Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Best method to test for servo faults

« on: September 10, 2016, 08:30:24 AM »

Hi all
Last year I did a complete rebuild of my control box for my wood router. I was wondering what`s the best way to
test for servo faults. My new system has a 70 volt power supply that runs with Geckos and 600 oz-in servo motors.
The machine seems more reliable and is faster. But I`d like to test it to see what the maximum ipm would be.
Not certain what the best type of g-code would be to check the machine.

Barry

2

General Mach Discussion / How to take apart this 4th axis?

« on: April 01, 2015, 05:58:18 PM »

Hi
I have a problem and need someone more mechanically inclined then myself. This 4th axis has
a motor which I believe will be under powered. In addition my current power supply is too
high a voltage to run the motor. I plan to use a 1200 oz|in stepper I have instead.
My problem is I can`t seem to determine how this 4th axis can be disassembled. I looked at the
chuck but cannot see how to take it apart. Right behind the chuck is what looks to be the front of
the harmonic drive. It has four screws. Can`t loosen the screws because the chuck is in the way.
Tried taking the screws off the back of the stepper but they don`t go all the way through to the
aluminum casing. I was apprehensive to completely remove the stepper screws because I remembered
that a stepper loses its functionality if its dissembled. Hoping for some ideas.

3

General Mach Discussion / Stepper Motor Maximum Voltage

« on: March 30, 2015, 10:26:45 AM »

Just got a Chinese 4th axis need help to determine the maximum  voltage for this motor.
My cnc has a 72 VDC Power supply I`m hoping I can use it with this small stepper

5.Step-motors: 42 * 48 2-phase 4 wires 1.6A
gear box output shaft diameter: 15mm
speed reducing ratio：50:1 （0.036 degree/step） or 100:1 (0.018 degree/step)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261448262900?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

4

General Mach Discussion / How to swap the x and y axes

« on: January 27, 2015, 03:47:02 PM »

Hi
I`d like to swap my x and y axes in mach 3. Do I just switch the motor specs in the motor
tuning section of Mach 3. In addition do I need to switch the connectors to the motors
and switch the step and direction from the Gecko 320s to the BOB.

Thanks

5

General Mach Discussion / Limits work but not when homing.

« on: January 12, 2015, 11:24:15 AM »

Hi

When I test my limits all of them work. It seems so far my z limit will work as a home switch
When the next home move is made for the Y axis it does not trigger. This was all working at one time. I don`t believe
when I added the smooth stepper I ever homed the machine. Am wondering if homing has to besetup in
the config file for the SS.


Thanks

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Mach 4 install problems with smoothstepper

« on: January 10, 2015, 09:37:04 AM »

Hi
I copied the two smoothstepper files to the Plugin directory. When I enter the IP address Mach4
locks up. In Mach3 when I was setting up the SS it had some popup dialog boxes shown on the
screen. I don`t see any with my setup. Reading the SS install manual it leads me to believe there
are on screen setups. If so something is wrong.

Thanks

7

Mach4 General Discussion / What type of performance improvements could expected by using Mach 4

« on: January 08, 2015, 02:50:12 PM »

Hi

I have a DC servo cnc and am wondering what type of performance improvements could
be made by upgrading to Mach4. In my work which involves carving a violin top there are
many 3d moves. With Mach3 I get the feeling something is not allowing me to get decent
feed rates. Of course I could be wrong and its possible I have issues with my machine. Just wondering
what the experts think having tested the new and improved Mach4
 

8

General Mach Discussion / Gecko 320x and encoder problem

« on: January 05, 2015, 04:20:10 PM »

Hi

I got my x and z Gecko 320s working no problem. For the panel rebuild I purchased a new G320x for the Y axis.
I used the same wiring as the 320s but it seems the motor ran away. Not a big deal since I made
certain the timing belt wasn't attached. I have the US Digital E2 with differential encoder cables. So at this
point the Gecko isn't recognizing the encoder I assume. I`m using all the default settings at the moment.
I tried using the HED dip switch setting but still the motor just ran at full speed. Gecko has a known problem
with the US digital encoders. But various people have mentioned if you have line drivers the encoders should
work. Is there any difference in the wiring from a 320 to 320x. Checked out both manuals to my eye they look
the same.

9

General Mach Discussion / Limit switch reset problem

« on: January 03, 2015, 08:20:30 PM »

Hi
I am rewiring my cnc and have a problem with the limits. I grouped all the limits for the + and – limit direction for
the z and y together. Another set of limits are grouped for the + and – limit directions for the X.
The limits are snap action limits and they are set for active low. When I press the reset it shows that
M1 + and M1- are yellow
M3+ M3- and M3 Home are yellow
It seems when I try to set them for active high the software LED change from yellow to gray. Then I can
reset. But when I open Mach3 for a new session I get the same problem telling me a limit was hit. It seems
I had to fool around with this even before I rewired my control box. In the old control panel each limit
switch was wired separately to the BOB. This new wiring is sharing the BOB inputs for multiple axes.
I`m lost!!

10

General Mach Discussion / Shielded wire for step and direction

« on: November 08, 2014, 09:18:23 AM »

Hi
I`m doing over my control panel. I have to run wires from my BOB to my G320 Geckos.
Is there a need to use shielded wire.