Messages

1331

General Mach Discussion / G31 Bug?

« on: February 18, 2009, 10:48:29 PM »

When I do a "G31 Z-0.5000", the Z axis starts moving, and keeps going forever.  Isn't it supposed to stop when it reaches the target position of -0.5000. if it hasn't seen the probe input go active?

Regards,
Ray L.

1332

General Mach Discussion / Re: output for smooth stepper

« on: February 18, 2009, 04:12:14 PM »

Thanks for the post Ray,,
So you think the board is ignoring my M11 P4, M11 P9, output commands?,, could it be the bleed down resistors?

thanks

I have no idea what M10 and M11 do.  But why aren't you using move commands (M0/M1/M2/M3)??  Or simply jogging?

Regards,
Ray L.

1333

General Mach Discussion / Re: output for smooth stepper

« on: February 18, 2009, 03:02:00 PM »

I am progressing slowly,, I changed the state my output pins are in to active low and hit apply and OK and there condition changed,, IE my LEDS lit up
So my smooth stepper is working the outputs, but is ignoring them in my Gcode?? I feel like I am missing an enable button some where

still working
josh

You should be aware the CNC4PC C11 does NOT work well with the SmoothStepper.  That *may* be your problem.  Clearly Mach can "talk" to the outputs, and the SS is doing what it's told under "static" conditions.  The C11 contains filters on the Step/Dir lines which, due to their design, can filter out the step pulses from the SS.  I would expect it to work at least at low speed, but who knows....  I had to modify my C11 to make it work with my SS.  You should probably call Arturo at CNC4PC.

Regards,
Ray L.

1334

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need advice on which breakout board is needed?

« on: February 18, 2009, 01:02:43 PM »

You need to figure out exactly what functionality you need, before you can choose a BOB, or rule out the SmoothStepper.  What step rates do you need to achieve to get your target rapid rates?  Since you're apparently using servos, your step rates may be quite high - beyond what a parallel port can support.  Mine run 20K and 96K steps/inch, so getting reasonable rapid rates means running beyond what a PP can support (the PP usually tops out at 45kHz).  You may also get smoother, more reliable operation with the SS - I sure did.  If you do use the SS, not all BOBs will work well with it.  I know the CNC4PC C11 will not - I had to modify mine to make it work abouve 40kHz step rate (and the spindle speed control is very unreliable....)  Not sure about the C11T, but I suspect it uses very similar circuitry.  For the BOB, do you need spindle speed control?  If so, what kind - Step/Dir or PWM?  What voltage range?  Not all the BOBs you list support spindle speed control, so you'd have to buy an additional spindle control board, in addition to the BOB.  How many relays do you need?  Many systems will require at least 3: Spindle CW, Spindle CCW, and Coolant.  Some need even more.  Do you want/need opto-islolation?  If you're using Geckos, you don't need this on the Step/Dir signals, but may still want it on the other signals, to help with noise immunity on limit/home switches, etc.

Regards,
Ray L.

1335

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tormach version of Mach3

« on: February 18, 2009, 12:59:45 AM »

Did you transfer the Mach3 XML file containing all your configuration settings from the old Mach3 directory to the new one?

Regards,
Ray L.

1336

General Mach Discussion / Re: Encoder pull up resistors

« on: February 17, 2009, 07:47:34 PM »

12 feet is mighty long for encoder cables, though you can get away with it if things are quiet.  The usual recommendation is no more than 6 feet, unless the encoders are differential output.  Are those cables shielded?  If not, they need to be.  If they are, are the shields properly grounded - that is, ONLY at the end opposite the encoders?

The fact that you can run long signal wires if the power supply is local suggests you're getting noise in the power into the encoders.  Have you tried putting capacitors on the power pins of the encoder?  Usually two caps two decades apart is helpful - 0.1 & 0.001uF generally works well.

Regards,
Ray L.

1337

General Mach Discussion / Re: No VFD voltage...

« on: February 16, 2009, 04:19:02 PM »

OK - spindle works !

I was able to trip the Dayton relay with another relay (I am electronically challenged so left the original set up alone knowing it worked.) And I have control of the spindle through Mach3 on "M" codes and screen buttons.  What I do not have is control of the speed.  I am using a Campbell combo BOB and have a 0-10Vdc signal coming out but now need to adjust the signal to provide a linear signal that coincides with Mach3.  If anyone knows how to accomplish this I am all ears. 

Also when I use an "E stop" button everything stops as it should but when I reset the Estop.... the spindle comes back on, which seems incorrect.  I would assume this is a setting in Mach3  Any ideas on this one too?

Thanks - Henry

Sounds like your E-Stop is not feeding back to Mach, so it doesn't know you've E-stopped.  You need to feed an E-stop signal back into Mach.

Regards,
Ray L.

1338

General Mach Discussion / Re: power went off

« on: February 16, 2009, 12:29:32 PM »

I'm afraid that's something nobody else can really help you with.  You have to look at the code, and figure out where it was when the power went out.  First, you'll need to figure out how to get the machine positioned to the same "zero" point it was at the first time.  G-code usually starts with several lines of "setup" code - setting units (inches or mm), various modes (absolute or incremental), etc.  You want to re-execute those lines by setting "Single Block Mode", and stepping through them.  Once it gets into cutting moves (G00, G01, G02, G03, etc.), you can scroll ahead to the first line you need to start cutting again, and click on "RunFromHere".  I suggest you do this the first time with the tool well clear of the work, and make sure it appears to be making the right moves, then start over with the tool at the proper height.

Regards,
Ray L.

1339

General Mach Discussion / Re: motor tuning

« on: February 15, 2009, 06:21:35 PM »

Try re-installing Mach, but don't install the SS plug in.  Does it work then?

Sounds like Mach just didn't install properly.  What version are you using?

Regards,
Ray L.

1340

General Mach Discussion / Re: MachTurn tool table

« on: February 15, 2009, 04:36:09 PM »

Hood,

   Sounds like you've just given him a nice, simple solution!

Regards,
Ray L.