Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Limit switch and probe trouble shooting.

« on: April 06, 2016, 03:12:38 PM »

Okay, this one has me completely baffled.

I just finished rewiring my entire machine, and utilized a star point ground this time.
All electrical noise 'seems' to be eliminated. I can set the debounce at zero, and nothing triggers.
(although my limit switches are slow to respond, and require 500u secs to not trigger when homing)

I've done continuity tests on all three sets of limits(x,y,z), and all (manual) tests are correct.

X+ X- and Z+ Z- operate correctly, Y- works correctly, but Y+ does not trigger at all (manually it does)
Through Mach3 diagnostic screen, I can see the limits activate as i test them. Y- will blink randomly when held down, and Y+ not at all.
Again, manual tests with a multi meter, tests both Y+ and Y- as working right.

My Probe on Z seems to do the same thing. When Probing for Z hight, it triggers in the air at random points, but tests correctly manualy.

Hope this all makes sense (at least in the description) cuz in real life, I'm baffled and cant locate the issue on this one.
This weekend, I'll be rewiring the probe and Y limits, with the hopes it is somehow faulty switches.
But maybe its the C10 BOB?

P.S. I use mechanical switches and would like to upgrade/improve the timing/functions of them and looking for options.

I also use a C10 BOB, and wouldn't mind upgrading that too. ESS is on the horizon, but cost is a factor at this time.
I'd like to get away from the PP all together and just get a full motion controller.

2

General Mach Discussion / New computer build

« on: March 10, 2016, 07:41:15 PM »

I'm getting tired of fighting with old PCs and hoping a new setup would/could be worth some headache.

My old PC (P4C800E-Dlx) was an outstanding stable system, and unfortunately, it has died.
I got (2) Lenovo M57 computers, and both are unstable and having driver/hardware issues (These are old too... 7-8 yrs?)
The on board parallel ports operate fast (27300+ mhz) Zfluctuate quite a bit and even drop to zero causing lost steps.

Considering these parts:
ASUS H81M-A LGA 1150 Intel H81
Intel Celeron G1820 Haswell Dual-Core 2.7 GHz
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3
Rosewill RC-302E - PCIe 1-Port Parallel Card
APEX DM-387 Black Steel Micro ATX with 275w PSU

I get can this new setup for under $300cnd
(I now have $200 tired up in used parts that aren't stable) 

Think this would offer up a good stable system? 
I will put on Win7 32bit for now to keep the PP and C10 BOB in use
But I plan on switching up to Mach4 and an ESS later this year.

Thanks,
Chris

3

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / I messed up with my new bench: EMF

« on: December 26, 2015, 10:18:53 PM »

My CNC is now losing steps, and think its due to EMF

I built a new cabinet and installed a new computer system for the CNC.

Now i'm losing steps. I'm thinking of pulling everything and lining the back with tinfoil
and installing some sort of a divider plate between the CPU and CNC electronics.

I had no issues with the old setup.

Thoughts?

4

General Mach Discussion / Kernel Speed Question

« on: August 01, 2015, 02:58:20 PM »

Note: Software must be restarted and motors retuned if kernel speed is changed.

Just wondering what affect this has?
I've just updated my hardware and Xp to Win7.
The old computer ran at 25khz and could not run any faster.
The new hardware, I can run at 100khz.

Are there any Pros/cons to running faster or leaving the frequency at 25khz.
I did find my Z axis would lose steps at anything other than 25khz, no matter what speed was used.
And I'm guessing that 'retuned' means testing and resetting the steps per unit?

Thanks,
Chris

5

General Mach Discussion / Exact Stop - kinda working?

« on: June 06, 2015, 07:09:44 PM »

Hi Guys, I've been struggling with a new one
I built a plotter attachment for the CNC and am trying to plot a blueprint.

I turned off CV and enabled exact stop (anything else need to be done?)
It doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason for what corner it misses.
but it is the same each time it is printed.

I know its not the gcode. It was generated with VCarve pro, and the corners are clean.
I've attached a few pics and the dxf file of the print.

Thanks,
Chris

6

General Mach Discussion / Removed EMI, but still need debounce?

« on: January 01, 2014, 08:47:10 PM »

Hello everyone!
Its been awhile since I've cruzed the forums here, but its great to see Mach3 still holding strong, and Mach4 coming soon!

I've been overhauling and upgrading my machine, and have now come into a problem.
I've rewired the machine with shielded cable, and pretty much completely eliminated all noise!
I used to run my debounce at 2000, but now I can reliably run the machine with it at 50!
*EXCEPT*
For when I home my axis in the Y direction!
Both Z and X axis will home correctly with a debounce setting of 50,
but the Y axis requires a minimum debounce of 1250, before it causes the limit switch to trip the machine.

