Topics

1

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach4: How to map MPG-X inputs, to Motor-X Step and Direction output?

« on: August 20, 2020, 10:48:26 AM »

Software: Mach4 Trial (www.machsupport.com)
Motion Controller: Smooth Stepper ESS (warp9td.com)
Breakout Board: MB3 (www.cncroom.com)
Pulse Generator: Sumtak 100ppr
   
Situation: I have a Sumtak 100ppr standard pulse generator (see attached) connected to the MB3 breakout board on inputs X310 and X311 in accordance to the MB3 manual (see attached diagram).  The BOB's optical encoders for X310 (Input Port-3 Pin-10) and X311 (Input Port-3 Pin-11) are high speed and designed for connecting to an MPG.  When I rotate the MPG, I see the diagnostic LED's on X310 (encoder terminal A) and X311 (encoder terminal B) changing state so I deduce that the BOB is receiving the encoder input ok and passing the signals to the Motion controller and then on to Mach4.

Question-1: In Mach4, is there a way to monitor input X310 and X311 to verify that Mach4 is able to observe the pin state changes? 
 
Question-2: In Mach4, how do I map MPG-X input to Motor-X step and direction output?

Question-3: Is there a section in the Mach4 manual that describes mapping encoder inputs?
 
Breakout Board Manual
MPG setup is described on Page-18 Figure-16.
http://www.cncroom.com/downloads/MB3%20Owner%20Manual%20E13R2.pdf

Thanks!

2

General Mach Discussion / How to setup a Drag Knife in Mach3

« on: July 07, 2015, 09:41:52 AM »

Is there MACH3 technique to compensate for the knife offset so that the drag knife cuts sharp corners?

I purchased a drag knife for use with my setup.  The drag knife cuts nice but I can't get sharp angle changes because the knife cuts across all the corners.  Ideally the knife would continue past a corner just a bit then the tool would be moved in an arc around the pivot point before starting the next leg of the path. 
 
Drag Knife User Manual
   
Programming Tips From User Manual: "Create your CAD/CAM file (G-Code) using the same software and methods used to create standard 2-D cut files. To prevent incomplete cuts and ensure sharp, angular, cuts and corners, avoid using radius value less than 0.05 inch. By programming line overruns and ensuring start points are located on straight-line segments, the knife edge will point in the correct direction at the begging of each cut and manual material trimming will be reduced."
 
..."If using CAM software, use “Lead in, Lead out”, “Additional approach,” “Along Curve” or similar functionality."
 

3

General Mach Discussion / Need help with pulse per inch math

« on: August 15, 2013, 11:11:40 AM »

I have scratch built my own desktop sized CNC.  I have Mach3 working with my three stepper motors and limit switches so now I am attempting to dial in all the MACH3 configuration settings.  Calculating the actual pulses per inch should be simple.  This is what I have:

• Ball Screw, 5/8" Screw Diameter => 13/64" Travel/Turn (http://www.mcmaster.com/#5966k26/=o2q45e)
• WantMotor Stepper Motor Driver DQ542MA => 40 pulse per step?? (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=257&pid=82)
• WantMotor 57BYGH420 Motor => 200 step/ revolution (http://www.wantmotor.com/ProductsView.asp?id=160&pid=80)

My problem seems to be knowing what to put into the equasion for the Stepper Motor Driver DQ542MA.  The driver documentation shows that with the DIP switches set the way I have them [on-on-off-off] I should expect 8000 pulses per revolution.  I presume that the 8000 pulses per revolution is assuming that I am using their 1.8 degree/pulse motors, which I am.  That would indicate that the driver is giving me 40 microsteps per step (I think!).

Can someone check my math (see attached equation)?  

Thanks!

4

SmoothStepper USB / First Time Setup-Mach3-SmoothStepper Wierdness

« on: May 26, 2012, 12:31:26 PM »

I have wired up my controls for the first time but I'm having all kinds of strange issues.  I mean really strange.

• Wiring Diagram
  
• MACH3 Motor Output Configuration Screen
  
• MACH3 Motor Tuning Configuration Screen
  
• All other photos, diagrams, and screen captures
  

Symptoms:
1) X+ JOG results in Y motor CW rotation
2) X- JOG results in Y motor CW rotation
3) Y JOG results in no movement on any motor
4) Z JOG results in no movement on any motor

Troubleshooting so far:
1) Tripple checked all wire connectors for miswire.
2) Verified no floating grounds or bad connecitons.
3) Tripple checked MACH3 Motor output configuration.
3) DIR+ for X and Z is at approx 2.5v and does not change with any JOG command.

Since the breakoutboard is not sending the correct outputs to the correct pins, the problem has to be somewhere between Mach3 and the breakoutboard.  It has to be something fundamental I am not understanding.

   Please help me!

5

FAQs / Mach3 Super Easy Questions from Newbie

« on: February 20, 2012, 02:51:14 PM »

I am a complete and total newbie to both CNC world and Mach3, so I have some basic questions.  Please be easy on me.

I have been working on building a desktop size 3-axis CNC machine of my own design from scratch: http://wbaldwincnc.wordpress.com/  


Queston 1 Is this correct?:

[Mach3 (Win7-64bit)]     <–USB/Ethernet–>     [External Motion Controller]     <–DB25–>   [Stepper Driver]

[Mach3 (Win7-64bit)] I assume creates the G-Code

[External Motion Controller] I assume this interprets the G-Code and sends step/direction pulses to the [Stepper Driver].  

[Stepper Driver] Sends the current to the motor windings

Queston 2 What external motion controller should I be using?:

Queston 3 Is this a good driver/motor setup?: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4Axis-Nema-23-Stepper-Motor-425oz-in-CNC-Mill-Control-/130642017388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6adefc6c


Thanks!

-   Willl