Messages

1

SmoothStepper USB / Re: ESS and C11G help needed

« on: June 15, 2018, 10:07:21 AM »

Thanks for the responses guys!

If I tell the ESS config that I want 'step/dir' spindle control then the pin mapping gets weird.  In 'PWM' mode I can map a pin for the PWM signal.  However, in 'step/dir' mode this option turns into 'Spindle - unused'.  And while I can map pin 14 to 'spindle - unused', I cannot turn the pin on/off, much less control it's voltage.

The manual I'm following is here: http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C11G-R9_USER_MANUAL.pdf  

I've followed the manual in connecting 2x 5V signals to power the board, and connecting a 12V signal (as per page 7).  There are pins for "0-10V" and "GNDA" which I believe are the variable analog and analog ground pins (these are completely separate from pin 14).  I'm lost when it comes to how pin 14 is related, if at all, to these analog voltage pins.

Joe, I tried your PWM on pin 9 idea, but I can't get any voltage out.  I'm probably missing something on the mach config side of things...  I've set a maximum spindle speed (in 2 places on that screen), step/dir spindle axis is left as 'none'.  I notice that although spindle PWM is an option in the ESS config, it is not showing up in the mach config output signals tab.

2

SmoothStepper USB / ESS and C11G help needed

« on: June 14, 2018, 05:26:49 PM »

Hi Folks,

I'm having an excruciating time trying to get my spindle control working.  Running Mach 4, ESS v216, and a C11G BOB.  All I'm trying to do is get a variable 0-5V output from the board to replace a potentiometer that drives my brushless dc spindle motor. 

My understanding is that pin 14 on the board should be able to do this, but I can't get the ESS configured correctly.  Not sure if I should be in PWM, OB, or relay control.  Some have said to set the spindle up as I would another axis motor.  Other's have said to leave it in PWM, no step or dir signals needed.  I'm completely clueless.

The board also has this 'analog output' pin.  Should I try using this instead of pin 14?  Does this work in cunjunction with pin 14?

My sincere thanks to anyone who can shred some light on this.

3

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Homing & Limit Switches

« on: June 02, 2018, 11:31:28 PM »

You can wire multiple switches in series and use one input.  You don't need 9 discrete inputs.

4

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Homing & Limit Switches

« on: May 23, 2018, 12:18:51 PM »

it doesn't know which end the machine is at.

But it should!!  If I'm doing a X+ move when it trips the switch mach should know, "hey, I just tripped limit while moving in X+, I can't move anymore in X+, but I can move in X-".

The only thing limiting 3 switches being used instead of 9 is the control software.  Though I do understand the need for "kill" switches on bigger and more powerful machines.

Simplicity is not a poor excuse, it is good design philosophy. 

5

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Homing & Limit Switches

« on: May 23, 2018, 01:12:12 AM »

Hiya Craig, thanks for the quick reply.

The reason I don't want to fit more switches is for simplicity sake.  A switch as the end of each axis seems silly when one switch in the middle should be able to do the same job.  Less wires, less money, less things to go wrong...

I don't know why industrial machines use 9 (though I agree, that's also what I have seen), when the same can be accomplished with 3.

I may end up the soft limits route... though having the limit switches would be nice for peace of mind.  I'll surely forget to home the machine at some point...

Cheers.

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Homing & Limit Switches

« on: May 23, 2018, 12:38:29 AM »

I know this topic is common and I've tried to do my due diligence in reading related posts.  However, I have not been able to find a satisfactory answer, so here goes:

I have a single switch per axis that I'd like to use as ++, --, and home.  I have three total switches (3 axis) wired in series to a single input.

I can home the machine without it kicking up an e-stop (others have had problems with this).  However, when I hit a limit while jogging Mach throws up "XYZ home tripped, XYZ ++ tripped, XYZ -- tripped, and enters e-stop condition.  That is, I suppose, the correct response from Mach-- but it's not what I want.

I'd like Mach to ignore the sensor as a homing signal when jogging/running g code, and ignore the sensor as a limit signal when homing.

I haven't got there yet, but I also foresee another issue:  When I do trigger a limit switch (which mach sees as both ++ and --) and I going to be able to jog off the switch in the opposite direction?  Or am I going to be stuck in linear motion purgatory, not allowed to move either direction?

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond! 
N

7

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Printer Port Discussions

« on: January 17, 2016, 02:25:31 PM »

Art,

Okay, I seem to have fixed it by changing the axis x and axis y selections.  I'm not really sure what those selections were changing, but it's worked, so I'm a happy man.

Thanks for the help,
N

8

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Printer Port Discussions

« on: January 12, 2016, 10:26:10 AM »

Art,

I'm talking about the jogging "LED" in the diagnostics part of the motor configure page.  It goes green when I jog X&Y but stays red when I try to jog Z.  The motors are otherwise configured in an identical manner. 

Thanks,
N

9

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Printer Port Discussions

« on: January 11, 2016, 09:59:09 PM »

Hi Folks,

I've just finished wiring my electronics up and I'm trying to configure Darwin.  I have my X & Y steppers jogging smoothly through Darwin and Mach 4.  However, my Z is giving me some trouble.  Motor #2 (my Z axis) is configured in a similar manner to the X and Y, however, the jogging "light" does not go green when I activate the jog pad... No motion at all.  BUT, when I negate the step signal the motor moves a tiny amount and with a painful grinding noise.  I'm running a C10 BOB and I measure a clean 5v when I toggle my Z pul and dir pins on individually.

I know it's not a motor problem.  My only idea is that the driver (Keling 8070Digital), which is different from the X & Y drivers, is causing a problem?  But would that explain not getting a green light when jogging in Darwin?

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Nico