Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 06, 2009, 09:47:12 PM »

Just to clarify, I am using a smooth stepper board.

So I'm assuming the pulse frequency shown on the diagnostics screen of Mach 3 normally says "External" since the SS is generating the pulses?

Still don't get any response from the servo motors during jog commands.  Mach 3 shows the position changing, but no real movement.  The servo's do hold their position though.  Meaning if I try to turn one by hand, it will resist and hold it's current position.

What should I check next?

32

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 06, 2009, 11:48:15 AM »

Thanks Chip, I will try it tonight.  I don't want to ask a stupid question, but why would the SStepper plugin need to be turned off?  Wouldn't it need to be on to work properly?  Just trying to understand my actions.

Thanks for the help...

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 06, 2009, 01:46:12 AM »

Port 1 is selected on the ports & pins page.  However, there is no pulse freq shown.  It says "External"?

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 05, 2009, 11:36:29 PM »

OK, removed the RogerMachine plugin for now and no more servo drive disable.  So I went thru the motor tuning section and setup the servo info as appropriate.  I can reset the E-stop and it will hold it's position.  However using the jog menu nothing moves?  Mach 3 shows the position should be changing, but no movement out of the motors...  Could this be due to not tuning them yet?  I don't have an oscilloscope and haven't done anything yet other then the initial Gecko instructions, limit is at half, gain is at zero, and damp is at 25 percent.

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 05, 2009, 10:42:56 PM »

Well I looked in the Gecko instructions and it listed that the servo power wiring being backwards could cause this condition.  So I swapped the power leads and all is well.  The drives reset now.

Now I can't seem to clear a Servo drive disable signal, however no Gecko faults are present?  It may be the RogersMachine interface plugin...

Chip, I was holding the Reset button in and trying to count to five.  After 2 seconds, the drive would move a 1/4 inch, pause for a second, and repeat.  All the while I was holding the reset button in.

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 05, 2009, 10:12:52 PM »

I found the "B" wire loose at the servo motor terminal strip.  However, once I landed it, and tried to reset the drives the Y axis still moves in the same direction however only a 1/4 inch at a time.  Short movement, pause for one second, moves again, etc.

I tested and found 5V, ground, and 5 V pulses while moving the motor by hand.  I suppose I will swap the A and B wires next.  Not really sure why it would respond this way if they were swapped though?

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 03, 2009, 03:54:28 PM »

I'll check on the wiring for that axis tonight.  Thanks

38

General Mach Discussion / Need some help with new build... Reset Gecko G320 fault causes Y axis to move?

« on: April 03, 2009, 11:55:54 AM »

Finally finished up my wiring last night, or early this morning actually.  Using a smooth stepper with a PMDX-122 on port 1 and a rogersmachine encoder board on port 2.  Can't get the outputs to work on the rogersmachine board, but that is a topic for another thread.

Using G320's to drive the servo's.  I just hooked up the encoders on the servo's and powered them up for the first time last night.  I don't have an oscilloscope for setup of the G320's, is it really required?  I powered it all up and the Gecko's were all faulted like normal when they first power up.  I reset my E-stop switch (actual switch) then pressed my Gecko reset button to clear the power up fault.  The manual says to hold it for 5 secs, at about second number 2, the Y axis ran inwards until my Vise contacted the machine and a fuse blew.  

Not sure why it would do this?  I haven't started to setup the motor tuning or made any adjustments on the Gecko's yet.  I thought I had to have it powered in order to do that.  

I was able to replace the fuse and try it again.  It is repeatable.  Once I reset the Gecko's, the Y axis moves quickly and I can Push my Gecko Stop button (Grounds the ERR pin on the Gecko's) to halt it.  

Any ideas?

39

General Mach Discussion / Re: Port addressing when using a smooth stepper?

« on: March 28, 2009, 02:35:06 PM »

I just got word from Ron that the smooth stepper will not work with this board, the encoder interface board must be connected to a separate parallel port to function correctly.  Doesn't seem right...  He said the smooth stepper is not realtime with the PC?

Now I have to get a PCI to parallel port card as well...

Anyone else been able to use a SL encoder interface board connected to a smooth stepper?

40

General Mach Discussion / Re: Port addressing when using a smooth stepper?

« on: March 28, 2009, 12:20:27 PM »

Well if the port addresses are ignored, then my problem is elsewhere.  I have yet to install my encoders on my servo's so I haven't interfaced with the Gecko 320's yet, however I do get limit switch inputs thru the PMDX board just fine. 

My problem is with the SoundLogic Encoder interface board.  I am reading my linear scales thru it just fine (X, Y, & Z all work correctly), however the relay contacts on this board will not work.  I have outputs 4, 5, & 6 enabled on Port 2 and also have them assigned to Spindle Forward, Spindle Reverse, and Mist control with these setting enabled within Mach 3.  On the Diagnostics screen, Mach 3 shows the outputs working correctly, however the board shows no change?  No Led and no relay actuation.  I've been in contact with Ron at RogerMachine and according to the info I've sent him they should be working?