to ten days I can start burning plate.
I will be using a old air compressor tank to hold the water when the pan is empty.
Pics below of progress to date
Dave
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Got a little more done today. water tank is in but just for looks , still has to be pressure tested.
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Looking good, was considering a water table myself but decided to go with downdraught as I will be doing mainly Alu and Stainless.
Hood
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Finally got it off the fab table. I think I am going to change the electronics box so that it will fit under the water pan.