Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: June 02, 2011, 01:04:38 PM »

Thanks Tweakie and BR549,
basic question here. I have a screenshot of my Mach inputs config, but I don't know how to insert it into this post.

 Can't find any real instructions to upload images. Does the image have to be on a website? When I select insert image I get a piece of code that will only take a url.

I am running Windows7 32bit, version 6.1.7601

PCI ECP parallel port (LPT1) address E800-E807 (the machine works in Mill profile)

In Mach Mill-P profile the Config/ports and pins/input signals shows my Estop is enabled (checked green) on port 1 pin 16, came this way from the mfr. I do not know why this is different from Tweakie's post, the estop works, at least in Mill profile. Since I haven't been able to get the probe to move, I don't know if this is different in Mill-P profile.

In Mach Config/ports and pins/input signals my Probe is enabled on port 1 pin 10

No other inputs are enabled.

I hope I have answered all the questions.

I believe that most of my confusion is related to the disconnect between where the wires are on the Gecko and which parallel pin is assigned in Mach.

As soon as I can figure out how to post an image I will take snapshots and post them.......

thanks,

Vicrider

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: June 02, 2011, 02:56:31 AM »

  I believe I will try another solution. My suspicion is that the break signal is not getting to the Mach software.

This may be related to the installed PCi parallel port card for connecting to the Gecko, as I know the probe is behaving correctly and all the config settings are correct.

I have just found a parallel cable https://shop.msicomputer.com/App/StoreFront/ProductDetail.aspx?ID=1374  that will connect directly to my MSI motherboard (it takes a unique connector [DB25 female connector, and mini IDC 26-pin female connector]). Price - 5 bucks.

It should deliver in 3 days and I will see if that solves the issue.

Thanks everyone for your time and attention,

vicrider

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: June 02, 2011, 02:39:41 AM »

Nope, no other cable. this one came with the CNC router and the Mfr says it was tested before shipment. I have just tried pin 12; no success.

I am only using one LPT port.

24

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: June 01, 2011, 08:22:23 PM »

Hi BR,

Thanks for your time and advice.

The Probe is ON in config and set for Port 1 and Pin 10.

The only enabled inputs are Probe and Estop. Probe on pin 10 and Estop on pin 16.

However jumping pins 10 and 20 on the Parallel cable (still hooked to the computer, but disconnected from the Gecko) produces NO result in the Digitize LED.

Could my PCI parallel card be defective? The only test I have is Device Manager in Windows, which says the drivers are up to date and the device is working properly. I am able to successfully run the machine in Mill profile, I have run Gcode and engraved with the router.

Vicrider

25

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: June 01, 2011, 06:10:53 PM »

no, with the probe disconnected, there is no change in the LED for digitize when I short pin 1 to pin 12.

V.

26

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: June 01, 2011, 12:49:33 PM »

I recently got my tool setter to work and had similar issues. I needed to use a 10k pull up resistor and add +5v from a USB wire that was sacrificed for the cause. The setter ground was attached to USB ground. See attached thread for diagrams ect. http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,18390.0.html.

Hope this helps.

This morning, I double checked my connections and port settings. They are as listed by BR549's post.

I cut the probe's LED out altogether as suggested by the manufacturer. When I measure voltage across the Gecko connectors (pin 12 {grd} to pin 1 {probe} I can see the voltage change from 0 (zero) with probe at normal position, to 11.4 when the probe is moved. Still no result in Mach Diagnostics, Digitizer LED remains steady. Again, the probe appears to be working correctly.

Question, should the voltage be that high?

I have no idea where I would install a 10k resistor as shown in Craig1's post, or if it would be the proper solution.

Any other instructions/suggestions?

Thanks,

Vicrider

27

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: May 31, 2011, 11:21:44 PM »

Thanks, BR,

I may have mis-spoke regarding the pin assignment in Config. I will check again in the morning, as my brain is leakin out my ears tonite and the shop is locked up.

I appreciate your help,

Vicrider

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: May 31, 2011, 10:11:17 PM »

the Probe LED in diagnostics is lit, but if I understand correctly, it should go off and on, or flicker when the probe is moved. This does not happen.

The probe is checked green in Config with pin 1 as ground and pin 10 as input.

Vicrider

29

General Mach Discussion / Mach3, Probe, and Digitize Wizard Issue

« on: May 31, 2011, 09:33:50 PM »

I am new to this forum and to CNC.

I am running Mach3 on a clean Windows7 PC.

I have successfully run a GC file to create an engraved logo.

I have installed a digitizing probe, loaded the Probe plugin, and am running in the Probe profile.

I see an LED light on the probe light up when the probe is moved.

I have tested the probe with an ohmmeter and get a break in resistance when the probe is moved.

The probe leads are connected to Parallel Pins 1 (ground) and 10 thru a Gecko G540 (port pins, not the Gecko connections: confirmed with the manufacturer).

I have reversed and re-installed the leads, same results. Testing at the Gecko connections gives the same resistance results.

This leads me to believe the probe and its connections are performing per design.

However, when I select the Digitizing Wizard, set parameters, create and load G-Code, then select 'run cycle' I get this DRO error message 'Probe Ignore, activated at call for probe'. 

The CNC head does not move, nor will it respond to the shuttle (that's expected in Probe Profile, I think).

On the Diagnostics screen, the Digitize option is lit and does not flicker or change in response to probe movement, tho I do see the LED on the probe light up when the probe is moved.

Does anyone have any further suggestions as to how to test and/or resolve this issue? 

I have tried to give a complete description of my issue, but if I missed something please ask.

Thank you for your time and attention,

Vicrider

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parallel port for PCI bus that works with Mach3 - just passing along info

« on: May 28, 2011, 01:53:52 AM »

I am also running a Windows 7 PC that came with no Parallel Port. I installed a PCI parallel port card and like many others, got no response from the Gecko G540. My experience matched most of the other threads regarding this issue on the forum; two ports listed in Device Manager, one labeled parallel and one labeled printer. Resource addresses did not actuate the router when entered in Mach Config - Ports and Pins, and the Diagnostics screen did not indicate any active pins.

None of the suggestions in the posts were successful for me (enable one, disable the other, vice versa, check and change addresses, change BIOS - Peripherals to EPP, then ECP, then EPP and ECP, many re-boots, setting addresses in Config Pins and Ports in Mach, uninstall and reinstall Mach, etc.)

After reviewing the motherboard documentation, I noted that there was an un-used parallel port connector (labeled JLPT1) on the mainboard. After entering BIOS, and DISABLING the Peripherals - Parallel Port entirely, then re-booting, Windows 7 recognized ONLY the PCI parallel port, and assigned an address range of E800 - E807. After I entered that address (E800) in Mach - Config - Ports and Pins in Port 1, the router immediately responded to my Shuttle Express. I successfully ran a test sample GC provided by the CNC router manufacturer.

It was a two day fight, but I believe I wrestled it to the ground.

Perhaps this might be a solution for someone else to try before buying more cards or equipment. 

As a computer and software literate user, I wonder why Geckodrive has stuck to old parallel port technology? Visit any computer brick and mortar or online store and you will be hard pressed to find a desktop with an installed parallel port. Seems like migrating to USB technology would be a logical next step. An additional benefit would be the ability to move the PC farther from the work surface hazards with inexpensive USB cables rather than the more expensive Parallel cables.

I am a CNC newbie just trying to help.