Messages

1

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Re: New Win7 install not connecting

« on: June 27, 2011, 12:54:28 AM »

<Ya-Nvr-No>
I think "Driver Dectective" analyzes the system, and gets the correct driver. It has a page showing all the specs of my computer. My install is 32 bit. The box had (2) CD's, 32 and 64 bit. I understand Mach3 only runs on 32 bit Windows. My version is Win7 Pro, which I chose to take advantage of the Virtual XP, in order to run an older BobCad, v.17. Also, I like the idea of backing up the HD, to a portable USB HD. Apparently, it makes an image of the HD. Very simple to plug it in, click backup, and walk away for 20 min.

The "Driver Detective" website has something called the "Cloud." It will look at all the drivers on your system (when everything is working OK of course), and create a CD with everything on it. Sounds pretty slick.
 

Took me a long time to get a three boot up system to work

 
The operative word is "Time!" 

However, it is a great feeling when it all finally works! 

2

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Re: New Win7 install not connecting

« on: June 26, 2011, 05:22:40 PM »

Hello Rufi:

At this time, the computer no longer has Win7 installed. However, I am going to install Win7 on a second computer, and have another try getting all the parts talking. I will also incorporate your suggestions. The second computer install will be in a week or two, and I will post all the details. At this time, I suspect drivers were the problem, however the firewall could also been working to defeat the Ethernet without the proper inbound/outbound rules set.

It seems Win7 is quite a bit different from XP in many respects.

As Mike posted, he has dspmc working on two computers with Win7.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,

John M.

3

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Re: New Win7 install not connecting

« on: June 26, 2011, 02:28:36 PM »

Thanks for more input:

<Mike>
I did use a Crossover cable. As I said, the XP setup has been working fine. The only initial problems I had when setting up the machine several months ago, was my encoders were not showing a full 5v. at initial start-up. I found the problem after much searching. My dspmc controller,  I/O boards, + 24v ps, and 5v ps, are in a rack mount chassis. All the machine cabling to the controller chassis, is DB9 connectors and shielded cable at the rear of the chassis. The office XP computer would connect immediately to the Ethernet when I was testing the controller chassis in my office. When it was in the Mill, and all the cables connected, the Ethernet icon showed “no cable connection.” By trial and error, I eventually  tested the voltage on the encoder inputs, and discovered that at start-up, the voltage was only 3.2 volts at the encoder terminal.  If I disconnected all the encoder plugs, the Ethernet would connect immediately. If I then re-connected the encoders while the Ethernet icon was showing good, I could then start Mach3, and the machine would work OK. Once the machine was shut off, and then restarted, the “Ethernet cable not connected” problem returned. My fix was to run separate +5v/GND wires to each encoder board (the J2, J3) connection to a second Molex 5v/GND connector in the chassis to the 5v. power supply. Previously, the source of the 5v signal originated at the 7535 board 5v. logic terminals, but this is not sufficient at startup, as I discovered.
---

<Peter 81>
I looked on the Newegg site for PCI Ethernet boards, and read the reviews. The majority of reviewers had changed the motherboard Ethernet connection to a PCI board Ethernet connection to solve problems.

I did a re-install of XP on the computer since my first post.  I also used “Driver Dectective” to update all the drivers it could find, which included the Ethernet connection.  However, before I did the XP install, I used “Wipe Drive” to totally erase the HD, and then did a full XP install. The HD is brand new, as is the computer.  The same computer is now working fine, and the Ethernet connection is immediate. The Mach3 program and dspmc works smooth as silk.

It would appear now, the physical Ethernet port could not be cause of the problem I was having. Before re-installing XP, and getting
everything working again, the port was definitely suspect.

When doing the Win7 install, I did not use “Driver Dectective” for getting the latest drivers.  That is now, the major suspect to Win7 not working properly with the Ethernet connection.

Thanks very much, Mike and Peter. It is great to have feedback on these kind of endeavors. Sometimes, working alone on a problem, we overlook the simple answer. Other input really helps.

