Topics

1

Mach3 under Vista / Serial Outputs Working, Inputs Not

« on: December 27, 2014, 04:22:15 PM »

I just built a new computer Windows7-32bit and installed Mach3.  My machine is running using a db25 parallel port and is outputting and controlling the machine fine.  However, I have no inputs.  My E-stop is on pin 12 and it worked fine on the older XP computer that died.  Now I can't for the life of me figure out why it's not working.  I had to change how it was setup just to clear the estop.

I had seen that I might need to change my bios for the serial port to ECP+EPP from bidirectional.  However, this isn't an option in my bios (see attached picture).

Any suggestions are welcome.  I'm wondering if I don't need to add a Smooth Stepper to the system and not use the serial output?  Thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Hylan

2

Mach3 under Vista / Input not working on Parallel Port

« on: December 21, 2014, 02:20:34 AM »

I'm almost done building my new cnc and was just starting to dial it in and get used to the new machine and software.  Then my refurbed Win7 32 bit computer died a horrible death.

I built a new computer also Win7 32 bit.  Only real difference is that the parallel port is a pci add on board and not a native component built into the motherboard.

I was able to save a machine config file off the old computer and have everything reinstalled now and the machine is running, BUT!  I have no input on my parallel port. 

Currently, I only have the estop set up so it's my only input signal.  It worked on my old computer but not now.  The odd thing is that I have it on pin 12 and the auto setup doesn't see it.  However, I had to go in and change it and check active low or it would let me reset the estop.

So it won't react to the estop being pressed, but I had to flip its state to get it to work.

I'm hoping this is something silly I'm missing here.  I'm nervous running the machine without the physical estop working.

Thanks,
Hylan

3

General Mach Discussion / ESS vs Automation Technology BOB, stepper controller

« on: December 01, 2014, 03:20:09 PM »

I finished building my 2nd CNC machine but my first using Mach3.  It's running well except that it occasionally misses a step and then my feelings get hurt (if I'm not quick enough on the E-Stop).

I'm currently going straight from parallel port to gecko drives to motors.  

If I slow things down, it works okay and I can optimize the computer (it's dedicated to the CNC) but I don't fully like either of these solutions.  So I'm looking for a stepper controller to offload the motor controlling.

After reading a bunch of posts, I've generally narrowed it down to:
ESS- Ethernet Smooth Stepper http://www.cncrouterparts.com/ethernet-smoothstepper-p-229.html
or
XHC-MK4 from Automation Technologies http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/breakout-boards/cnc-mach3-usb-card-xhc-mk6-4-axis-motion-control-card-usb2-0-interface-wshell

They're basically the same price and appear similar in features.  I've seen a few posts on each individually but no single thread with opinions weighed in on the two.  So I thought I'd get opinions from those that have been there before.

Thanks,
Hylan

4

General Mach Discussion / Need some advice on new CNC

« on: June 19, 2014, 04:37:12 PM »

Greetings, I've got a couple questions about Mach3 for my new CNC.  I build a CNC in 2007 and it works pretty well but I'm almost done building a new one.  On the old CNC I was using KCam and it worked okay but I could never get the machine up and running really quick, mainly on the Z axis.  Now my new machine appears to have the same malady with the Z axis.
So, I'm looking to switch everything to Mach3 and I want to understand what I'm getting into.
So my new machine is running nema 34 motors.  I'm running dual 960 oz/in motors on the X axis with 444 steps/in with rack and pinion gears.  Y axis is a single 960 with same rack and pinion setup.  Z axis is a 640 oz/in motor driving a 10 TPI Acme thread with 20000 steps/in.
I've got a new (refurbished) Win7 pro desktop computer with a 2.7 dual core Pentium processor & 4 gig ram.  Currently I'm feeding the signal to a Max32 (Kcam stepper controller) that is feeding 4 G203V Gecko Drives (one for each motor, X axis motors spinning in opposite to each other).
So I've got 2 questions.
First, can Mach3 put out enough steps to get me 20"/min on the Z axis?  Basically I'd like to move 1" in about 3 seconds.
Second, I figure if I make the switch, I'll have to pull the Max32 board and go with something else so I'd like some suggestions.  I was looking at this board on Amazon which says it'll work with Mach3. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CY42VM0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=VO2MNMCY8AQ9&coliid=I3LBQ7XFX3TY3B

Any help is appreciated.
Thank you,
Hylan