Machsupport Forum
General CNC Chat => Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) => Topic started by: TJoensen on October 04, 2018, 12:40:42 PM
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Hello everyone, I'm new to the CNC world, and I'm a bit lost regarding controllers and drivers, and how the parallel port for mach 4 works.
I'm trying to fix an old gas-cutter at my dads shop, the cutter is from the 1980, and is not working correctly anymore.
Here are some pictures of the gas-cutter setup and a quick explanation on each image: https://imgur.com/a/qD02SCu
My plan was to replace the motors, and create a new setup so it would be controlled via a PC (Mach 4). But I don't quite understand the parallel port function with Mach 4, or if it's really necessary to have? Can I skip the parallel port if I have an external controller ? What solution is better, using the parallel port or an external driver ?
Is there any other hardware I need? As I understand it the setup would be like this: PC->Controller->Drivers->Motors, is this correct ?
Thanks for any help,
TJoensen
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I think an external motion controller would be a better choice than parallel port operation.
You would need to find details of the existing motors and drivers as they could possibly be OK to re-use.
It certainly sounds like an interesting project to undertake.
Tweakie.
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Ok, external motion controller it is.
The current motors are just normal brushed dc motors, and they are in quite a bad shape. I think it would be best to replace them. I tried with stepper motors, but they don't get to high enough rpms so I think servo motors would be the way to go?
TJoensen
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Choose a motion controller with good backup and support (not a cheap Chinese product) and the same for servo's and their controllers and all should be well.
It's not going to be a cheap project but I am sure the end result will be well worth the effort.
Tweakie.
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Any motion controller that you can recommend?
TJoensen
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There are many to choose from but I use a Warp9 ESS and that works well for me. https://warp9td.com/
Tweakie.
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I'm looking around for motors, but am only finding cheap chinese motors, or motors that are waay too powerful and expensive.
Do you know any websites to look for Digital Servo Motors ?
TJoensen
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Hi,
DMM have a good reputation:
http://www.dmm-tech.com/ (http://www.dmm-tech.com/)
Delta is made in Taiwan and is good. Note there are a range of models, choose with care...they are all good quality:
https://www.deltaww.com/Products/CategoryListT1.aspx?CID=060201&PID=ALL&hl=en-US (https://www.deltaww.com/Products/CategoryListT1.aspx?CID=060201&PID=ALL&hl=en-US)
Craig
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Thanks for the links, Craig.
I've come up with one setup, can you guys tell me what you think of this?
Also, I'd gladly take some tips if you think there are cheaper/better options.
Servo Motors: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/servo-motors/1110818/
Servo Driver : https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/servo-drives-controls/1110807/
Motion Controller: http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/motion/hicon/hicon_integra/hicon_integra.php
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Hi,
they all work but they are expensive.
The Hicon is $600. You have not established the case that requires such a board. The UC300, the ESS or the 57CNC are all capable
and way cheaper, $150-$200. You will need BoBs for the UC300 and ESS, C10 BoBs are $23 each, you might get away with one but
are unlikely to require more than two.
The servo you linked to is only 100W. Why go so small? For the same money you could get 400W-750W DMM's.
There is nothing wrong with Schiender....its just expensive for what you get.
Consider:
Mach4 $200
ESS $190
2 x C10 BoBs $46
3 x DYN4 220V DMM drives $654 ($218 each)
3 x 400W DST 200V DMM servos $441 ($147 each)
Total $1531
Compared to:
Mach4 $200
Hicon $695
3 x LXM28 $928 (250 GBP each converted to USD at 1.31 without VAT)
3 x BCH2MB0133 $880 (224 GBP each converted to USD at 1.31 without VAT)
Total $2703
There are considerations like how much you have to import, DMM for instance is Canadian, ESS is US. How VAT works I'm not sure,
in New Zealand we Have GST which I believe is similar and the bottom line is that I have to pay the GST on any import. It does not
affect a comparison though....its just a flat rate.
The DMM/ESS/C10 is over $1000 cheaper.....that buys a fair swag of oxy-acet and/or material.
Craig
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Thanks for that
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Hi,
http://www.dmm-tech.com/ (http://www.dmm-tech.com/)
https://warp9td.com/ (https://warp9td.com/)
Craig
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Hi Guys,
I would like to throw this out there.
The Hiconn Integra is $595 with the "BOB" built in. It makes for a very neat and small package. Just add a power supply.
