Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and older Techno

« on: September 14, 2009, 05:09:19 PM »

I had a similar experiance with my table. It took me 3 months to figure out mach3 runs without a controller. Mach 3 turns your PC into a controller. Controllers are solid state and are usually meant to run on the specific program it came with. Mach3 is more universal. It works on step and direction pulses sent to your motor drivers. Do your steppers have 4 wires going into the controller or the motor drivers? If they go into the drivers they should have a couple wires going into it from your power supply aswell. One high voltage like 24 vdc and one low voltage 5 vdc. The step and direction pulses go from your driver into a breakout board which basically provides an interface between the parralel port cable and and the drivers and limit switches. It has a bunch of screw down ports on it where you strip and insert the wires. It should be labled what pin it goes to. then you program it into the Mach 3 software and calibrate it. All this is in the Mach 3 manual.

Alot of the older hardware is limited by its original software because computers weren't as flexible or powerful back then. You shouldn't have any problem finding drivers if your machine doesn't have any. 3 drivers will cost around $350-400. A breakout board is around $50. A new power supply is around $100. Thats really all you need unless your stepper motors are 5 wire. 6, and 8, wire motors work. You just don't use the extra wires.

My motors are 8 wire, and here is a photo. I ordered the G540, and hope to use the power supply on the Techno. Please take a look at the photo and give me your thoughts. Much appreciated. BP

And here is the G540
http://www.geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 14, 2009, 02:04:28 PM »

May I humbly suggest a new drive box I'm building that employs a Gecko G540: http://soigeneris.com/CNCPartsPage4.aspx. One other things I noticed is that your steppers are the older round style. You might want to consider getting some newer 'square' steppers as well. The newer square bodied steppers are more powerful and as an added benefit starting out with a new drive and steppers will remove a lot of the unknowns you are experiencing with your current set up.

Jeff, thanks for the offer, but I have already placed an order for the G540. I appreciate your willingness to assist me with my project, and may well need to use your services before this is over.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 14, 2009, 02:03:03 PM »

Thanks for the help guys, it is much appreciated.

Here is what I have decided to do, and need your opinions on this course of action, as well as recommendations for the proper equipment.

1. Change from Vista to XP , either home edition or PRO, whichever is recommended.

My personal preference would be XP, home or Pro shouldn't matter, I use Pro but thats just because its what I have.

2. Purchase a new 4 axis controller that will work with MACH3 and my stepper motors.

I would appreciate any and all advice, and entertain buying a controller from someone here on the forum that has one compatible with my motors.


Best regards

BP

If you are wanting a 4 axis in one then the  Gecko G540 should work fine with your steppers and has 4 axis built in.The good thing about the G540 is it is actually individual drives so if one goes bad you just need to replace that, most of the other, if not all, multi axis drives are all built on the same board so if one goes bad you need to replace the whole thing.
 I have  used Geckos G201, G202 and Leadshines 8 Amp drives and all work well but are individual drives so a lot more wiring is needed.

Hood

Thanks for the advice. Can you recommend the proper power supply for the motors I have in the photo?  I ordered a G540, will need a P/S and what other components to construct a working controller? Thanks in advance again. BP

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 13, 2009, 05:06:12 PM »

Hi, BORDER PATROL

Dose the att pic show the wire color code you have, I think your steppers are wired parallel, Bipolar.

Chip
[/quote]

Hi Chip,
 the color coded wires look to be as follows:

yellow, white/red stripe

white/yellow stripe, red

white/orange

white/orange stripe/black

then brown/green/white

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 13, 2009, 03:20:33 PM »

Thanks for the help guys, it is much appreciated.

Here is what I have decided to do, and need your opinions on this course of action, as well as recommendations for the proper equipment.

1. Change from Vista to XP , either home edition or PRO, whichever is recommended.

2. Purchase a new 4 axis controller that will work with MACH3 and my stepper motors.

I would appreciate any and all advice, and entertain buying a controller from someone here on the forum that has one compatible with my motors.


Best regards

BP

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 11, 2009, 07:17:49 PM »

I'll get back with you, thanks

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 11, 2009, 07:04:46 PM »

Here is a top and side view of the stepper motor:

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 10, 2009, 12:19:45 PM »

Ask here, your last post wasnt exactly specific and unless someone actually knows your machine then its unlikely you will get help. Provide documentation or pics of the drives, motors  etc then you will more than likely get help.
 As for people taking your money for the software then yes that is exactly what they did, they didnt take money for doing the retrofit
There are manuals and videos and this support forum all designed to give you help but you need to ask specifics or provide info as people are not mind readers.

Fair enough. The controller is a Mac 100, and I will post pics of the motors and drives. TY

9

General Mach Discussion / MACH 3 SUPPORT

« on: September 09, 2009, 07:45:32 PM »

I started a thread asking for help with Mach3 and my Techno, but no one replied. Where do you talk to the people who took your money for the software? I need technical support, but do not know where to ask. Thanks

10

General Mach Discussion / Mach 3 and older Techno

« on: September 08, 2009, 07:00:20 PM »

I purchased Mach3 to run my first gen. Techno gantry style machine. It has a Mac 100 controller and I am using a PC with Vista.

Where do I begin?

Am I going to have problems with the old controller? If so, what controller will work?

Am I going to have problems with Vista? If so, do I need to downgrade to XP?

The Techno has steppers, so the out of date servo motors is not an issue.

Bottom line, I spent 8 hours watching a experienced Tech scratch his head trying to make my machine run. I need help, advice, and any other type of support you can offer. Let me thank you in advance, it is much appreciated.


BTW, I am in the Memphis area, and if you can hook my machine up and get it cutting, please let me arrange for you to visit our shop. Best Regards


BP