I've read many posts here on these forums and it's been quite helpful. I'm making this post to list out my ABC's for getting things up and working with Mach3, hopefully this helps anyone else out there having challenges with their new YOOCNC machine setup.
AFirst and formost, ensure you have your LPT port setup correctly.
After opening Mach3, under the menu item Config/Ports and Pins ensure the checkbox "Port Enabled" under Port #1 is checked
And ensure it is set to a default port address 0x378 (If address is different, ensure that address is entered here)
BEnsure your Kernel Speed is set correctly
Before this step, it is best to perform step C first, then a reboot of your machine so your environment can report accurate results to Mach3.
In the C:\Mach3 directory, run DriverTest.exe
Watch the display here, it will display a number that you will want to use.
Under the menu item Config/Ports Kernel Speed, ensure you select a Kernel Speed that is less than or equal to what DriverTest reported.
CDisable all startup programs and services you do not need to run, this is very important because this can have negative effects on Mach3.
Click on Start/Run then type in msconfig hit enter.
This Microsoft utility will allow you to configure what starts when you boot your machine.
The Startup tab lists all processes that will be started when your machine starts, disable the ones you do not need. I disabled most of mine, but be cautious here, your computer or hardware may need something here in order to run. So go through your documentation and ensure you do not need a specific process before disabling anything here. Unchecking an item here will prevent it from starting up.
The services tab is also an area where you must be sure you do not need if you uncheck it, look at documentation or google your machine model and make sure you do not need anything you are disabling, I disabled most all my services and most all of my Startup processes.
After you make a change, do a re-boot.
DNow your machine should be clean
You must ensure your port and pin assignments are correct
Menu Item Config/Ports and Pins under the Motor Outputs Tab ensure your pin settings are as follows:
| Signal | Enabled | Step Pin | Dir Pin | Dir LowActive | Step Low Active | Step Port | Dir Port |
X Axis | Checked | 2 | 3 | UnChecked | Checked | 1 | 1 |
Y Axis | Checked | 4 | 5 | UnChecked | Checked | 1 | 1 |
Z Axis | Checked | 6 | 7 | UnChecked | Checked | 1 | 1 |
After making any changes here, it is best to close Mach3 and re-open it.
EAt this point, you should be able to manually navigate your machine when Mach3 is running, try to hit the left/right arrow keys on your keyboard.
If it doesn't move as expected, but you hear a noise, that means Mach3 Jog mode is currently set to Step
Hit the TAB key on your keyboard, and click the Jog Mode button and make sure the yellow light under Cont (Continuous), then click TAB again
Now hit your arrow keys on your keyboard, Left arrow key should move your gantry to the left on your machine (X Axis),
Right should move right (X Axis)
The Up/Down arrow keys will move along the (Y Axis)
The Page-Up/Page-Down keys will move the Spindle up and down
Note, pay close attention to the direction of movement, if you notice Z Axis is moving down when hitting page up, you must reverse this.
FNow, lets tune up the motors and timing of your system.
Menu item Config/Motor Tuning
Here you will see a graph showing the Acceleration and Velocity of your motors and Steps, this is important because the screws on your machine are of a specific measurement and if these settings are not correct, you could find your machine locking up or "walking" out of your milling jobs.
For the YOOCNC 6040Z here are my settings:
X AxisSteps Per: 320
Velocity: 2499.8
Acceleration: 300
Step Pulse: 3
Dir Pulse: 2
Y AxisSteps Per: 320
Velocity: 2499.8
Acceleration: 300
Step Pulse: 3
Dir Pulse: 2
Z AxisSteps Per: 320
Velocity: 799.8
Acceleration: 200
Step Pulse: 3
Dir Pulse:2
GTime to Roll - Prepare the table
Now you are ulmost ready to use your machine for your first job. You should make a backing board for your machine. My first time, I just used a
3/4 inch MDF scrap that I cut out to fit the cutting area of my table. Use a backing board so you do not cut all the way through into the table.
Once you have your board attached, it would be good to make a pocket job about 1/8 inch deep. Once you've done this, the board is now true to the Z Axis.
I hope all of this helps, because my trial and error has taken over three weeks before I finally got every working perfectly.
If anyone needs any insights, ideas or simply want to follow what I'm up to, I have a youtube page that I will use to share my CNC Journey.
Join here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/INetCoder
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