They also offer a Hiconn hobby which is only 4 axis and limited to 125khz for $435. Since most people never got the PPort over 45khz, the 125khz will be a major step up. I picked one up for my lathe and so far it works great. They also have 24v I/O.
While many say they are pricey, they have great support and full Mach4 compatibility.
Another option is the Pokeys 57CNC. I picked one up for a project and my initial testing is promising.
Disclaimer: I am a big fan of the Vital system stuff. ;D
Mike
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Hi Mike,
I have no problems with the Hicon other than its price.
At this time it is the only Mach4 ready controller that has THC. Thus if you wish to have THC, ie running a plasma table then you are
REQUIRED to get a Hicon.
The ESS, UC300 and the 57CNC are all less than 1/3 of the price of the Hicon and retain much of the functionality and all three companies have
after sales support easily as good a Vital Systems.
The ESS and the UC300 require BoB's, C10's can be had for $23 each. Hardly an imposition.
Its not that I don't recommend the Hicon its just hard to justify that extra $400 compared to an ESS say.
Craig
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See my replies in bold
Hi Mike,
I have no problems with the Hicon other than its price.
Hi Joe,
I didn't think you had a problem with them, I just think people see the price and don't realize what you get for the price.
At this time it is the only Mach4 ready controller that has THC. Thus if you wish to have THC, ie running a plasma table then you are
REQUIRED to get a Hicon.
Agreed, and it woks well. I had the pleasure of helping some people get theirs up and running.
The ESS, UC300 and the 57CNC are all less than 1/3 of the price of the Hicon and retain much of the functionality and all three companies have
after sales support easily as good a Vital Systems.
The Hiconn hobby at $435 isn't 3 times the price. Things may have improved, and I may be wrong, but I still don't see the support for all of the needed functions, especially for Mach 4. And as you say, much of the functionality, not all of it.
The ESS and the UC300 require BoB's, C10's can be had for $23 each. Hardly an imposition.
The C10 isn't opto isolated IIRC and you may need to get more than one to use all of the motion controllers I/O. Can you use the C10 and the analog out to run the spindle? If not, you need a more expensive BOB. It also requires you to mount and connect them.
Its not that I don't recommend the Hicon its just hard to justify that extra $400 compared to an ESS say
$180 + $23 +$23 = $226 + all the extra work to mount 3 devices instead of one and it may not support everything that you need, such as threading (might be working now) or Mach4 (Does the UC300 work with Mach4?) vs $435, which is not a $400 difference (Hiconn Hobby) and it is all one board
The big thing is that if you are upgrading from a P-Port, then the other boards shine in that they were designed to interface with the DB-25 connector on the P-Port.
While I would like to see the Vital system stuff comedown in price, especially since I need to buy some more of it for a future project or 2, they seem to be selling plenty of it.
My $.02 for the day.
Mike.
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Hi,
the Hicon Hobby (not that I can find it on their site) is over $435 by your post.
The ESS is $190, even if you add $46 for two BoBs that's $236.
I might live on the other side of the world but that is $199 difference. And that is for the Hicon Hobby....not the real thing.
Each person will have to decide what to spend their money on....I will not be buying a cutdown version of the Hicon any time soon.
In the last fortnight Warp9 has added single point lathe threading to their Mach4 plugin on top of backlash compensation that was added
three months ago. Excepting THC there is nothing that I require from a Hicon that can't be delivered by a much cheaper option.
You may point out that the Hicon can, at extra expense close a servo loop. You may also be aware that modern AC servos have rendered
that functionality moot and so it applicability is to old school servos. Having bought one AC servo and had my eyes opened I won't be
fiddling with any old school servos any time soon.
I've been using Homman Designs BoBs, not dissimilar to C10s, that is non optisolated for five years without problems. Wherever I determine that
there may be a voltage conflict I add an optocoupler as required. For instance my Vexta stepper drivers have optoisolated inputs thus there
is no gain in having optoisolated outputs on the BoB as well.
Craig
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If going with the ESS, I'd recommend the MB2 motherboard. This brings it closer to the Hicon, but adds some nice features, like differential step/dir and 24V I/O. Much better than CNC4PC breakout boards.
For the UC300ETH, I'd go with the UB1 breakout board.
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Hi Craig,
This is a nice stimulating conversation we are having and it is nice to see that we can do it and be civil at the same time.
Please see my replies in bold
Hi,
the Hicon Hobby (not that I can find it on their site) is over $435 by your post.
It is only shows up in the store. http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/store.php (http://www.vitalsystem.com/portal/store.php) It is about 3 rows down
They really need help on the advertising side of things.
The ESS is $190, even if you add $46 for two BoBs that's $236.
I might live on the other side of the world but that is $199 difference. And that is for the Hicon Hobby....not the real thing.
I have not used the ESS or the UC300, but again, those BOBs you point out are not optoisolated, just buffered. If that is OK with you, then fine. I also don't know if they will support the analog output for the spindle. Per ger21(hi Gerry) this would be the way to go. https://www.cncroom.com/break-out-board/smooth-stepper (https://www.cncroom.com/break-out-board/smooth-stepper)
24V I/O and support for the analog out for the spindle plus it allows access to all 3 ports of I/O
ESS $180 + MB2 $150 = $330. Now the difference is within ~$100
Each person will have to decide what to spend their money on....I will not be buying a cutdown version of the Hicon any time soon.
In the last fortnight Warp9 has added single point lathe threading to their Mach4 plugin on top of backlash compensation that was added
three months ago. Excepting THC there is nothing that I require from a Hicon that can't be delivered by a much cheaper option.
Agreed, we all must decide what we want to spend our money on. As you say, IN THE LAST FORTNIGHT, they have added single point threading and backlash compensation. How much longer until it is really working well? Not slamming Warp9, but it may take a while until it is properly debugged. Look how long it took Mach 3 to work really well and it still has problems. Mach4 is progressing nicely but it was not an overnight happing. Since the motion contol boards have to work with MachX, there will be a need to keep the plugins up to date,something that Warp 9 has struggled with.
The "cut down" aspects of the Hobby version make it the perfect choice for a stepper machine or the more budget minded person who wants one of the best controllers out there. If the limitations are to much for you, then the Full Hiconn becomes another option
You may point out that the Hicon can, at extra expense close a servo loop. You may also be aware that modern AC servos have rendered
that functionality moot and so it applicability is to old school servos. Having bought one AC servo and had my eyes opened I won't be
fiddling with any old school servos any time soon.
Using the Hiconn to do closed loop of a servo system allows for there to be a central controller instead of doing it in each servo drive. Again, this gives you more options.
I've been using Homman Designs BoBs, not dissimilar to C10s, that is non optisolated for five years without problems. Wherever I determine that
there may be a voltage conflict I add an optocoupler as required. For instance my Vexta stepper drivers have optoisolated inputs thus there
is no gain in having optoisolated outputs on the BoB as well.
I agree that double optoisolation is not the way to go, I think that it is great that you have not had any problems. I have heard other people say that they don't use any protection at all, and they have not had a problem. Great for them too. However, when something goes wrong, then it could fry your motion controller, how much money and time did you save?
Adding optoisolation as need is great, but many of us are not that skilled at electronics and would not know when to add the extra security.
Let's be very clear, I am not here to pick a fight nor "shill" for Vital Systems, I, like you, want everyone to be able to make an informed decision.
For what it's worth, and I did mention it before, my next choice of controller is the Pokeys 57CNC. I think it has great support, is reasonably priced, has plenty of I/O, and best of all for my use, it supports Auggie. Auggie machine control software is something I am using on a new project ;D
Mike
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Hi,
I'd recommend the MB2 motherboard
I disagree. The MB2 is a good board but the manufacturer has already made all the decisions about which pins are inputs or outputs
including whether they are line driver or single ended outputs.
On Page 4 of the manual is an overview.
12 Line driver Outputs
14 Sink/Single ended Outputs
12 NPN inputs.
1 PWM analogue output
All very well unless you what more inputs say.
The ESS has port 1 pins 2-9 as outputs always but ports 2 and 3 pins 2-9 can be block assigned as inputs or outputs.
Thus if you want the maximum number of inputs then:
port1 12 outputs
5 inputs
port2 4 outputs
13 inputs
port3 4 outputs
13 inputs
total 20 outputs
31 inputs
The C10 or the Homman Designs BoBs allow me the choice as to exactly the balance of inputs to outputs.
They are also plain TTL so are all capable of better than the 4MHz limit of the ESS. If I require
a linedriver for a given output I add it, if I require an optoisolated input or output I add it, if I want an analogue
PWM output I design and build my own filter, if I require a 24V interface I use a 2 cent transistor to do it.
In short any input or output requirement can be met by adding a little circuitry to a C10 or Homman designs BoB.
3 x C10's @ $23 each = $69
1 M02 =$150
The last time I looked Peter Homman's Bobs were up to $56 (also confusingly called the MB-02V6):
3 x MB-02V6 =$168
Thus the Homman designs BoBs are more expensive than the CNC Room MB02, however I choose to support Peter,
a longtime contributor to this forum and an Australian neighbor.
