Messages

31

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle jus

« on: May 26, 2010, 09:15:57 AM »

The reason I am using MaxCL is specifically because the installation instructions on Darek's BOB board tells me to.
Nowhere in his instructions does it mentions how to specifically set or enable the axis, just set MaxCL and don't worry about the rest.

Specifically, his instruction states:

"The software must be set to Max CL Mode (This is done under Config, Ports and Pins, Port Setup and Axis Selection.). When the software is in this mode you do not have to configure the motor outputs for the axis (Pins 2-9)."

And that's it.  Nothing else at all on setting up the drives.

Now I just received this email from Darek:

"Charles,

The axis have to be enabled X, Y & Z ( They use to come that way, the newest version of Mach 3 may have changed.) The PIN and PORT #'s assignment is automatic with MaxNC CL mode.

Thanks,
Darek"

But no explanation on HOW to enable the axis!

So I guess the question is, how do I enable the axis?

Thanks,
Charles.

32

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle jus

« on: May 26, 2010, 01:40:44 AM »

This one will be a teaser!

I am using Dared's BOB on a Bridgeport Series II CNC Mill.

I remedied my previous problem and got down the road to a new problem.

The EStop on the mill and in software works just fine.  Also the spindle stops and starts like a champ.

But no axle movement at all.  None of the axis jog, or move while running a program.

MaxCL is enabled.

I think the problem lies in a setting in the software related to MaxCL.  For some unknown reason Mach3 simply isn't telling the axis to move, or possibly even recognizing any axis at all, given that all the axis are grayed out in Motor Tuning.

Jog is enabled with "continuous" set.  The Numlock is off.

I have checked the wiring and it is hooked up right with no breaks.

I am definitely NOT on a limit switch.  The mill bed is dead center and moves fine when the original BOSS control is hooked up.

When running a program, it just skims through all axis movements doing nothing, again leading me to believe Mach3 simply doesn't recognize any of the axis.

When the computer is running, here are the status of the LED's on Darek's board  The LED numbers correspond 1 to 1 with port pin numbers.
1,3,4,5,7,9,14,16,17 are on (lit)
2,6, and all the input's are off (unlit).
Input #10 is lit when the mill is first turned on, and goes off when the Limit Override button is pressed.

I'm stumped.  What would cause Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle just fine?

What do you suggest?

33

Mach3 and G-Rex / Mach3 to not recognize/move the axis while operating the spindle just fine

« on: May 26, 2010, 01:39:10 AM »

This one will be a teaser!

I am using Dared's BOB on a Bridgeport Series II CNC Mill.

The EStop on the mill and in software works just fine.
Also the spindle stops and starts like a champ.

But no axle movement at all.  None of the axis jog, or move while running a program.

MaxCL is enabled.

I think the problem lies in a setting in the software related to MaxCL.  For some unknown reason Mach3 simply isn't telling the axis to move, or possibly even recognizing any axis at all, given that all the axis are grayed out in Motor Tuning.

Jog is enabled with "continuous" set.  The Numlock is off.

I have checked the wiring and it is hooked up right with no breaks.

I am definitely NOT on a limit switch.  The mill bed is dead center and moves fine when the original BOSS control is hooked up.

When running a program, it just skims through all axis movements doing nothing, again leading me to believe Mach3 simply doesn't recognize any of the axis.

When the computer is running, here are the status of the LED's on Darek's board  The LED numbers correspond 1 to 1 with port pin numbers.
1,3,4,5,7,9,14,16,17 are on (lit)
2,6, and all the input's are off (unlit).
Input #10 is lit when the mill is first turned on, and goes off when the Limit Override button is pressed.

I'm stumped.  What would cause Mach3 to not recognize/move the x, y, and z axis while operating the spindle just fine?

What do you suggest?

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport conversion help

« on: May 26, 2010, 01:27:30 AM »

Thank you for your reply.

Hopefully I will get just as lucky!

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport conversion help

« on: May 24, 2010, 02:54:23 AM »

Nick,

I hope you can help me and I very much thank you in advance for your assistance.

I saw in your post that you are using Darek Ashburn's BOB board to communicate a PC with a Bridgeport CNC.

I also have one of Darek's BOB boards and a Bridgeport Series II with BOSS 6.  I have been trying to get the two to work together, but no luck. 
I am not sure but it is possible I have misunderstood how to wire Darek's board to the BOSS unit.

Nowhere in the documentation does it specifically state whether the BOB should be wired to the connectors on the XDI card or directly to the wiring harness bypassing the XDI card.

