Messages

191

SmoothStepper USB / ESS and Pokeys

« on: March 01, 2014, 09:03:17 AM »

Tan, I think I have seen a few of your Emco conversions lately. Are you tantaninc on YouTube?
   I am really curious on how and what encoders/pots you were using to control feed rate over ride and the step size? The pot/encoder appeared to have a push button feature built in.

   Are you trying to use an Ethernet Pokeys and ESS at the same time or is your Pokeys USB?

Is there a reason not to use the Pokeys for the axis control? I am trying to set up a lathe and want a few more I/O's but don't mind running my axis' via my MX3660 via a PP.

192

SmoothStepper USB / ESS and Pokeys

« on: March 01, 2014, 08:56:15 AM »

Are they getting ready for Mach4?

193

General Mach Discussion / Re: Recommendations on BEST Breakout Board by General Mach3 Users !

« on: February 28, 2014, 10:46:11 PM »

Definitely no issues with the PMDX126. If space isnt an issue, it is the standard by which all will be measured in the price range I am in anyway.

194

General Mach Discussion / Re: Proper directions of X, Y, an Z axis

« on: February 28, 2014, 02:16:21 PM »

Glad I could help. Btw, You are now a hobby machinist until it pays the bills.

195

General Mach Discussion / Re: New Member:Help with Mill spindle motor

« on: February 28, 2014, 11:12:53 AM »

I want to see video of it up and running with the 10 tool changer!

196

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and Gecko540

« on: February 28, 2014, 11:09:55 AM »

Any luck?

197

General Mach Discussion / Re: Proper directions of X, Y, an Z axis

« on: February 28, 2014, 11:06:59 AM »

   I dont believe there is a correct or standard way as you can see from the different articles. I am just a hobbyist and am wrong plenty often, the terms I have always heard are that the Z is spinning, whether tool or part, mill or lathe (this is not always true as there are A & C axis too). The - direction is always into the work. Z- would be cutting towards the chuck (or into the table if a mill), X- is the tool traveling towards the center of the piece.

   That all being said. I dont think it makes 1 bit of difference as long as you the operator understand how you have it set up in CAD, CAM & how the machine is configured.

198

General Mach Discussion / Re: I've Done My Homework, but Can't get Relay to Fire Plasma Torch

« on: February 27, 2014, 08:13:07 PM »

What BOB are you using?

First of all in most configurations of a single parallel port pins 10-13 & 15 are input pins only so that wouldnt make the relay operate.

So pin 16 is connected to the relay, which is an output.

I would put a check in the disable spindle relays box. I say that because my lathe has it checked and it works fine and on that lathe I have no directional control. I do have speed control though. Just on or off.

On this same set up the motor output is enabled and oddly only the step pin (1 in this case of port 2, USB SS). Step Low and DIR low are both checked (green)

Again on this same set up under "motor control" in spindle options, use spindle motor output is checked, step/dir motor is checked, PWM base frequency is 5 and % is 0. It works on my spindle. Worth a try to fire the torch.

199

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 and Gecko540

« on: February 27, 2014, 05:56:24 PM »

Joe,

First of all, yes the power supply can be used. The picture is odd. It appears to have a dual output on the transformer as indicated 18v (yellow pair) 36v (white pair). You want the 36V, higher (up to 48v would have been better IMO but these are minor differences, I would have also chosen a dual voltage in either 48 & 5v or 48 & 12v).

Anyway if you follow that white pair on the transformer, they go to a rectifier or regulator module. It should be clearly marked + and - on the output side. The voltage in the transformer is AC until it goes thru this module. Those 2 will be the voltage supply for the G540.

Regarding the steppers. The pictures are odd. Is it only a 4 wire? Can you show how and where it was hooked up originally? Your prewired DB9 came with a 3.5k resistor soldered in?

Wires 6 & 7 (green and white according to your diagram) are B phase.
         8 & 9 (red and black) are A phase.
If you have a meter, you can test which pairs are common to each coil on your stepper. Otherwise the Chinese unknown stepper are difficult to guess. No harm will be done either way on the stepper. It will either work or not. It might go the wrong direction but that can be changed in the settings.

Btw use wire nuts to hook them up temporarily til operational.

This article might give you a little more insight.
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/0AEE7B9AD4B3E04186256ACE005D833B

200

General Mach Discussion / Re: Ref all axis, and soft limits

« on: February 27, 2014, 12:07:28 PM »

Where is the like button when you need it?