I've been scratching my head or a few hours with this one, but can't nail it down.
any thoughts on why just the Y axis would require the higher debounce setting?

Thanks!
Chris

P.S. I'm not sure if this is a carry over from before the upgrades or not, as the debounce was set at 2000 before.
I'm pretty sure the machine is wired exactly as before, just with new wires.

7

General Mach Discussion / Todays's Computer hardware.

« on: March 19, 2012, 11:39:38 AM »

Hi guy's, I'm debating if I replace my Mach3 control computer.
It's currently running on a P4C800E-Dlx with a 2.4Ghz cpu and 2 Gigs of ram.
Its been one of the BEST computers I have owed for stability wise...
that is until recently...

Every now and then it just seems to 'shut down' on its own.
All power options ect... all the settings are disabled.
The shut downs are completely random. I have not been able
to pin point the reasons why it would do this.

So the question is, what is a decent computer that I can buy at
FutureShop/Best buy to be dedicated to Mach3. (Cheapest of course)
Dosen't have to be a big box store...

Also, how is Mach3 on a Win7 platform? Or does it still need XP?

99% of the computers out there no longer have the parallel port,
so I would require an apropriot PP card as well.

Thanks!
Chris

8

General Mach Discussion / Softlimit Warning when referencing the table

« on: January 30, 2012, 09:48:08 PM »

Hello everyone...
I need a little guidance with referencing my tools to the table top, instead of the height of the material.
For all my project thus far, I've always referenced the top of the material, and have had no issues.
This time however, the surface of the material I am using is too ruff for zeroing.
I get the error, softlimit warning on Z minimum, and I can not for the life of me figure out
where this error is actually generated. Everything seems within limits.

So whats happening behind the scene when you select the material thickness for reference
over the table top for reference?

Oh, I'm using VCarve pro for designing my projects. (and have it configured for table surface for this project)

Thanks!
Chris

9

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 stops and looses control

« on: November 09, 2010, 10:32:52 AM »

Hi guys, I'm kinda stumped here and need some help.
I have had my machine just over a month now, and still learning things(Its a home made unit)

I've made about a dozen things now, everything turned out as expected except for two items.
For whatever reason, the machine 'just stops' and I can not get the machine to restart.
The computer has not crashed, just that Mach3 stops executing the code. No error, and no reason.
Also if I try to jog the machine after its stopped, the DRO's change, but the machine still does not move loosing my references.
The only way to get control of the machine back, is to shut down Mach3 and restart it.
After doing that I run the code again(doing a ghost pass) and the entire code runs correctly.
I reset my axis and proceed to cut the new piece, and it cuts completely without error.

With no error code, and no known reason why it does this has me stumped. any thoughts?

My system:
P4C800E-Dlx with 2.4Ghz and 2gig mem.
Keling C10 breakout board and 425oz steppers
Windows 7 32bit, all (known) extras shut off (power save/screan saver ect...)
Mach3 for control and Vectric software to generate the GCode

Thanks for any input.
Chris

10

General Mach Discussion / Noob, needs help, motors turn one way.

« on: September 12, 2008, 08:33:28 PM »

Hey all, a new build here, I purchased this Keling setup.
I just got it running with the PC last night... Stupid Vista! Now running XP again... LOL anyways...

I only have the demo of Mach3(for now) but having a couple config issues with it. (maybe hardware?)

The problem is the direction the motors turn...
'X' turns one way only(clockwise)
'Y' turns one way only(counter-clockwise), only when Sherline 1/2 pulse mode is checked. Uncheck shirline, turns both ways just fine.
'Z' turns both directions properly at all times.

I have configured Mach3 exactly as the Keling Mach3 Doc

SIDE NOTE: after power has been on ~20 mins or so, Z stepper motor is  warmer then X or Y.

-----

I have all 3 steppers set to 1/8 step, and currently set to 2.1Amps.

As for voltages, I get the following.
-All Com pins constant at 5v

Pin #2 (x axis)
-Powered no movement, 5v
-direction command sent, drops to 3v

Pin #3 (x axis)
- 4.3v at all times - idle, either direction

Pin #4 (Y axis)
- Same as pin #2

Pin #5 (Y axis)
Stays at 0v until command given, then jumps to 2.2v during command, and return to 0v at release of command.

NOTE: The 'Y' axis runs correctly ONLY when the shirline 1/2 us UNCHECKED
- recheck shirline and 'Y' axis acts up again?
- So unchecking shirline 1/2, yeilds the results of pin #7

Pin #6
Same as pin #2

Pin #7
Down command gives a voltage of 0v
Up command gives a voltage of 5v
- voltage stays at last command given.

-----

With the the 'Y' axis working/not working with the shirline 1/2 checked or not has me a little confused as to if its software, or hardware.

Suggestions? Thanks!
Chris