Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: phando on April 05, 2021, 12:55:37 PM

Title: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on April 05, 2021, 12:55:37 PM
On the artsoft site I saw that Mach4 v2 only works with certain motion controllers. What I didn't find was a list of approved/preferred devices. Is there a link for that? Also I want to upgrade the controller in my mill as well. Is there a list of approved/preferred controllers for the mill?
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on April 05, 2021, 05:42:07 PM
Edit:
For the computer I am thinking about the HP 8300 SFF. Now for the controller card...
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on April 05, 2021, 05:48:34 PM
I use an ESS with a PMDX-126.
The HICON Integra is nice also.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on April 05, 2021, 06:21:27 PM
Those look like some nice pieces of hardware. What is the ESS?
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: stevehuck on April 05, 2021, 06:29:28 PM
ESS = Ethernet Smooth Stepper
USS = USB Smooth Stepper
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on April 05, 2021, 06:31:17 PM
(Thumbs Up)
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on April 06, 2021, 01:06:36 AM
Quote from: stevehuck on April 05, 2021, 06:29:28 PM
ESS = Ethernet Smooth Stepper
USS = USB Smooth Stepper

Just a heads-up...

Warp9 support for the USS Smooth Stepper has ended in favour of the ESS.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 08, 2021, 12:06:45 AM
Quote from: Bill_O on April 05, 2021, 05:48:34 PM
I use an ESS with a PMDX-126.
The HICON Integra is nice also.

Hey All, It's been a while but I am making progress.

@Bill_O Your setup sounded good so I went with it. I have the PMDX-126 and ESS in the mill and wired up to the motor controls and the limit switches. Would you please share some of your ESS and Mach4 config screens with me?

I have my motors wired and mapped in the ESS like below, is that correct?
2 X Step - Port 1 pin 2
3 X Dir - Port 1 pin 3
4 Y Step - Port 1 pin 4
5 Y Dir - ...
6 Z Step - ...
7 Z Dir - ...
8 A Step - ...
9 A Dir - ...

My limit switches are wired up to the following pins. If the above mappings are correct, then I think I know how to take care of 13 and 15, but how do I reference the lettered pins from the ESS setup?
13 - Z--
15 - Z++
E - X--
F - X++
G - Y--
H - Y++

Any pointers about getting my setup to work Machine --> PMDX --> ESS --> Mach4 would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on June 08, 2021, 09:14:44 AM
Phando,

I have a lot of very custom stuff on my setup so some of it might just confuse you.
The PDF file might have most of the information you are wanting.
I have also attached my ini file.
You will need to go through it in notepad to find the information you are wanting because it will probably not work for you to replace yours.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 09, 2021, 01:12:53 AM
@Bill_O Thanks for the response and images!
I spent some time in the shop tonight and didn't get very far. I understand the mapping from the ESS plugin to Mach4, but I am getting confused with the PMDX-126 to the ESS mapping.

Specifically

Attached is a shot showing which pins I am using on the PMDX-126, does this setup look correct?
Motors on the bottom limit switches on the top.

Thanks!
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on June 09, 2021, 08:42:34 AM
Phando,

I think this is what you are looking for.
Yes the limits and motors are connected to the correct places as long as you have them wired correct and set up correct.

Bill
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 09, 2021, 09:59:38 AM
Thank you!
Yes, your setup had some trick stuff in it, but it was great to see what I can add later. Your labels make sense for the limit switches. Since port 1 and 2 only refer to the J11 and J12 jumper blocks, how do I refer to the pins my motor controllers are connected to?
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on June 09, 2021, 11:06:42 AM
This is how my motors are hooked up.
Most of my extra is in the screen so you are not seeing that.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 09, 2021, 11:29:19 PM
Great day in the morning, my mill is moving, thank you!
@BILL_O you are a badass

There are two limit switches per axis that move with the machine. They hit bumpers as they move along. One switch hits a bumper on each end. The other hits one bumper on one end. I have the two bumper switch mapped to limit ++ and limit --. The switch that hits one bumper is mapped to axis home. Is that correct? Where do I map the combo of the two switches to denote the machine being at the ++ limit vs the -- limit?


Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on June 10, 2021, 08:43:56 AM
Not sure what exactly you are asking but i will try.

If one switch is for limits on both ends then both the ++ and -- limit are the same pin.
If the above is true then the home switch is a different pin.

If one switch is the home and limit for one direction then they are the same pin and the limit for the other direction is a different pin.

Bill
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 10, 2021, 11:44:02 AM
That is exactly how the mill is configured. Is there a way or do I need to let the mill know when it is at limit++ or limit--?

Does the machine need to know these states?
limit and home = limit++
limit w/0 home = limit--
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on June 10, 2021, 11:53:18 AM
You do not have to do a home to limits i just think it is a good idea.
You have to set it up so the limits & home are configured to the correct pins in Mach and the ESS
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 14, 2021, 10:49:41 PM
Moving to the spindle now...

The ESS is working with the PMDX-126 and Mach4. The limit switches and motors are working, now it is time for the spindle via a Delta VFD-E. I would like to use the relays onboard the PMDX-126 to denote spindle direction. I believe my wiring is correct, but I need some help with the configuration. Looking at the setup below, can you please tell me how to configure the ESS and Mach4?

JP1 - Multimode
K1 Com --> VFD - DCM -- Input signal
K1 N/O --> VFD - M1 --> ESS - Clockwise

JP2 - Multimode
K2 Com --> VFD - DCM --> Input Signal
K2 N/O --> VFD - M2 --> ESS Counter Clockwise

J6 - 1 = PC5v+ --> VFD - ACM --> ESS - Spindle COM
J6 - 16 = Port 1 Pin 16 --> VFD - AVI --> ESS - Spindle PWM

Motor 5 is set up as a CW/CCW. When I run test commands (M3 and M4), I do not hear the relays on the board clicking. If you have any setup suggestions I would love to hear about them.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on June 15, 2021, 08:20:11 AM
Sorry I just turn a spindle on and off.
I use the same relays and I have the K1 relay jumper to the Pin "1" side and they work.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 18, 2021, 02:00:41 PM
Almost there...
I moved my jumpers from multimode back to Pin 1 and Pin 14. The relays are working and the VFD is showing fwd and rev!

The last step for the spindle is getting it to spin. In my Mach3 setup Spindle Motor Output and Spindle Motor Control were checked. For the new setup I am using a CW/CCW PWM motor. I am using the motor-on mapping in Mach4 but I would really like to see a motor-pwm mapping. Am I missing something?
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: Bill_O on June 18, 2021, 02:24:51 PM
Sorry but I can not help you with that.
I just turn the spindle on and off.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 18, 2021, 02:37:35 PM
@Bill_O Understood!
Thank you for all your help. You have helped get my machine moving and the relays working.
Title: Re: going from 3 to 4v2. Motion controller selection
Post by: phando on June 28, 2021, 02:36:28 PM
My conversion is complete! @Bill_O, thanks a million for the parts selection and the support. It looks like working in Mach4 is a big step forward. Now it is time for calibration.