Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problems with Parallel Port inputs on Motherboard

« on: July 29, 2008, 04:26:23 AM »

Unfortunately, I only have one parallel port, and it's on the motherboard. I simply told the BIOS to put it at a different location. If there was room in the case, I'd try a PCI Parallel port, but there isn't room.

I made the same mistake with the port number on the config page too

I didn't start out messing with the BIOS, it worked nicely on the other computer. I only resorted to that after I couldn't get the inputs working. I played for hours, and just used up all my ideas. What confuses me is that the hardware is good. I can run that program, and it shows all my inputs perfectly. No matter how I configure Mach3, including using a configuration that already worked, the inputs still don't work.

32

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....

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Configuring the spindle relay

« on: June 20, 2008, 01:57:03 PM »

Thanks everyone for the help. It seems I had two problems, one hardware and one software. I've got the config problem fixed, and now I can concentrate on my hardware oops

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Configuring the spindle relay

« on: June 19, 2008, 12:59:39 PM »

Another question... Is Output 1 automatically configured as a spindle control, or do I have to configure somewhere that the spindle uses Output 1?

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: Configuring the spindle relay

« on: June 19, 2008, 12:53:09 PM »

Well, I oopsed with the 'Ports & Pins' screen. I confused port with pin, and thought it was already set at 1. I changed it, but it's still not working. It is a single relay, it's a small machine with no way to reverse spindle (Collet holder is screwed on, I'd have flying tools if I reversed

36

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!

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: Starting from Zero, need advice

« on: June 14, 2008, 11:37:20 PM »

I want to thank both of you for the replies! Just what I was looking for. I've got movement in the X, Y, and Z, just floundering a bit from here. I feel like a teenager who just got a brand new Mustang, but doesn't know how to drive yet. I'm trying to tread carefully so I can avoid doing something really stupid The Mach3 Interface is a bit intimidating to me. My extent of usage has been to jog the axis's around, playing with my power supply voltage to get enough tourque without baking the motors. I figured out the steps per unit to 8000 (20 turns for a 1" movement on the mill, 200 steps per rev for the motor, and half-stepping) I think I'll soon add home switches, but good to know I can get by without them for now. I'm curious... Let's say my motor skipped a step or two. While machining, it happens to go over a home switch. Would it correct itself? Also, I'm assuming the home switch has a concept of direction, like backlash compensation, so it will only read it going one way?

One more quick question... Is there a way to test the machine? For instance, traveling from end to end on all 3 axis's, making sure steps don't get missed. In addition to getting to know the machine better, I'd like to be able to do something with it before I figure out how to make something in CAD, and then LazyCAM.

One more quick question... I haven't found where to adjust the direction of an axis. I think it was my X axis, and when I clikced on the button to go one way, it went in the opposite direction. Is there a way that I can reverse this without having to rewire the stepper motor?

Thanks again!

38

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!