Messages

3591

General Mach Discussion / Re: TB 6560 BOB LIMIT SWICH CONNECTIONS

« on: September 24, 2013, 01:40:17 AM »

Graham,

Perhaps the MOBO header cables - something like this will do the job ?  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/StarTech-18-Internal-5-Pin-USB-IDC-Motherboard-Header-Cable-M-F-USBINT5PINMF-/350801109816?pt=UK_Computing_USB_Cables&hash=item51ad602338

Tweakie.

3592

General Mach Discussion / Re: TB 6560 BOB LIMIT SWICH CONNECTIONS

« on: September 23, 2013, 08:44:56 AM »

Hi Graham,

Can you post a link to, or information on, the TB6560 board you have (there seems to be many different types).

Tweakie.

3593

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: September 22, 2013, 02:41:44 AM »

An example of testing and early failures…

I built a small test rig which gives off similar RF emissions to an operating laser tube so I could test run the unit without using the laser. After a couple of hours the clock stopped. Cutting the clock apart revealed a long plastic shaving caught up in the gear train and although the mechanism was beautifully constructed the Chinese manufacturers of this device seem to have absolutely no idea of quality control. Cleaning, removing the debris then gluing it all back together seemed to have resolved the issue and the 24 hour test then continued without fault.
Prototype #1 is now off on it’s travels for further testing with professionally manufactured laser machines whilst prototype #2 is now running 24 / 7 until destruction.

Tweakie.

3594

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Help and advising on breakout board / motion controller for my machine

« on: September 19, 2013, 01:39:25 AM »

Good news Brian, I am pleased that you are on your way to making chips. 

Tweakie.

3595

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: September 18, 2013, 08:17:14 AM »

Would it not be easier to use a small engine hour meter?

Maybe Jeff.

Can you add data storage system that monitors & collects beam; on time, emission power and temperatures at tube, coolant and ambient. And then display it in a spread sheet that can be used to predict life cycle?

It's all possible Craig and I am sure it would not be too difficult to do if there was a requirement. Perhaps another project is on the horizon. 

Tweakie.

3596

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: September 18, 2013, 06:41:19 AM »

Following a request, on another forum, I have developed another little device.

This unit records actual laser tube emission time, as opposed to machine run time, and is intended to provide an indication of tube lifetime. It uses RF technology to detect the laser tube emissions so requires no electrical connection to the host machine and will be suitable for use with all makes and models of commercial laser machines which use a dc excited glass laser tube.

Laser tubes have a finite lifetime which can perhaps be likened to draining a tank-full of water – just how long it lasts depends on how wide the tap is opened, however, this unit should be useful in providing averages.

The initial ‘rats-nest’ model has clocked up some 15 hours now and I am looking forward to some serious testing of this, the first prototype.

Tweakie.

3597

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel cable question?

« on: September 17, 2013, 08:25:09 AM »

can anyone tell me the pinouts for the cable...the one I have is wired one to one, two to two, etc. is this right?

Gerry,

You are correct it is 1-1, 2-2 etc but check them all, just in case some are crossed or missing. 

Tweakie.

3598

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Help and advising on breakout board / motion controller for my machine

« on: September 17, 2013, 02:46:39 AM »

Hi Brian,

As the details on this breakout board are pretty poor (with errors) my best suggestion…

Check that your parallel cable is indeed wired Pin1 to Pin 1, Pin2 to Pin2 etc.
Check that your USB cable is providing the necessary 5 volts to the breakout board.

In Mach3 configuration (change just one thing at a time and observe the results)…
Try changing the Active Hi / Low state of the Enable signal  LPT Pin 1 (you really only need one enable signal but as you may have them all enabled then the active state of them all needs to be identical).
Try changing the Active state of the other axes (just the step pins).

That’s all I can think of trying just at the moment.

Tweakie.

3599

General Mach Discussion / Re: Limit switch triggered. Which axis???

« on: September 16, 2013, 02:12:28 AM »

Hi Riphet,

My view is that if it is not obvious which axis has triggered the limit switch then it could just be a false trigger. This can occur if the WatchDogs are enabled (Config / Gen Config) or if electrical noise is an issue - also mechanical vibration can activate some switches

Could you provide more details of when the limit switch triggered event occurs ?

Tweakie.

3600

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Help and advising on breakout board / motion controller for my machine

« on: September 16, 2013, 02:03:59 AM »

Hi Exhausted,

Welcome to the forum.

Perhaps if you give us some details of the actual breakout board / stepper driver you are using we may be able to help you to get it sorted.

Tweakie.