Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Home sequence ignoring switch

« on: June 19, 2013, 05:26:23 AM »

Okay it's starting to make sense now. If I understand you correctly that would explain why when I install the software on a laptop it will not respond to emulated signals even without the plugin installed as it has no printer port. The desktop pc on the other hand will be able to emulate signals via the printer port. This would appear then to be a completely separate issue to the one I was facing with the actual limit switch signal that appears to be resolved with the noise allowance.
Thanks heaps for your help.
Coogan

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Home sequence ignoring switch

« on: June 19, 2013, 05:09:48 AM »

FYI disabling of MaxNC and enabling enhanced pulsing had no effect on the problem as you suggested it shouldn't.
Cheers
Coogan

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Home sequence ignoring switch

« on: June 19, 2013, 05:01:23 AM »

After much troubleshooting I believe I have isolated part of the problem. Here is the testing I have done:
Installed mach3 software without plugin on another laptop with windows 8 and very similar software. Used original unaltered xml file. Jogged axis with arrow keys and ran ref all triggering homing switches by emulated buttons. Result was the same: homing sequence was unaffected by triggering of switch even though screen LED lights still indicated switch trigger signal was being received by mach3.
Installed older version of mach3 software and then newer version (Mach3Version3.043.067). Same result.
Installed and ran exact same software on desktop PC with altered xml code which worked fine.
Installed mach3 on older (windows NT) laptop which initially worked fine. After installing ESS plugin it started playing up in the exact same manner as described above.
My summary of results at this point was that it didnt seem to be the xml file in isolation, windows 8 or the ESS plugin.
More testing continued until I was able to get the mach3 software (Mach3Version3.043.066) with ESS plugin (ESS_v10hd2.zip) to accept the real trigger signal during homing by placing a 2.0 value in the plugin config noise filtering of inputs variable for homing and limits. I am really happy that it is working however I still don't understand the problem as it still doesn't accept the emulated signal. ??
I do appreciated the help received already and hope that my struggles will assist to relieve someone else from experiencing the same pain.
I will keep my eye on the thread if anyone else is interested in getting to the bottom of this and will be happy to try and suggested fixes.
Cheers
Coogan

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Home sequence ignoring switch

« on: June 18, 2013, 09:19:58 PM »

Please find attached file renamed CooganPlasma

5

General Mach Discussion / Home sequence ignoring switch

« on: June 18, 2013, 04:39:27 AM »

Hi,
I have recently set up a 2 axis CNC plasma cutter with servo driven ball screws receiving signals via a laptop communicating through ethernet to a smooth stepper and breakout board. Communication settings and wiring appear to be correct as I can jog both axes and trigger the limit switch located on the most negative position of the table (LED (M2HOME) on screen lights up yellow when switch triggered). Unfortunately however the homing sequence ignores the limit switch during the ref Y command. If I press this button the y axis moves slowly backwards looking for the switch however does not react when it hits it or is manually triggered. I even tried emulating the button however there is no change. I have checked that the input is enabled for Y axis home and check the direction is correct in the config homing/limits option screen. The peculiar thing is that if I press up twice during the homing sequence it zeros the machine coordinates as if it had just hit the limit switch.
Any help would be much appreciated.
cheers
Coogan

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: June 18, 2013, 04:23:53 AM »

Hi,
I'm a new member to this forum and new user of mach3. I have limited experience with CNC control however will endeavour to make use of the knowledge made available here in order to catch up. Currently I have a plasma torch attached to servo driven x and y axes. The servos are controlled using an ethernet connected smooth stepper and breakout board. The plasma moves as required however I am still having trouble with some elementary steps within Mach3.
Look forward to many tips, suggestions and comments from you all.
cheers,
Coogan