Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Homing Problem - Slave Axis

« on: February 02, 2009, 02:51:54 PM »

A reply from "cagray" (Allen) on the Warp9 forum ...

Slave homing doesn't work so well at the moment. Greg is aware of the issue and is working on a fix.

If X tags first it works fine. What I have done as a work around is write a homing routine that first de-slaves, make a small positive A movement then re-slave. This slightly racks the gantry but not enough to put it in to a bind.

I will try this out and see if it works for me.

32

General Mach Discussion / Re: Homing Problem - Slave Axis

« on: February 02, 2009, 09:26:56 AM »

OK ... I reconfigured the system a few times today.  First I tried Chip's suggestion regarding the "reversed" A axis.  I changed the wiring, changed the software configuration, still the same problem.

Then I disabled the smooth stepper and wired direct to the LPT port.  SUCCESS!  I have homing on the slave axis.

I know that this has been discussed on Warp9's forums - and it was suposed to be fixed with the latest release of their driver, but apparently it has not been fixed - or this is a new problem.

I guess I will play in the "LPT World" until it gets resolved.

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Homing Problem - Slave Axis

« on: January 31, 2009, 09:57:10 AM »

Chip,

I will check this when I get back to the shop on Monday.  I believe that I have my X axis set Normal and the A axis set for Reversed.  But as I recall, this is the only way I could get the system to travel "normally".  If I set them both Normal or both Reversed, do I need to change some wiring?

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Homing Problem - Slave Axis

« on: January 30, 2009, 10:16:55 PM »

Thanks for the reply Chip.  I saw this solution posted ... tried it ... responed exactly the same.  Sorry, that solution did not work for me.

35

General Mach Discussion / Homing Problem - Slave Axis

« on: January 30, 2009, 04:53:05 PM »

I am having a homing problem with a new CNC router.

“Normal” motion (X, Y, Z, & A axis) is working fine.  Jogging works as well.  Homing the Z axis works great.  Homing the Y axis works great.  The problem is during the home operation of the X&A axis (A slaved to X).  Here is what I see happening - per the Alt7 Diagnostic Screen.

I hit the X-Ref button
X & A axis move toward (-) home position
M1Home & M4Home light up (Separate home switches)
X stops A stops
X begins moving away (+) from home switch
X Home switch (M1Home) turns off (M4Home remains on)
X stops moving – X is referenced HOME
A begins moving away (+) from home switch
A Home switch (M4Home) turns off
A continues to move away (+) from home switch until motor “slips” and gantry binds
Finally have to hit “reset” button to stop slipping

IF at this point I then hit A-Ref button …
A begins moving toward (-) home position
A Home switch (M4Home) turns on
A reverses and begins moving away (+) from home switch
A Home switch (M4Home) turns off
A stops moving – A is referenced HOME

In other words, homing seams to work separately – but not together.

Also, when the X&A homing routine fails – Mach 3 no longer recognizes the A axis with regards to standard movement.  In other words, Mach 3 seams to un-slave the A axis from the X axis.  This un-slaving occurs even if the A-Ref button succeeds in homing the A axis.  The only way to resolve this problem is to close Mach3 - and reopen it.

Using Mach3 version 3.042.020
Using a PMDX-132 board
Using Smooth Stepper Driver Beta2_V015ogb
Debounce is set at 2000
X Home on Pin 15
A Home on Pin 13
Y Home & Z Home share Pin 12
All Limit switches share Pin 11

Help! - and Thanks in advance for your input.