Mike:
ESS $180 + MB2 $150 = $330. Now the difference is within ~$100
That's still $100. My $100 is hard earned, I'm not averse to spending it if I see an advantage but refuse to part with it if I don't.
The cut down Hobby Hicon is not a good choice for me....my servo running at full speed at full resolution requires a step signal
of 468kHz, well within the ESS but impossible with the Hobby Hicon....the full Hicon however is a contender.
Using the Hiconn to do closed loop of a servo system allows for there to be a central controller instead of doing it in each servo drive. Again, this gives you more options.
If you are using an existing DC servo arrangement then the flexibility of the Hicon, with the extra required activations is indeed a very powerful unit.
Its rivals Gallil and they are more expensive again. You may have noted that all the servo manufactures close the loop within the drive and almost
all offer distributed motion control via Ethercat, Profibus or Canopen....and others. In short the CNC world is going, and has been for a decade or more,
to ever increasing intelligence in the servo drive. Closing the loop within the controller is becoming increasingly anachronistic.
You may recall OP is looking for a controller and servo/drives to repower an existing gas cutting table. THC, lathe threading, yada, yada is just so
much background noise to him. Given that he is looking at modern Ac servos and drives then he has no intention of spending big dollars and adding
a bunch of complication by closing the servo loop with a Hicon.
If you can come up with a combination that beats or even comes close to the budget I posted earlier I'm sure OP would be delighted to hear it.
and I did mention it before, my next choice of controller is the Pokeys 57CNC
I have not used one but look at them very favourably, the analogue input capability is a definite advance over the ESS, shame they are limited
to 125kHz.
Craig
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Hi,
I wish to correct a mistake I made in my previous post. I have wrongly described the inputs/outputs available
from the MB02. I have attached a pic of the table from which I drew the info but was mistaken in the number
of inputs and outputs.
12 Line driver outputs
15 Single ended/relay contact outputs
18 NPN inputs
5 PNP inputs
1 Analogue PWM output
Total = 51 I/O. The ESS has a total of 51 I/O's.
As Gerry has pointed out that for many projects the MB02 is a very good fit with a good balance of capabilities and is a very practical
solution. My forte is electronics and can therefore adapt the plain TTL I/O to whatever is required and thereby retain the flexibility
of I/O assignment and at a cheaper cost.
For someone who cannot or will not make a few simple circuit additions to a 'plain Jane' board like a C10 then the MB02 is a good choice.
Craig
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Hey Craig,
Are these the correct models:
Driver: DYN4-L01A2-00 0.05 ~ 0.4kW $218.00
Motor: 640-DST-A6HS1 0.40kW 1.27N.m 3.82N.m 60mm $177.00
Model numbers found here, under System Selection: http://www.dmm-tech.com/Dyn4_main.html
TJoensen
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Hi,
yes they'll do the job nicely. Considerably cheaper than the Schnieder ones you linked to earlier.
You may have noted there are a couple of choices. You could use 60V units which are a little cheaper,
you would of course require a separate 60V power supply, rather denting any cost saving.
The DYN4 models are 220VAC input, yep just hook them up to the incoming mains voltage via a fuse/breaker/contactor
or whatever.....no extra power supply required. These would be preferred. Naturally if you choose the 200V drives
then you'll want the 200V servos as you have listed.
I note in one of my earlier posts I claimed the price was $147....but that was for the 60V unit.....good spotting
on your part, it so easy to make a mistake.
Craig
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Is the BoB used to connect emergency stop and other buttons?
Do cables and other accessories come with the products, or are purchased separately ?
TJoensen
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Cables and all accessories are extra.
When you buy a drive, all you get is the drive.
When you buy a motor, you just get the motor.
The DMM breakout board has a limited number of inputs (4?) one for E-Stop, and 3 for limit switches, but you could use them for buttons or other things.
There are many other breakout boards available. You don't have to use DMM's bob.
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What BoB would you recommend to go with the ESS ?
TJoensen
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MB2 from CNC Room, as I mentioned earlier. But it may be a lot more than you need.
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Is it possible to use Mach 4 with the ESS on a laptop? Or do I need a desktop ?
TJoensen
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ger21,
How's the MB2-02-V6 from Homann Designs ?
The MB2 from CNC Room is abit expensive.
TJoensen
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I don't have any experience with it, but Peter Homann has an excellent reputation in the Mach3 community.