I assumed that the BOB card was to be wired directly to the ZDI card bypassing the factory console. 
Therefore I made a wiring harness with plugs which plug straight into the ZDI card at the K5, K6, and K8 sockets.  Thereby inputting the Mach3 signals directly into the ZDI.

Maybe this is entirely wrong.  Possibly the BOB should be wired directly to the cable harness and not to the ZDI card at all, thereby bypassing the ZDI card.

Please see the attached Pic to see what I did and possibly what I should have done??

http://www.lowryindustries.com/Did I wire this right.htm

Much appreciated,

Charles.

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: Calling all post processors. ( Help me to help you )

« on: May 24, 2010, 02:49:34 AM »

Creep Pea,

I hope you can help me and I very much thank you in advance for your assistance.

I saw in a post a few years back that you successfully uses Darek Ashburn's BOB board to communicate a PC with a Bridgeport Series II CNC.

I also have one of Darek's BOB boards and a
Nowhere in the documentation does it specifically stated whether the BOB should be wired to the connectors on the ZDI card or directly to the wiring harness bypassing the ZDI card.

I assumed that the BOB card was to be wired directly to the ZDI card bypassing the factory console.

Maybe this is entirely wrong.  Possibly the BOB should be wired directly to the cable harness and not to the ZDI card at all, thereby bypassing the ZDI card.

Please see the attached Pic to see what I did and possibly what I should have done??

http://www.lowryindustries.com/Did I wire this right.htm

Charles.

37

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: I need help with enabling inputs, Huge source of free Bridgeport Boss manuals

« on: May 24, 2010, 02:31:20 AM »

Not daft at all.  Done that, but I have not yet received a response.

Not a problem, though.  It has only been a couple of days.  But it is still better to ask around in case Darek is out for a few weeks.

38

Third party software and hardware support forums. / I need help with enabling inputs, Huge source of free Bridgeport Boss manuals

« on: May 22, 2010, 10:33:38 PM »

First, I desperately need help getting my Bridgeport mill to work through Darek Ashburn's Hillbilly BOB.

Then, I have posted a fairly complete set of manuals for the Bridgeport Boss6.

I NEED HELP WITH MACH3 TALKING THROUGH DAREK'S BOB.
For the life of me cannot get Darek Ashburn's Hillbilly BOB to work with my Bridgeport.  I am completely stumped.

I have a Bridgeport Series II CNC, which works just fine.  Everything on it is good and it runs
without a hitch.  That is, until I hook up the Mach 3.  Then it becomes a paperweight.  No jog, no nothing.

I think the problem has to do with the inputs.  None of the input lights come on.  Ever.  I
have no idea if this is normal or what.
Also, when trying to run a program I get to the message "“Spindle Start Requested” in m3.m1s,
and nothing happens afterward.  The next line is   SystemWaitFor(Input2)  and it simply hangs
there.  Waiting for an Input2 which it never receives?

I also don't know what to look for to see if the NOT E-STOPPED signal has been sent.
Then, does pressing the Emergency Stop on the mill do something?  How do I reset the software?

I have gone through everything including rechecking the wiring, and it all checks out.  I have followed the
instructions in the document "USING MACH3 WITH BRIDGEPORT STEPPER DRIVES" including creating the
new macros, but still nothing.
I have checked the Bios to ensure the parallel port is properly configured.  Apparently it is, with the port set to ECP+EPP, and the IO range is also correct.
I checked the parallel port cable and it is good on all lines.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why I am not getting any input from the mill at all.

I have a series of pictures here which should help.  (The Bridgeport was fully running when these pics were taken.)
http://www.lowryindustries.com/i_need_help_with_mach_3.htm

Info on the BOB can be had here.  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=646.0

Hopefully someone will have a suggestion.
I need HELP!!


Here are the Bridgeport manuals I have posted.  In my experience, most of not all of these manuals were virtually impossible to obtain until now.
These manuals are in zip format.
R2E4 CNC
EZ-FILE
Bridgeport Series I CNC Program Entries Descriptions
Series II CNC Programming Manual
Series I Programming Manual
Series II CNC Operating Manual
Series II CNC Maintenance Manual with full schematics
NC-Programming-Sheet
Bridgeport-BOSS-G-Codes
SERIES-1-CNC-PROGRAMING-MANUAL-Untitled
Available at:  http://www.lowryindustries.com/Bridgeport Manuals.htm