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Messages - jharvey407

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1
General Mach Discussion / Need help with Video Plugin
« on: December 07, 2011, 06:05:13 PM »
I have a machining camera connected to Mach3. I get video in the display window.

Everything seems to be working fine, but I can't seem to get the camera oriented so that the mouse positioin indicator moves the proper direction. When I move the mouse cursor in the X+ direction the mouse position reports that it has moved in the X- direction.

The 'Flip' option is no help. It flips the picture and causes it to be a mirror image.

I've searched this forum extensively but have not been able to find much informaiton. Is there a manual or any documentation for the video plugin?

2
General Mach Discussion / Squaring a gantry with a slaved stepper
« on: April 24, 2011, 08:54:53 AM »
I am in the process of upgrading my gantry router from a single stepper motor driving the gantry along the X axis, to two steppers slaved together.

The current router uses a single stepper to move the gantry along the X axis. I have an axle and chain drive system to drive the gantry from both ends using a single motor located in the middle of the gantry. To square the gantry I simply set up my reference jig and dial indicator and then loosen one of the set screws of the drive system and manually move one side of the gantry to square it up before re tightening the set screw.

The upgraded gantry will have a stepper at each end and a R&P drive system. How do I square the gantry with this drive system? Is there a function in Mach that I can use to bump one stepper of the slaved pair to adjust the gantry or do I need to do it at the drive system or by adjusting the rack back and forth?

Thanks
James

3
General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel Port Voltage
« on: October 01, 2010, 07:36:21 PM »
Arturo,

Yes, the problem is solved. You were right, it was not a parallel port problem but a wiring problem.

I used a wiring diagram out of a book. It turned out to be incorrect. Once I used the the proper wiring everything worked great.

Thanks to all for the help.

James

Jim,

Is this solved?

Arturo Duncan
http://cnc4pc.com


4
General Mach Discussion / Parallel Port Voltage Update
« on: September 19, 2010, 07:30:53 PM »
I grabbed an off the shelf PCI PP card and had the exact same issue. The motors will only turn in Sherline mode.

Arturo has been very helpful in trouble shooting this problem. He has given me some things to look at tomorrow, so I'll post an update tomorrow night.

I am also going to try to borrow an 0-scope so I can take a look at the waveform being generated by the PP.

I should actually buy an o-scope. I usually need one about once a year, but have always had someone Else's to use. Any thoughts on a good dual trace o-scope that doesn't cost a fortune?

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to document this troubleshooting as well as I can because I see a lot of posts in the forum where people have had to use the Sherline mode to get their machines to run properly.

James

5
General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel Port Voltage
« on: September 19, 2010, 07:51:51 AM »
Les,

I was measuring the voltage with no load so voltage drop shouldn't be an issue. It looks like Dan is probably right.

Dan,

I though this might be the case. I work with pulsed signals from time to time, but typically see a voltage reading about 1/2 of peak to peak, so the 0.10 vdc seemed very low. Unfortunately I don't have an o-scope so can't really take a proper look at the signal.

What exactly does Sherline Mode do? Does it override the Kernel Speed, or does it modify the only the pulse width and not the timing? Could this problem possibly be cured by increasing the Kernel Speed?

I am running in demo mode so I am limited to the 25,000 hz.

I plan on using this machine in a commercial application so I need it to be as accurate and reliable as possible.


Thanks for the help guys,

6
General Mach Discussion / Parallel Port Voltage
« on: September 18, 2010, 08:07:34 PM »
I have been reading a lot of the support forum, but have not been able to find a solution to my problem. The basic problem is low voltage from the parallel port.

Here are some specifics.

I built this PC specifically for Mach3. AMD Athalon 64, 2.0 Ghz, 1 GB ram.

The issue is that the voltage from the parallel port is low. When I measure the voltage during startup it reads 4.44 vdc. So I think it is fair to assume that it is a 5 vdc PP. Once I start Mach3 the voltage drops to 0.07 vdc, which I assume is the low state.

When I run Mach3 and jog the X axis I get 0.10 vdc from pin 2. This is not enough to trigger my C10 BOB.

When I check the 'Sherline Mode 1/2 Pulse Width' checkbox, the system works, but the measured voltage from the PP reads as 0.35 vdc, and the motors respond to jog commands. Why does the system respond in Sherline Mode, but not in normal mode? Does anyone have any ideas as to how to resolve this issue?

Thanks,
James

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