Regards for now,
John M
 









 

4

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / Re: New Win7 install not connecting

« on: June 25, 2011, 02:20:20 PM »

Hello Mike:
I did set up the IP address (198.168.0.10) as in XP, but no luck. Also, the screen shows "Unidentified Network".

Momentarily disconnecting the Ethernet cable shows the blue icon circle "ON" for about 30 seconds before going off, indicating no connection.

Also, downloaded all the Win7 updates, but no change.

Re-installed XP, and will get another computer to benchtest with Win7 again. It also could be a driver problem, or the port. I used "Driver Dectective" with my original XP installation with success.

After reading many comments regarding failed Ethernet connections, I looked at the "Newegg Computer" site for PCI boards. Many reviewers of PCI Ethernet boards had similar frustrations with factory motherboards; installing a new PCI port, no more disconnects.

Thanks for now. I will post my progress next week.

Regards,
John
 

5

dspMC/IP Motion Controller / New Win7 install not connecting

« on: June 23, 2011, 05:28:32 PM »

Hello All:

I just re-installed my dspmc controller and Mach3 on a new Win7 system. Previous install was on an XP system and all was working fine. This install is the exact same type of computer, but a new one that has a comm port so I can use my "Cubloc" plc.

For some reason, the Ethernet connection is not seen. I am sure it is some simple setup process. Win7 is quite a bit different from XP, and has some different terminology.

I am not familiar with the nuances of Win7, and must be blocking the conn with the Ethernet.

Advise?

Thanks,
John

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 problem with new cnc

« on: June 04, 2011, 04:54:12 PM »

Anyone else have any views on the future for Mach (except that version 4 will solve everything) ??

Tweakie.

Mach will just get better as time goes on. Any software as complicated and multi-faceted as Mach, takes a long time to sort out. As I understand, Brian is a re-organizing the entire program into a better structured format, with fewer inherent problems. I am sure he has a few new goodies as well!

 However, v.4  will not resolve hardware problems.

The parallel port is really old technology in this fast changing world of computers. Ethernet is the new fast communication link, and is on every new computer today, and should be a consideration when building a new system.

7

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: What The World's Been Waiting For - Yet Another Power Drawbar Design

« on: June 01, 2011, 10:25:17 PM »

Hello Ray:
Are you familiar with the "Universal Houdaille Kwik-Switch 200" tool holder, and BP spindle replacement?

I have two of them; one is installed on a manual BP clone, and the other is on a large Lagun mill, 40 taper spindle, with CNC. You can change tools by hand (no wrench required) in about 6 or 8 seconds. The spindle must have a brake, and you can change the tool holder with one hand.

My third mill is a bed-type CNC with a 16 pocket carousel tool changer.  The tool holders are BT-40. Back when I bought tooling for that mill, 1990, I was able to get BT-40 tool holders with the Universal Houdaille collet taper bore/lock nut arrangement.  This enables me to utilize the same collets and nuts on all three machines. 

Of course, you get absolute repeatable Z axis offsets for all your tools.

The tool holders are positive drive with two drive tangs on the body, and they have three style collets.
(1)Acra-flex, which has a small range in tool shank diameter
(2)Acra-mill super high precision, which takes the exact tool diameter without an internal drive plug.
(3)Acra-grip, same style and precision as (2), but has a spring-loaded plug, which drops into the mill cutter flat giving a positive, no-slip drive to the end mill for heavy milling.

The down side to all this is, Universal Houdaille went out of business back in the 80's, due to the insane Wall St. leveraged buy-out swindle (Investment bankers call it good business!).

There are companies making collets and other parts. There are also new and used Universal Houdaille collets and parts on E-bay.

I just looked on E-bay, and they have a good condition BP clone spindle for sale, and loads of collets, and tool holders.

I consider changing over to the Kwik-switch 200 system one of my best investments in tooling.

Regards,
John

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Opinions on drives for cnc control conversion?

« on: May 10, 2011, 01:02:09 AM »

If the drives are not burned out, I would stay with the Westamp drives and powersupply, plus motors.

I converted a similar vintage mill with Westamp drives, and retained all of the original motors, power supply, and encoders. My motor encoders have been changed over the years, but everything else is original. When my original CNC control died, and the manufacturer had gone out of business, I had it sitting in my shop for about 10 years. The Vital System dspmc controller made a perfect match for the +/- 10v. Westamp drives, and the motors run smoother and faster now than with the original controller.

In the 1980's, Excello was a top level machine tool manufacturer, and I am sure they matched everything pretty well for the size of the machine.

You still need to build a control panel, and wire up a lot of switches and connections to get everything working. If after using the machine, and you want more speed and power, you can move up to later state of the art AC brushless servo's and drives, but the costs will be a major outlay.

John
  
 

9

Modbus / Re: Struggling with RS485 & Teco 7300CV

« on: March 29, 2011, 03:41:04 PM »

Greetings G.D.

As a follow-up to my last reply; I did get an answer from Commfront regarding using their RS232 Analyzer software. My connection to Modbus is a single, M/F DB9, straight through connector, on Serial Comm 1. My Modbus connection is working fine, no problems.

When I ran the demo Commfront software, the program said" Cannot connect, Port already connected."

The Commfront reply to my various questions told me, in order to run their software program, I need to get another cable, and connect to a second computer, Laptop, or whatever is available. The Analyzer software needs to run on it's own Serial port.

The cable required is their part number: CBL-FULL-1A.
It has (4) DB9 connectors, (2) M/F pairs , and somehow connected appropriately in the middle.

To use the setup:

(1) Plug in one DB9 pair into the computer RS232 comm port running Mach3, and the other end of that line to the Modbus connector.

(2) Plug in the next pair to the same computer running Mach3 (need to use a USB to RS232 adapter if no extra Comm port available),
and the other end to a second computer. The software Analyzer runs on this computer. If it is a laptop with no RS232 connector, you need to get another USB to RS232 adapter.

Now, after assigning the correct ports in the Analyzer software program, all the data passing between the Mach3 program, and the Modbus, will show up on the second computer monitor, in the Analyzer screen, send and receive (in separate colors for readability) . You can send pre-written scripts, or codes; save all data to a log file, ...... etc.

//////////////

At this time, I do not need such a analysis setup, but as I get further into using Modbus, and working with the capabilities in Mach3, I certainly would consider the small expense well worth it. We all end up spending quite a lot of time getting our projects running, and an extra 150.00 is not that great an expense in the overall picture. I already have one USB to RS232 converter made by Parallax. I got it from "Solarbiotics", and it works great on my second DB9 port on the Cubloc 32-M board. I think it was about $22.00.  It is for the second Cubloc serial port, for downloading ladder logic/Basic programs into the CB280 module.

Regards,

John


 




 

10

Modbus / Re: Struggling with RS485 & Teco 7300CV

« on: March 25, 2011, 01:32:54 AM »

Hello again, G.D.

Well, I did install the "free demo" Analyzer software, and tried it on my RS232 conn going to my Cubloc Modbus. When my Modbus is talking to Mach3, and the Feed override is going up and down as it should, and the different buttons on the screen are working on my panel through Modus, the software says it cannot connect, because the Port is "already Open." I don't know if you have to use a different serial cable or what. Mine is a standard off the shelf male/female DB9 cable, on Com 1, at 19200 baud, 8-N-1.  So, I might give them an email question to find out how I can "see" my Serial data. Meanwhile, I watched a bunch of short videos they (Commfront) have regarding this software. It is pretty amazing what it can read (Binary, Ascii, Decimal, Octal), analyze, print Rx and Tx in different colors, in real time, and capture all to a file. The free download has some limitations compared to what the $79.00 software does, but it will let you "see" what is going back and forth. While you are waiting, give a look at the Commfront videos. They are pretty impressive. Looks to me like a very powerful tool. Now that I have played with it a little bit, I can see the value of dual monitors, as suggested in another post by Poppa Bear, and he is the total "Modbus Guru" as things go with Mach3.

John