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Hi,
I use the Homman Designs MB-02V6 and they are fine. Note they are TTL output, ie 5V. If you want 24V IO or optisolated or PWM
outputs then you will have to add your own circuitry. That exactly what I do, electronics is my thing, so its easy to do.
The CNC Room MB02 comes into its own if you don't want to add interface circuitry.
Craig
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Hi,
Is it possible to use Mach 4 with the ESS on a laptop? Or do I need a desktop ?
Yes, the ESS takes over all the critical timing duty from the PC and therefore the timing abilities of the PC and laptops in
particular no longer present a hurdle they once did.
I run my machine with a dual core Atom miniITX board with on chip graphics, a very low power/performance PC but it does an
entirely adequate job.
I haven't tried one of the LattePandas yet, but with 4/64G and Windows 10 installed all for $209.......
https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1585.html (https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1585.html)
Craig
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Hey,
I've got most of the components now. I'm just missing the cables that go from the motor to drivers (that should arrive this week).
So, I have:
2x DYN4 Series drivers from dmm-tech
2x 0.4kW DST servo motors from dmm-tech
1x Ethernet Smooth Stepper
1x MB2 from cncroom
I was wondering about the MB2 board, do I need to connect all 3 ports to the board ? I have cables that can connect the drivers directly into the ports, and then I only have 1 port left for the MB2 board.
Is it better to connect all ports to the MB2 board, and then connect the drivers to MB2 ? Then I'd have to cut the cable, and figure out which wires go where ?
Thanks in advance for all the help :)
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If you aren't plugging all 3 cables into the MB2, then you wasted your money on the MB2.
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Yea, I realize that. But I won't be using the full potential of the MB2 board anyway.. I need a E-stop and maybe some limit switches(?).
If I read the documentation right, all those signals go through the 1 cable. I was just thinking of making life abit easier for myself, by using the connectors I got with the drivers.
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Hi,
If I read the documentation right, all those signals go through the 1 cable. I was just thinking of making life abit easier for myself, by using the connectors I got with the drivers.
The whole point about using a breakout board or boards is to provide buffering for the ESS. In buying the MB02 you have paid a premium
for the protection it offers....why then would you bypass that to 'make it easier on yourself'?
If you had felt inclined to do that why didn't you buy just one or maybe two C10's for a fraction of the money?
Craig
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Ok, I'll be using the MB2 breakout board.
A quick question about the DYN4 Servo drive from DMM-Tech.
I'm in Europe, where we use 220-240VAC/3x400VAC.
Do I need a converter to 110VAC or can I run the driver from 220VAC single phase?
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Hi,
the DYN4 servo drives have 320VDC link voltage which is derived from 220-240VAC single phase.
Craig
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Hey Craig,
I've been trying to wire the motors up to the MB2/ESS last couple of days, but I can't seem to get it running with Mach4.
I tried using the USB cable to the DYN4 driver, and that worked fine.
What I've done so far: (I'm using breadboard jumper cables, to connect to the idc26 connector, that's connected to the DYN4 drive)
XS+(on MB2) -> pin11(idc26 connector)
XS-(on MB2) -> pin23(idc26 connector)
XD+(on MB2) -> pin22(idc26 connector)
XD-(on MB2) -> pin10(idc26 connector)
Y301(on MB2) -> pin15(idc26 connector) = this pin is configure as active low on Mach4, for the enable pin
24v(onMB2 -> pin16(idc26 connector) = 24VIN pin on the driver
GND/0V(on MB2) -> pin1(idc26 connector)
Any help on this would be really appreciated.
TJoensen
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Hi,
couple of questions....
You say pin11(idc26 connector) for instance but the DYN4 IO connector is not idc26 it is a DB25 connector. I am not
sure but I think the pin numbering is different between idc26 and DB 25.
Can't tell from the MB2 manual what the output voltage of the XD+/XD- pair is. Can you put a multimeter between XD+ and XD-
and toggle by issuing a positive X axis move followed by a negative X axis move.
If the output swing is 24 V then DO NOT HOOK theses outputs to your DYN4 driver. The step/direction inputs of the DYN4 are expecting 5V
swing. If you applied a 24V swing input signal it will damage the input opto coupler of the drive.
Craig
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Hi,
another source of confusion is the status of the Enable signal. I have attached the pin description from the DYN4 manual.
Would you measure the enable pin (pin 15 of the DB25 connector) to internal ground (pin 0 of the DB25 connector).
It should be 24V when you wish the servo to run. From your description of its status you may have to change the polarity
of this signal in the ESS plugin.
