Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: new guys needs guidance

« on: May 17, 2011, 09:22:03 PM »

Sorry, no help, but maybe a little encouragement;

I was sitting with a new (to me) CNC mill 3 weeks ago without a clue. I could make the axis move and that was about it. I am good with my CAD program in both 2D and 3D (Turbo Cad), very proficient with a computer and have a few years (hobby) experience manual machining.

Since that time I've viewed every video offered by the makers of the 2 new programs I had to learn, Visual Mill and Mach3. I've read each pdf manual and help file from cover to cover and poured over each program's web sites - especially the forums.

This weekend I successfully made 3 simple 2 1/2D parts without error. It is hard to imagine how good that felt. (The first week I drilled 4 3/8 holes in just over 5 hours - and they were not in the right place!). I've just begun the learning process, but feel I've hit an "Ah Ha" point. A lot came together all of a sudden and I'm back to hands on learning and much less frustration.

Like the veterans already said, keep at it, read & study it.

Groundhog

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: spindle control - Again!

« on: April 25, 2011, 10:16:43 PM »

Problem returned - as they usually do when they fix themselves.

Since I was seeing problems at pin#1 on the cable I decided to start there. Good place to start. Found a broken wire at the mill end of the cable on pin#1. Re-soldered it and all is working properly (again)!

Glad to get that over with.

Tweakie, thanks again for your help.

groundhog

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: spindle control

« on: April 24, 2011, 06:30:51 PM »

Tweakie,
Not sure what happened. I took a break for awhile, mill off & computer on. Went to test again just because and it test GOOD!
Hooked mill back up and spindle will reverse now. Speeds are a little off, but I haven't tuned motors yet.

Turned everything off, rebooted and all still OK.

I'm always leery of things fixing themselves but... I was ready to cut pin 1 to make it go CW.

I' need to go for a motorcycle ride for an hour or so just to get away from it for a bit. Will shut everything down and let you know how it works after resting for a bit.

Thanks
Mike aka groundhog

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: spindle control

« on: April 24, 2011, 03:07:56 PM »

Tweakie,
First, thanks for helping.
I checked pin #1 at the mill end of the parallel cable (cable unattached from the mill). It is high (5V) no matter what Mcode I send. Not a flutter between M3, M4 or M5.
I tried changing the Dir Pin # from 1 to 3 (which I didn't see being used anywhere) but the same thing. I wasn't sure what I am doing there so changed it back.

At least we seem to be isolating the problem towards the computer (which is bad because I'm on my second computer now)!

Any ideas from here?

PS this has been a consistent problem since I got the used mill a week ago. 2 computers, 2 on-board parallel ports and 1 pci parallel port (switched from one computer to the other), several profiles and all behaving exactly the same way.

Thanks

Mike aka groundhog

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: spindle control

« on: April 24, 2011, 08:06:45 AM »

Tweakie,

Sorry, no I don't know enough to know anything about the spindle except that is a stock Syil x4+ mill.

In manual mode (using the "buttons" on the mill itself) the spindle will run in both directions. It is just in Mach3 that I am having problems.

I am starting to suspect a loose connection or something, but haven't been able to find anything.

Any other ideas would really be appreciated. This is starting to get frustrating.

16

General Mach Discussion / spindle control

« on: April 22, 2011, 04:12:52 PM »

   Short history - I just bought a used Syil X4+ from Keith in Canada. I am using an old Dell Dimension 2400 and have installed a Rosewill parallel board (removed the on-board parallel and serial ports via the BIOS) and Mach3 (ver R3.043.022).
   What little I have tried seems to work except the spindle direction (and I think the dwell or delay). The spindle will only turn CCW. Changing the DirLowActive setting or checking/unchecking the reverse option do not make any difference. Keith has been helping me but we have not had any luck.
   I tested the cable with an ohm meter, all pins have continuity from end to end. I took a look at the wiring in the back (pushed all plug-ins to make sure they are seated). Today I added the parallel port card.
   Keith said they tested everything before it was shipped and it ran OK. He has still to send the exact *.xml file that they used to test with, but I have been using the generic file that Keith usually provides with an X4+ (I have tried a few others I found, all with the same results).
   A couple of things I notice but don't understand. When I start the spindle a lot of times I get the message "PWM bumped to minimum setting" What does that mean? The green "led" around "CV MODE" is lit. Don't know what that means either.
   With my limited knowledge in all areas covered by this forum I don't have much to reciprocate with other than my sincere thanks, but you will surely have that.

Mike aka groundhog