Messages

361

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SS and Win 7

« on: November 26, 2011, 02:44:59 PM »

Yes, at least it does here!!

Will even work with Win 7 64 bit, I've heard but not experienced, where PP will NOT.

362

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Ethernet SmoothStepper first test

« on: November 25, 2011, 06:34:33 PM »

I left my ESS inside my computer box where the USB SS lived. No problem finding 5v in there!!

363

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Ethernet SmoothStepper first test

« on: November 21, 2011, 06:34:37 PM »

The new ESS has the same footprint as the old one, so upgrading is easy.  I am not sure there is a real need to a 3 port BOB, as it can plug to existing 2 port boards and a ribbon cable can be used for 2nd port.  Let's say you want to connect a pendant, a breakout board with +24vdc logic, or just expanding I/Os.

This picture is of the board connected to a C32 board.

I tested most of the functions, and all tested ok.

Arturo Duncan
http://cnc4pc.com

Arturo, I THINK you meant use a ribbon cable for the 3rd port, at least that shows on your pic. But where does it go? To some other BOB, so one would need 2 BOBS, one for port 1/2, and one for port 3? I think what Hood was wanting was a single BOB that would use all 3 ports.

Tom

364

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Ethernet SmoothStepper first test

« on: November 20, 2011, 11:50:17 AM »

I got an Ethernet SmoothStepper from Greg, too. I have it on a BP clone with 4 axis, X/Y, Z quill, A knee, servos. It was pretty straightforward to setup. I was on a USB SmoothStepper. I installed an Intel PCI 10/100/1000 NIC, set it up per Greg's suggestion for Static IP on 10.9.9.8, subnet 255.255.255.0. The ESS is preset for 10.9.9.9, but CAN be changed. The ESS writes a new section to the Mach3 XML, so it takes a restart to get that going. You'll need to re-setup your SS config settings, or at least check them and restart. Greg is working on a smoother transition for UPGRADERS from USB SS here. I run Windows 7 32 bit, and I THINK I had to disable the Windows Firewall to get the ESS setup, but I'm not certain of the steps I was taking so I'm not absolutely certain I couldn't have gotten thru it without turning off the firewall. In any case, I have the Windows Firewall enabled now, as normal and everything is working fine.

I did NOT try to set this up by simply plugging it into my home network, like on a switch or directly to the router. I have it running on it's own separate network/subnet. This seems the best way to do this, and it's what Greg seems to recommend.

All in all, a great looking new and more noise tolerant SmoothStepper.

Tom

365

General Mach Discussion / Re: G43/G49 Question

« on: November 09, 2011, 09:34:12 AM »

Yeah, I'm using variations of your M843 and M849 macros and some others I've done to do it the way I like and I have the UserExts screen in the MSM screenset done up to use all this stuff. I kept tuning it up for the way I like to work. I'm sort of a fuddy duddy that way, being a lifelong machinist, now retired, who was stuck on the way he wants to do thing!! I'm pretty happy with my setup now, but always looking for ways to screw it up so I have some fun project!! You know how that goes, I'm sure.

The KFlop thing will have to leave me in the dust unless I want to learn C/C++/C# programming. I learned Cypress VB just enough to do what I needed, with gentle shoves from Dave Bagby (!), but C is a whole new thing. Not sure I'm up for THAT challenge.

I'll sign up for the Yahoo Dynamotion group just for fun.

Thanks,
Tom

366

General Mach Discussion / Re: G43/G49 Question

« on: November 09, 2011, 08:01:36 AM »

Ray, I have my machine setup just like yours, using M843/M849 macros to accomplish tool length compensation with the knee. It works well, but with a customized post for my CAM program and some macros in Mach to do it. I'd be very interested in your results with this KFlop thing and getting G43/G49 to work normally, but with the knee compensating for tool length differences. I assume it requires some C programming, seeing as you're waiting for a copy of Visual Studio!! Let me know if you're posting about this effort anywhere else and I'll follow along.

I'm not even certain what a KFlop is, have to check. A SS replacement, I assume?

Tom

367

General Mach Discussion / Re: Charge pump error in version R3.043.050

« on: November 09, 2011, 07:28:44 AM »

I almost think I'm seeing this, too. Has anyone mentioned this on the Yahoo group? Brian doesn't read here, I don't think. I'm going to go back to 037 today and see what I can learn. The chargepump led on the diag screen is off sometimes, and I can't jog, but my PMDX-126 outputs pulses as indicated by ITS LED and the Mach DRO is still showing movement, but the machine isn't moving. Hitting reset a couple times seems to sometimes fix it. It's never happened in a program, just when jogging or setting up. I can't pin it down.

368

SmoothStepper USB / Re: How to configure easily Mach3 + SmoothStepper with Chinese CNC ?

« on: November 05, 2011, 12:41:32 PM »

I don't think your old parallel config would have worked like you're setup either. You need PINS assigned, not just PORT 1 PIN 0. So first, work out what pins your stuff is connected to and enter it in the Mach3 setup, then we can go from there. Or uncheck Spindle and Home/Limits. If you have them checked, they need to be assigned a proper port and pin. The SS won't change any of what you had with your parallel port, just needs to be setup correctly.

How did you set this up, by copying your old config and setting, or starting from scratch? Really doesn't matter how you got where you are, just that PINS need to be assigned. You can perhaps go back and look at your old config and see what pins are assigned. OH, and normally, but NOT necessarily, X is Port 1, Pins 2 and 3. Pins 14 and 16 are often used for spindle, so you have to check something, your wiring or your old config, to see what's connected where and get Mach3 to match.

369

General Mach Discussion / Re: Has anyone used the cnc spindles from keling

« on: October 31, 2011, 08:29:50 AM »

I must be missing something. Syil X6 spec, on their web site, shows R8 200-5000 RPM spindle. That's a long way from one of these 6000-24000 high speed spindles. I know nothing about Syil's, but something doesn't fit here.

370

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Re: Resources Links page

« on: October 25, 2011, 10:01:12 AM »

Same here, clicking it brings me to the forum.