Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC4PC??

« on: May 08, 2011, 10:38:21 PM »

I purchased Mach3 from Arturo and had a problem with the file I downloaded (not CNC4PC's problem) I sent and e-mail to Artsoft and they sent me the fix.  I have had other dealings with CNC4PC and all I can say is that everything I have done with them has had a good outcome.  I believe they are an honest upright company.  When i was getting started I used their BOB and Arturo exchanged a dozen e-mails with me helping me figure out what I was doing incorrectly.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 is not talking to Breakout board

« on: April 16, 2011, 11:21:10 AM »

I did as you gentlemen suggested.  I was able to change the port to ECP.  I restarted the computer and the device manager show that it is ECP.
I did run the Mach test program and it ran for about 5 minutes and then a little window appeared that said "mach test complete".  I assume if there was an error it would have shown an error.
When I am in the device manager the little check box for "legacy plug and play" is checked and the "never use an interupt" is also checked. I changed the legacy plug and play and changed the interupt to "use interrupt assigned by setup".  I hope this isn't an error.  Nothing changed.  The Dir pins voltage do not change when I move the press the arrow keys and I plugged it into the BOB and all the lights for step and Dir are still lit.

Any more ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Robert

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 is not talking to Breakout board

« on: April 14, 2011, 08:56:19 PM »

Additional items I checked
The port 1 in device manager is 0378; in mach it is Ox0378 so I think I have the correct address
I do not know what you mean by configure it for ECP. My port does not have the ECP so I assume it does not have that configuration.
When I am in the device manager the little check box for "legacy plug and play" is checked and the "never use an interupt" is also checked.
For an intelligent person I am really out of my element with computers.  Sorry for what is probably a simple solution for you.

When I was testing the pin voltages I was testing throught the parallel cable. Does 5.1 volts dc cause any problem versus 5.0?

Thanks,

Robert

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 is not talking to Breakout board

« on: April 14, 2011, 08:45:29 PM »

Thanks for all the suggestions.
   I bought a new parallel port that out puts 5vdc. 

Additional info that may be important, the computer is a brand new 32 bit computer, running XP.

My pins in Mach3 are set as follows:
    x axis  step 1; dir 2
    y axis  step 3; dir 4
    z axis  step 5; dir 6
    a axis  step 7; dir 8
When I test between any pin 1 to 8 and pin 18 I get pin 5.1 volts. Pressing any direction key does not change the output.

I am beginning to believe my Mach3 settings somewhere must have a conflict??

Please advise -

Thanks in advance

Robert

5

General Mach Discussion / Mach3 is not talking to Breakout board

« on: April 03, 2011, 09:17:17 PM »

Hi,
My name is Robert, I live in SE Texas.  I built a large CNC for a home shop. I have Mach3 and a C11G break out board. When Mach3 is running the screen appears to be running correctly.  Each arrow key makes the screen numbers increase / decrease as expected. The BOB however has no reaction.  The power light is lit. The output light is on.  The direction keys for both directions on the output pins are lit. Meaning all the output lights are on. When I turn the power on the motors jog.

Here is what I have done so far.
     The charge pump jumper is disabled on the BOB and in Mach3.
     The address for the port is correct.
     The inputs (limits, e-stop etc) are all disconnected from the BOB and disabled in Mach3.
     The enable jumper on the BOB is connected / jumped.
     Arturo at CNC4PC replaced the board.
     I bought a new PCI parallel port
     I have tried 4 different 25 pin cables (pass through).

I would really like to get this running.  Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can get the computer talking to the BOB?

Here are a few questions I have -
     How do I test the parallel port to see if the pin assignment in Mach3 is actually happening on the  pins of the parallel card.
     If I am expecting to see a voltage on pin5 how do I know if it is CW or CCW. What is the expected voltage?  I am sure this discussion has taken place many times. Point me into the direction of the answer.

I own a Fluke 8060A Digital multi-meter.  It is expensive but is notorius for not reading quick signals. If the parallel port only outputs for 0.1 seconds I may not be able to read it. Do you know the duration of the expected voltage.

Thanks,

Robert

6

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: April 03, 2011, 07:27:44 AM »

Hi,
My name is Robert, I live in SE Texas.  I built a large CNC for a home shop. I have Mach3 and a C11G break out board. When Mach3 is running the screen appears to be running correctly.  Each arrow key makes the screen numbers increase / decrease as expected. The BOB however has no reaction.  The power light is lit. The output light is on.  The direction keys for both directions on the output pins are lit. Meaning all the output lights are on. When I turn the power on the motors jog.

Here is what I have done so far.
     The charge pump jumper is disabled on the BOB and in Mach3.
     The address for the port is correct.
     The inputs (limits, e-stop etc) are all disconnected from the BOB and disabled in Mach3.
     The enable jumper on the BOB is connected.
     Arturo at CNC4PC replaced the board.
     I bought a new PCI parallel port
     I have tried 4 different 25 pin cables.

I would really like to get this running.  Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can get the computer talking to the BOB?

Thanks

Robert

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP! - breakout board diagnosis help needed

« on: March 19, 2011, 06:22:54 PM »

Just a thought.  Pin 17 is associated with the charge pump on my board.  In the middle of the BOB is a jumper on the charge pump portion.  Make sure the jumper is between jumper 1-2 for disable.  It is a physical tiny jumper you will need to move.