Messages

1

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: XHC no aftersale!

« on: March 30, 2020, 01:11:56 PM »

Unfortunately I bought a MPG and ethernet motion controller from XHC but I eventually got rid of both!!!

buggy and totally without Aftersale service!!

I then bought VISTA CNC mpg and Smoothstepper!! for sure more expensive, but super performing!

2

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Mach4 or ESS, who is in charge of timing the DIR, STEP and ENA signals?

« on: March 29, 2020, 09:28:18 AM »

Not happy with the XHC controller I switched to ESS+BOB and installed everything (mach4 too).

I wanted to doublecheck the signals exiting the ESS and here we go, signals timed as they have to!!

Blue is DIR.....

3

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Breakout board choices with smooth stepper

« on: February 17, 2020, 07:40:17 AM »

No doubt the MB3 from CNCRoom or the Technics equivalent will be fine but they are approx. $180 or 200 Euro respectively.
Neither were available at the time I was building my machine but doubt I would have spent the extra even if they had been.

Craig

At the end we didn't go on with the development of a customized BOB, I would have liked that very much, but...... too much time needed for doing it...
We decided for the 3.4 BOB version from Technics and I already received 2 kits (BOBs + SST);
during this week I install it as well as the MACH4 hobby...

4

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Mach4 or ESS, who is in charge of timing the DIR, STEP and ENA signals?

« on: February 11, 2020, 06:59:27 AM »

Yes, the one you showed is the easiest situation, the most common wave forms, but not the only existing ones

take a look a the following pages, it is not rare to have different channel configurations, indeed they are quite common in Servo sistems...

In my case, the problem is not vawe forms, but the timing between them, which is always said to be avoided...
I guess it is the chinese XHC controller software to manage that...
Form the ESS (which I'm waiting for to come) I expect to see the wave form you showed....

5

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Mach4 or ESS, who is in charge of timing the DIR, STEP and ENA signals?

« on: February 11, 2020, 02:16:07 AM »

What kind of scope picture is that?

unfortunately it's not a photo taken by purpose, it was taken "accidentally" by my girlfriend while I was connecting and trimmering the oscilloscope... but that is the only image I have.... for showing that the 2 signals are exactly same timed....

Which color is Step and which is Dir?
Dir should not change with Step unless you change direction of motor rotation.

No, the DIR signal is moving.....
but to be precise, it moves on the positive voltage field (between 1 and 4.5V) when moving to one direction, and it moves in the negative voltage fielld (between -1 and -4.5V) when axis moves in other direction.....

When The picture was taken, the DIR signal (BLUE) was not well trimmered yet.....

6

SmoothStepper USB / Mach4 or ESS, who is in charge of timing the DIR, STEP and ENA signals?

« on: February 10, 2020, 02:35:44 PM »

WHile waiting for the ESS +BOB to come, I had the chance to check the DIR-STEP-ENA signals coming out from the XHC controller (that I'm about to get rid of) and going into my X-Y servos and Z step motor driver;
To my surprise, I discovered that contrary to what recommended by all servo and step motor drivers, all the signals have the same 0 time, which means that the start at exactly the same time....

DIR signal should instead be given a few microseconds (tipically 5 o 6) before the STEP signal;
In case ENABLE signal is used,  it should be given few microsendos before the DIR signal....

I guess that if the signals have the same start time, at least the first step may be missed by servo/driver...

So the quetion is: who is in charge of timing the signals? Mach? or the controller board?

 

7

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Breakout board choices with smooth stepper

« on: February 03, 2020, 02:29:12 PM »

Hi,
having just one MB02 (or C10 equivalent) results in 12 outputs and 5 inputs.

If you have one input for an Estop, one for a probe that leaves just three for up to nine limit and home switches if you chose not
to combine them. I'd seriously recommend a second MB02 (or C10) set up as inputs and that would result in another 4 outputs but
a extra 13 inputs. These extra inputs allow you to have separate homes and limits that have distinct advantages.
I've used two MB02's for six years WITHOUT opt-isolation. It must be said that I did something silly with one input
on my primary BoB and have manged to damage that one input, and I haven't bothered to replace the SMD IC responsible,
but overall I don't miss opto-isolation. I was concerned that my probe might be vulnerable so I isolated that one input,
all the rest I had no need so didn't bother, no problem. Relays and 0-10V outputs are no big deal, a handful of components at best.

I now use 14 inputs (all limits and homes are managed separately) and 4 axis + 7 more outputs, so I'd need 2 boards....

No doubt the MB3 from CNCRoom or the Technics equivalent will be fine but they are approx. $180 or 200 Euro respectively.
Neither were available at the time I was building my machine but doubt I would have spent the extra even if they had been.

today a carpenter (a company supplier) asked me to buy motors, drivers and a controller for CNC he has intention to build after having seen mine... so I'm taking into consideration the development of a BOB (for both of us) to be paired to a smooth stepper...
If I make it I won't miss to post some data and photos... 

8

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: XHC Pendant WHB04B-4

« on: February 03, 2020, 08:41:55 AM »

It sounds like you have confidence that the servos are doing as they should, an I tend to agree for the following reason, IF the servos were losing
steps then they would fault 'following error' long before they got 7mm out from the commanded position; UNLESS you have programmed a ridiculous
'following error window', and surely you have not done that??

good question, I need to check, because I left this parameter at the default level.
the strange thing is, why should this "missing steps" happen when moving back (Y-) and not moving forward (Y+)....


I will doublecheck settings in Mach3, in Mach3 plugins and the servos, then if I don't find the clear source of the problem I just change the controller... so I get rid of all XHC stuff on my machine...

Adrian

9

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Breakout board choices with smooth stepper

« on: February 03, 2020, 08:37:50 AM »

looking at CNCroom, I thought they were of the same producer... 

one port could be enough for now, I dont' need that many inputs, but I don't like the missing optoisolation..
Also, my intention is to drive the spindle with 0-10V output, so I should make a DAC by self

For sure with a MB03 (or Technics equivalent) I should be fine for very long time!

Thanks,
Adriano

10

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Breakout board choices with smooth stepper

« on: February 03, 2020, 05:40:11 AM »

Hi Craig,

I wrote you for asking for some advices also here https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=42253.10

The 2 options are both good, as I'm in electronics as well (even thou I'm not an Engineer but a Sales manager with great passion for electronics and mechanics);
the bad thing is that I don't have time for producing a board by my self, so It is better if I go for the second solution...
Staying in Europe, I found 2 german BOBs (CNC Technics Breakoutboard 3.4 or 4.1) which are very similar to MB02 and MB03 by CNCroom, and also the price is comparable.
There are many more I/O than what I need, so not problem if they are not customized...
https://shop.cnc-technics.de/product_info.php?info=p63_breakoutboard-4-1-for-ess-smoothstepper.html
I would be very grateful if you could read my post on the other topic and reply, I hope I don't ask you too much......

bye
Adrian