Topics

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General Mach Discussion / Problems with Parallel Port inputs on Motherboard

« on: July 29, 2008, 01:39:35 AM »

I set up Mach3 the way I liked it, and moved the CFG to the computer I decided to use (All-in-one touch screen computer). It's got a Jetway 625EMP with a VIA C3 CPU. The stepper motors and spindle relay control work fine, but all inputs (Limit switches, emergency stop) don't work at all. I came across a parallel port test program, and it detects all the inputs fine. I've tried changing the port from 378 to 278, tried SPP, EPP ECP, and EPP+ECP, and nothing works. I don't know if it is important, as I've never programmed a parallel port before, but the test program shows 3 addresses. It shows 378, 379, and 37A. Next to each number it shows a byte, and when I trip the switches, bits in the 379 byte toggle. I'm guessing this is normal, but not sure. I thought it might be something left over from the config file, which I just copied over from the other computer, but I renamed it and used the old file, then set it up, and it still doesn't work. I suppose It might be some unfixable strange incompatibility, but hoping someone has some ideas

BTW, Both computers have Windows 2K

Also, no need to tell me to update the BIOS. I tried, and then realized it was actually a downgrade, and I already had the latest. It required an EPROM programmer to fix....

12

General Mach Discussion / Configuring the spindle relay

« on: June 19, 2008, 01:20:00 AM »

I've been scratching my head for a while, double-checking the hardware, and now I think it's the software. I have a spindle relay connected to pin 1. In the diagnostic screen, if I toggle 'Spindle Toggle', Output 1 toggles, but that doesn't translate to any change on the actual parallel port. Is there a way to configure 'Output 1' to toggle pin 1? Thanks!

13

General Mach Discussion / Starting from Zero, need advice

« on: June 13, 2008, 12:19:06 PM »

First, I'm VERY new to CNC. This is the first time I've even had access to one.

I just finished my Sherline Mill conversion to CNC, and now I'm wondering if I should have asked around first (No plans, nothing from a kit, I did it all from scratch, doing what I THOUGHT was right). I assumed that limit switches were most important, so I used up my Parallel Port inputs on X, Y, and Z limit switches. Now it seems home switches are more important. Is there a way to simulate a home position from a limit switch? Or should I just add home switches? If so, what's the best place to put them? Can or should I put all my limit switches on one pin? My home switches? I'm using Linistepper drivers with stepper motors. Forgive me if this was answered before, but there is a LOT of information on here, and after much looking, I haven't found it. Thanks!