Craig
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Hey,
I should have clarified that better. I have a DB25 to idc26 ribbon cable connected to the DYN4 driver, and then I insert the jumper wires into the idc26 connector.
XD+/XD- measure 3.5V with a positive axis move and when staying in place. With a negative axis move, they measure 2.9V
The enable pin, measures only 1.6V, so that means the motor doesn't even enable, correct ?
TJoensen
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Ok.. I just tried beeping the pins on the ribbon cable, and it's not the same layout as the Driver.. So I've plugged all pins in the wrong places.
Hope I didn't destroy anything by this dumb mistake. I'm gonna try rewiring everything tomorrow.
TJoensen
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Hi,
those numbers sound a bit off. I would expect the voltage difference between XD+ and XD- to be 5V when in one direction and 0V in the other
May I suggest leaving the DYN4 unplugged and out of the equation until you have the MB2 under control.
Try that XD+ to XD- again.
If you get sensible results now hook up the DYN4, but just the 24V supply, the 0V return and the Enable signal.
Where are you measuring the Enable voltage?
What I think you have happening is you have 24V supply from the MB2 but you don't have a 0V return.
Connect a 24V output of your MB2 to pin 16 of the DB25 connector AND a 0V output of the MB2 to pin 1 of the DB25.
With the servo enabled there should be 24V between pins 15 and 1.
Now try hooking up the step/direction signals.
Craig
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Hey,
I tried removing the DYN4 driver from the equation, like you said.
I have connected a multimeter to XD+(poistive pin of multimeter)/XD-(negative pin).
In the Mach4 ESS plugin config, I set motor0 to CW/CCW, and tested the voltage.
When moving X-axis in positive direction I get 2.9V, and 3.5V in negative direction.
Then I tried to set motor0 to Step/Dir, in ESS plugin config, and tested the voltage again.
When moving X-axis in positive direction I get 3.5V, and -3.9V in negative direction.
I tested the Y-axis too, and it's the same.
TJoensen
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Hi,
Then I tried to set motor0 to Step/Dir, in ESS plugin config, and tested the voltage again.
When moving X-axis in positive direction I get 3.5V, and -3.9V in negative direction
Yes, this is what you want. Set the ESS up as step/dir.
Now work through the Enable signal.
Craig
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Ok,
What am trying to do with the enable signal? Get 24v output?
TJoensen
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Hi,
no, it will form a conductive path. You need to supply 24V from the MB2 to pin 16, 0V from the MB2 to pin 1 and then connect
the Enable output of the MB2 to pin 15.
When the DYN4 is enabled pin 15 will be 24V, when disabled 0V.
Craig
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Hey,
I tried to connect the driver, like you said.
If I'm measuring voltage between pin 15 and pin 1, I get 0V when motor is disabled and 13,78V when motor is enabled.
Tjoensen
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Hi,
I'm surprised that the voltage drops that much but it suggests that there is current flowing into the DYN4 and should be
sufficient to turn the opto diode on.
You should now be able to hook up the step/dir signals and the servo should run.
How have you programmed the drive?
Craig
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Hey,
Programmed the drive how?
TJoensen
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Hey,
Sorry, I misunderstood your question above. I haven't really programmed the drive. I downloaded the software from dmm-tech.com and tried it to test the drive and ran the Auto-tuning.
That's pretty much it. Is there more programming I should do before proceeding ?
I tried to connect the Step/Dir signals to the drive, but I still get no movement at all.
TJoensen
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Hi,
the servo has many different modes in which it can operate. You could for instance have an analogue voltage drive it to a certain speed
or a certain torque.
You require step/direction position control. You will at least have to tell the drive that's whats expected of it.
Does the PC software with which you program the drive not have those options?
Craig
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Hey,
I thought I had set it to Step/Dir, but apparently not. I set it to Step/Dir in the software, and restarted the drive (power off and back on).
Connected it back to ESS, and we have motion now!
Now I just need to tune it.
Thanks for all the help, Craig :)
TJoensen
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Hey,
One more question.
In the Motors tab under Control configuration, What do I set all the parameters to there ? (Counts per unit, Velocity Units/Minute, Acceleration Unit/(sec^2) ?
TJoensen
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Hi,
those are Mach's motor tuning parameters, they have to be set for your machine.
The steps per unit for instance depends on the pitch of your ballscrews and what gear/belt reduction, if any, between
your servo and the screw. That's all to do with the mechanics of your machine. Without a lot more details I can't
help you.
Craig