Messages

8011

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need Help on a Major Conversion

« on: April 17, 2010, 09:15:02 AM »

Hi Bill,

The pinouts for the 25 way and 37 way connectors are more or less identified in the WinCNC manuals which you can download from here http://www.wincnc.net/webfiles/CNC%20Windows/Manuals/

Once you have identified the step and direction pins it should not be too difficult to connect a breakout board for the LPT parallel cable to the appropriate places to be able to use Mach with the existing controllers.

You could, of course strip out all the existing electronics and fit Gecko's etc but I don't think this would really be necessary, also sounds like a lot of extra work.

Tweakie.

8012

Tangent Corner / Re: LED Electronics guys out there?

« on: April 17, 2010, 01:47:40 AM »

Way to go Dave - Excellent prototyping solution, values calculated etc.

In my opinion, there are two different approaches to routing PCB's. The easiest way (without having to learn software) is create your circuit design using any drawing program such as Microsoft Powerpoint etc and then outline the result to a vector using something like Acme Trace Art. Trace Art allows the output to be saved as HPGL which can then easily be converted to GCode. The other approach is to use one of the free programs such a Eagle to draw your circuit and produce the output but the initial learning curve for this is quite steep.

You could, of course get a square breadboard, cut a hole in the centre and mount that on your mill    But seriously PCB's make the job look so much more professional and I think it is worth the learning experience.

Good luck,

Tweakie.

8013

VB and the development of wizards / Re: IsActive Function

« on: April 16, 2010, 01:13:23 PM »

Hi Dom,

I presume you have read this but just need more examples.

IsActive
Function IsActive(Signal As Integer) As Boolean
This function returns a Boolean True if the current state of the specified input signal is its active state
Note that in terms of actual signal level, the term “active” depends on how the signal is defined. If the
signal is defined in Config->Ports&Pins->InputSignals as ActiveLow, then IsActive() will return True
when that signal is being driven to a logic low. If the signal is defined in Config->Ports&Pins-
>InputSignals as ActiveHigh, then IsActive() will return True when that signal is being driven to a logic
high.
Arguments:
Signal is an integer value corresponding to one of pre-defined input signal constants.
Return Value:
False indicates the signal is currently in its inactive state
True indicates the signal is currently in its active state

Example:
‘ Show the user the state of the INPUT #1 input
If IsActive(INPUT1) Then
Message “INPUT #1 input is active”
Else
Message “INPUT #1 input is inactive”
End If

Tweakie.

8014

General Mach Discussion / Re: So what IS "driver watchdog triggered"???

« on: April 15, 2010, 12:42:29 PM »

Hi George,

I think you have discovered the reason why it is best to use two PC's. One for the design stuff and one dedicated to running the machine. There are no problems with installing two instances of Mach3, as only one computer is effectively using it to drive a machine there is no license violation.

Tweakie.

8015

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper works differently in different computers?

« on: April 15, 2010, 11:16:50 AM »

Hi Barry,

After much thought I have compiled a list of things for you to check. I have probably forgotten something important but that's life.

1)   All exposed metal parts forming part of a ‘mains operated machine’ must be connected to Earth. [this is more for your own personal safety than anything else].
2)   All input devices such as limit switches, estop etc.should be connected with screened cable.
3)   The screen of all screened cables must be connected to Earth and only at one end (preferably to one single Earthing point at the controller end).
4)   The VFD frequency control input cable should preferably be screened or at least a ‘twisted pair’.
5)   The VFD forward/reverse – on/off switching cables should preferably be screened or comprise of ‘twisted pairs’.
6)   The cable between the VFD and the spindle motor should ideally be screened and not routed, for any great distance, alongside wiring for inputs (limit switches, estop etc.). [ideally the screen should be connected at the VFD earth terminal only but if the spindle motor is metal bodied the cable should contain a fourth wire for the earth connection to the motor body but the motor itself must then only be fitted to the machine using an insulated mounting to avoid creating an Earth loop].
7)   There must be no Earth loops. [typical examples are where the machine frame is connected to Earth via the incoming supply and the VFD is also connected to Earth via the incoming supply and  then these two items are fitted in electrical contact with each other thus an Earth loop is formed. The same thing applies with the PC which is also earthed via the incoming supply, if its metal casing parts or its cable screens/shields (LPT / USB etc) come into electrical contact with the machine frame an Earth loop is again formed].
   Any forms of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) or Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) must be traced and eliminated by fitting screening, filters etc. [the EMI is relatively short range but the generation of RFI can be just as much of a problem for your systems as it is to your neighbors computer, TV and radio systems].
9)   You should not make any direct electrical connection between ‘the computers Ground wires (pins 18 – 25) or the LPT cable screen/shield’ and ‘Earth’. [the computer ‘Ground’ and ‘Earth’ are to be considered as two separate circuits].
10)   If anything here conflicts with any product manufacturer’s recommendations then their instructions take precedence. [they should be a lot smarter than I].


Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

8016

Tangent Corner / Re: Using a PC to control a DL06 PLC

« on: April 15, 2010, 04:15:17 AM »

Hi Fernando,

Going off at bit of a tangent to using a PC to control a PLC - Have you considered that Mach is more than capable of performing the operations that you require ?.

This was done just for a bit of fun http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/towers4.wmv and was of course pre-programmed but there is no reason why extra buttons, or a whole new screen could not be added to Mach with each button programmed (in a similar way to a tool change macro) to go to a specific location and pick up the part. Placing the part could either be by another macro or part of a GCode program etc.

Just a thought.

Tweakie.

8017

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper works differently in different computers?

« on: April 14, 2010, 01:42:29 PM »

OK Barry, back in communication tomorrow. This means I can go home now  . As long as you have the patience we will sort this !!.

Tweakie.

8018

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper works differently in different computers?

« on: April 14, 2010, 01:36:38 PM »

Not quite the same thing Barry, as the laptop uses an adapter.

If you have a multimeter, with your laptop switched off and disconnected from the mains, measure the continuity between the mains earth pin and the metal part on the outside of your USB connection or the metal part on the outside of your LPT port - Is it an open circuit ?.

Tweakie.

8019

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper works differently in different computers?

« on: April 14, 2010, 01:06:49 PM »

Hi Barry,

I have now looked at both my laptops and neither have a protective earth connection (they are both 'double insulated', as far as the regulations are concerned and do not have any connection to the incoming mains supply earth).
Assuming your laptop has no electrical connection between the mains earth pin and the USB or LPT port outer metal screens then this would explain the difference between the behavior of your PC and laptop.  One mystery solved I hope.

I will now go and look at my VFD setup and check how it is wired and report back with suggestions.

Tweakie.

8020

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper works differently in different computers?

« on: April 14, 2010, 12:16:18 PM »

Hi Barry,

Successful troubleshooting has to be carried out in a well organized and methodical manner, if possible recording the results for future reference - so you must excuse me for asking all the questions.

OK, you are switching your spindle on/off with a relay.

Is this relay switching AC mains voltage to the spindle ?.
Is this relay switching a low voltage DC to control a VFD ?.

Tweakie.