Messages

1

FAQs / Re: parallel port to serial

« on: July 11, 2019, 08:19:54 AM »

Yes got a 32 bit windows 7 machine.
Cant seem to see anything on stepper motor that will identify it, just a a black motor. Ill try remove one and see if there is anything in front of it.
They have 4 wires from what i can see.

2

FAQs / Re: parallel port to serial

« on: July 11, 2019, 07:49:17 AM »

Hi,
Looking at my motor driver boards, not much info on card, probably custom made same as controller card.
There is 6 IC's on card - A3955SBT, read up on them - need two to drive each motor(x,y,z)
Is there anyway to work out from IC how to connect to it?

Was thinking of trying to just bypass Controller card in machine and connect directly to Mach parallel port for initial testing.
Do you think this advisable or wasting my time?
Thanks
Paul

3

FAQs / Re: parallel port to serial

« on: July 09, 2019, 11:59:17 AM »

Hi, looking at manual again - looks more like specific instructions for a company on how to use the machine and not much like a manual from company selling machine.
I have seen other places on the net where they say machine comes with a version of TypeEdit.
Might also be a different model to mine that had a USB or Parallel port, but does look a pirated version of Mach.
 

4

FAQs / Re: parallel port to serial

« on: July 09, 2019, 11:34:46 AM »

Hi, thanks for info.
Retrofitting looks like best option (probably only option ) and fun project to do.
Machine build does not look bad, apparently they used a German Spindle(water cooled), I generally try stay away from Chinese machines, for quality and support. You get better support from 50 year old machines than you do on brand new Chinese machines, but anyway I have the machine now.
 
The Ethernet SmoothStepper looks like the way to go, why not use mach4, not that much of a price difference.
Will this be able to control my spindle as well or should I just leave spindle alone?
What else will would I need to buy?
I assume a can keep the stepper motors already on the machine.
From what I can see the controller board connects to another board, think it is the board that drives the motors.
Will I need to replace this?

Sorry for stupid questions, not very clued up on electronic side.
Yet I have another project lined up - got a Deckel FP3 NC machine that I need to get up and running one day.
Hopefully that I wont have to retrofit, but who knows I might end up doing one day.

5

FAQs / Re: parallel port to serial

« on: July 09, 2019, 07:18:10 AM »

Hi,
No only has a 9pin serial connector on the machine.

6

FAQs / Re: parallel port to serial

« on: July 09, 2019, 03:54:18 AM »

I found a manual for it( or similar machine)
http://web.nchu.edu.tw/~daw/Manual/Metal_CNC_carving.pdf

Confusing part is the program they seem to use looks identical to Mach3.

Any suggestions on new stepper controllers and external motion controller and spindle controller, maybe this will be easiest option.

Could I try and just send G-code or HPGL) to machine and see if it does anything?
Or is there different versions (protocols) of the G-code - machine specific?
Read something on using hyperterminal to do this.
Thanks for info

7

FAQs / Re: parallel port to serial

« on: July 08, 2019, 03:42:42 PM »

Thanks for info.
Think this is the controller, not much info on it.
Apparently machine originally came with TypeEdit,
Supplier said they cant help - dont support machine any more.

8

FAQs / parallel port to serial

« on: July 08, 2019, 02:03:59 PM »

Hi,
I recently bought a cnc engraver( 3 axis's ). It is a Chinese machine, Suda SD3025SXH.
It only has a serial port on the back of the machine and looks like it is only using 4 pins from the Serial Port.
I installed Mach3 on a PC and can get voltage on/off on pins 2,3 and 4.

I was thinking of using the parallel port  on the PC and connecting to the serial port on machine.
Anyone ever done this or am I wasting my time?
If possible - how do I go about figuring out the pin layout on machine?
Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul