Messages

91

General Mach Discussion / Re: Move relative to machine coordinates rather than project coordinates?

« on: March 17, 2010, 11:58:39 AM »

Perfect, that's what I was after, thanks Hood!

92

General Mach Discussion / Move relative to machine coordinates rather than project coordinates?

« on: March 17, 2010, 11:40:17 AM »

Probably a silly / simple question, but I've been searching for the answer and haven't found it yet.

G0X600G0Y600 moves the machine to 600,600 in relation to where the project has been zeroed. (I work from the center)

Is there a command I can use to move the machine to 600,600 in relation to the machine coordinates instead of project coordinates? Without changing modes?

Thanks

93

General Mach Discussion / Re: Output pin not responding only while g-code program is running?

« on: March 30, 2009, 11:01:53 AM »

Hmm, it seems that the signal is there on the parallel port, but the gecko drive isn't activating the pin.

What I have is a Gecko G540 (http://www.geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469)

For some reason, it seems like the gecko drive blocks the activity when gcode is running. I haven't given up yet, but I don't have time to play with it today. I'll post again when I have more time.

94

General Mach Discussion / Output pin not responding only while g-code program is running?

« on: March 29, 2009, 03:05:27 PM »

I have a relay connected to an output pin of my Gecko Controller, and I have set it up as Output2 in Mach. This output can be controlled with a brain, a button, or vbscript, and it works perfectly. Until you run the gcode. Then the pin in unresponsive. Even though you can see the output flashing (In the outputs/enable frame) in the Diagnostics page when the output is active.

Output1 Is connected to the router, that always works.
Ive tried using Output3 - 10, and the Enable1 - 6. No change

Starting to wonder if Mach allows Output Changes while the program is running...?

Thanks
Z

95

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stalling, losing steps

« on: February 10, 2009, 02:23:43 PM »

Hello again guys

First of all a GIGANTIC thank you for all your help and support.

I'm back to tell you that after several long, difficult cuts at top speed, I FINALLY have no missed steps.

My problem was all related to the computers I was using. If you're having a very similar problem, save yourself some headache, and try a computer with no less than 1.6ghz processor, with a separate video card (not on board), and use a fresh install of windows, or whatever OS you're using.

I still don't know what exactly was causing it, but after stripping xp down to the bare minimums, and following the optimization suggestions from the support section of this site, two of my machines have the exact same problem. I have read nearly every post on this forum, and several others that discuss skipping or stalling motors, and have tried every suggestion I've read, but in the end what finally cured my problem was a completely different computer. I went to the local surplus store, picked up a 2.6ghz 512mb ram pentium 4  desktop for $75.00, and even before the optimizing, the problem was gone.

A 333mhz pc would run smoothly, but it was too slow, it can't pulse fast enough for 10x microstepping drives and motors with 10tpi screws, so it didn't really answer any questions for me.

As for the little 'ticking' sound while jogging, this seems to be something about the keyboard polling or something, because it only does it for me on the slower machines, and only when using key jogging. The ticking sound didn't happen when it was just code running the motors.

Right now the rapids on the machine are ridiculously fast, I can jog at over 177ipm with fairly low acceleration numbers, or 145 with quick acceleration. Of course, cutting that fast isn't realistic, but when it comes to programs with lots of jogging, it saves a HUGE amount of time.

So, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you all very much!

 

96

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stalling, losing steps

« on: February 08, 2009, 11:39:11 AM »

@ Hood ~
Yep, that was one of my first attempts was following the optimization guide.


@ Simpson & Rich

I've got you guys a bit confused about where I'm at in the troubleshooting procedure, and I apologize for that At this point I'm confident that the motors, driver, power supply, etc. are working correctly now. It's something about the signal coming from the pc.

I've done a lot of stuff over the last couple days, some of which I have, or haven't mentioned here, though all of it really isn't the problem. Since all of my efforts to remove / uninstall / stop whatever is causing the interruption haven't helped yet, I've started from scratch with a fresh format and reinstall of XP.

I noticed while digging around in the bios that this computer appears to have been used as a server for some business, as there's lots of stuff in there about security, backups, and all sorts of things you don't see in a normal desktop bios. It's entirely possible that the format and reinstall may not work, even though I've disabled all of the 'extras' in the bios, and anything that sounded like it might have an effect several days ago.

At this point, I'd respectfully suggest that you don't think too hard about my problem until I come back with more information, because I think we've found the problem.

97

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stalling, losing steps

« on: February 08, 2009, 01:18:59 AM »

I was unable to see any spikes or drops using the scope.

For lack of anything better to do, I (temporarily) took my wife's pc, which is one of few remaining here with parallel ports, and installed mach3 on that. After 30 minutes of testing, the motors hadn't skipped a beat.

I'm not sure how three completely different computers can cause the same issue, but some unknown, mysterious thing about them is causing it for sure. Unfortunately, I don't think I can steal my wife's computer, but it at least gives me a direction to run in.

98

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stalling, losing steps

« on: February 07, 2009, 03:45:42 PM »

I do, though it's an old green screen, so I couldn't really share the results. I had two quick ideas to try, if they don't work I'll dig out the scope.

99

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stalling, losing steps

« on: February 07, 2009, 03:13:36 PM »

Ok, I hooked up 3 6300uf caps, which are functioning, but it didn't help the problem   

They run SO NICE and so smooth for 30-60 seconds, then there's just a blip where they're apparently losing signal, or something. I've removed everything possible from the pc startup, and stopped every process that didn't cause the pc to have problems, and it just won't go away. Also for kicks I tried a new parallel cable too. I've tried the wire wiggle test too, no tell tale signs there either.

EDIT:
I don't know if I mentioned it, or if it helps, but if I lower the speed of the motor down to say, 300rpm(ish), it will actually stall, instead of just the usual little twitch I've been describing.

100

General Mach Discussion / Re: Motors stalling, losing steps

« on: February 07, 2009, 02:24:33 PM »

I have 3, though the guy at gecko wasn't concerned with that, apparently the drive is supposed to limit the current. That aside, we had the same problem with the 10 amp 29 volt power supply.