Messages

91

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 issues on Windows Xp! Please help!

« on: April 19, 2015, 05:49:54 PM »

I agree with geh7552 you need to determine that XP is running well on the PC before worrying about Mach3. Do a clean install of XP, don't add any other programs at all, and make sure windows XP works well. Once everything is Ok we can help you with any issues with the Mach3 software.
Good luck
Dave

92

General Mach Discussion / Re: ESS to GSK servos

« on: April 17, 2015, 03:57:40 PM »

Hi Hood, thanks for the reply.
I am using an ESS. so the I/O will be 5v. Here is the manual for the servo controller.
I believe there is a way to use a second spindle on the GSK MD980B CNC controller, so I will investigate that as well in the interim.
I would really like to make this work with MACH, you will see what I mean when you read the manual

93

General Mach Discussion / Re: ESS to GSK servos

« on: April 16, 2015, 04:19:11 PM »

I guess I just need to know if what I am trying is possible, or whether I should look at another solution?

94

General Mach Discussion / Re: ESS to GSK servos

« on: April 14, 2015, 09:21:22 PM »

Whoops forgot to attach the spreadsheet. Here it is....

95

General Mach Discussion / ESS to GSK servos

« on: April 14, 2015, 09:20:11 PM »

KVR 3500 mill and Servos

Hi it's been a while since my last question, but here goes.

I have a Kingrich KVR3500 mill that I purchased new from Standaco about 4 years ago. I bought it with ball screws etc, setup for the Prototrak CNC system.
About 4 years ago I had discussions with Hood on this forum about the type of Mill to buy, and the control system.
Hood recommended a bed mill, but at the last minute I went ahead and ordered the KVR3500.
I took delivery and the very next day I had a car accident, suffering multiple injuries including a head injury that led to memory loss.

What I know now is limited to re-reading old posts, and looking at correspondence with the suppliers of various things, such as servo motors and drives etc.

Over the last few years I got the mill working using a GSK980mda CNC controller, GSK servos and drives etc. I had ordered all of these before the accident, but now that the CNC controller has developed a fault, I have decided to convert it to a software based CNC package, rather than deal with GSK's almost nonexistant support.

I have some experience using Mach3 and have a lathe that works well using an ESS and stepper motors.

I have also posted on the Linux-CNC forum asking for advice, but I think in hindsight that I'd be better off sticking with what I know best, which is Mach3.

The servo drivers on the mill are GSK DA98Bs and they accept Plus + - and Sign + - inputs. Plus is also variously called by GSK Puls and Pulse, so I think that Pulse is what they mean. Sign is probably direction?
Anyway I have a lot of trouble deciphering their chinglish manual.

I think what I need to do is convert the single ended step and direction signals from Mach, to the aforesaid plus and sign, as well as provide other signals, but I have been unsuccessful so far.

I have created a spreadsheet with my initial connections but needless to say it doesn't work. I have attached a copy of this spreadsheet to this pos.

I have also contacted GSK support, and what follows is their illuminating reply (not).
"The DA98B driver must be need the pulse and direction siganls And the driver don't have the a step and direction mode. The DA98A is using the pulse and direction.
So it is not match with the mach3 controller."

I have the manuals for the servo driver and the old cnc controller which I can attach if needed.

Lastly I would like to say thanks in advance for any help you can give me here, the mill has been a white elephant as I'm just not as capable as I was before the accident, and for the last few years I have spent far more time trying to get it to work than I ever have using it.

Cheers
Dave

96

General Mach Discussion / Hood's Birthday tomorrow: Happy birthday Hood

« on: April 10, 2015, 04:13:43 PM »

May I be one of the first to wish you many happy returns Hood, and to take this opportunity to thank you for all the help and support you have given me, and many others over the years.
Enjoy tomorrow.

97

General Mach Discussion / Re: Closed loop system, encoder connected to mach3

« on: April 09, 2015, 07:05:21 PM »

Well Easter has just been and gone, so there is a bit of it around

98

General Mach Discussion / Re: ative low or active high??

« on: April 09, 2015, 06:36:30 PM »

I must have been having a bad hair day. Bloody hormones!
Sorry
Dave

99

General Mach Discussion / Re: ative low or active high??

« on: April 09, 2015, 04:24:18 AM »

I'm sorry, but I disagree. High is higher than low, either can be used as an active signal. It would be very confusing to have a high signal that is say 30v and a low signal that is 300v. I realise it is academic, but there you go. I think mr google would confirm my description, but in a far more lucid manner.

100

General Mach Discussion / Re: ative low or active high??

« on: April 08, 2015, 03:54:53 PM »

Low is "off" or connected to common or ground, whereas high is on. Therefore a high signal would be at say 5v or in some cases 24v. For Mach3 it is usually 5v when high, and 0v when low.
That being the case, the tick box next to the signals, asks you to define whether the signal is "active" when it is high or when it is low.
Therefore, if you were to change a signal in ports and pins to "active low" from "active high" it would cease to function as intended since it would be off when the software was expecting it to be on, or vice versa.
So to answer your question, yes you would detect that something was no longer working when using the machine
Regards
David