Messages

41

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: July 22, 2011, 10:03:07 AM »

Hi Guys
Thanks for your help much appreciated but now I may have another problem.
I bought the Gecko G540 driver and another second hand computer.
Regarding the computer, it did not have a parallel printer port so the dealer fitted one for me.

The initial installation instructions for the G540 say that the printer port must be set to EPP. I can't see anything in the BIOS that refers to the parallel printer port, I guess that's because it's not integral, don't know?
In device manager/ ports I can see PCI-ECP installed using LTP3. So this suggests it's ECP and I can't see any way to configure it to EPP.

So my question is, is this PCI board any good or is there a way to reconfigure it?

I did not think getting cnc working was going to be so difficult and time consumming, I just hope this is the last hurdle to over come.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about computers etc.

Any advice very much appreciated.

Cheers
Nigel

42

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 29, 2011, 12:45:06 AM »

Hi Guys
Thanks for your help.
I work allot in Singapore and have a small sherline mill & lathe there but in the UK (home) I have a full size shop.
I want to use my time while in Singapore to learn cnc.

I am thinking I will put this cnc controller to one side for now and sort it later.
I am considering getting a Gecko G540 4 axis drive which is all encompassing, that's my only concern everything is in one unit so any problem the whole thing will need replacing. The reason I am considering this one is that it's available ex stock in Singapore and is rated for my motors at 3.5 A.
I guess I can use my existing power supply as presumably this is rated to suite my motors, the power supply is 24volt, 10A. The motors are 4 wire, don't know if that's bad as from what I have seem 8 wire is usually recommended with the coils connected in parallel?

Hopefully this will get me going fairly quick, just need to find another used computer as well.

On the original controller the BoB is very basic, just terminals, a couple of capacitors and resistors, allot different to the cnc4pc you showed me. I will replace the BoB for a cnc4pc as you suggested and replace the assumed defective driver and try it out later.

The cheap Chinese route I have taken has wasted time and money so far, maybe I have just been unlucky.

Cheers
Nigel

43

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 27, 2011, 06:26:49 PM »

Thanks Tweakie
I will checkout the wiring.
Any motor connected to the y axis contoller does not run smoothly and makes a squealing noise when running, this combined with 2 dead computers in a row makes me suspect the y axis driver or maybe the wiring to/from the driver?
At the moment I know nothing much about the electrical side of what I am trying to do, and northing out electrics generally.
I was wondering if I could change to breakout board in the unit for a better one that protects the computer?

Cheers
Nigel

44

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 27, 2011, 09:28:34 AM »

Hi
The controller was an ebay purchase complete with motors etc.
Here is a link to the item.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-axis-CNC-conversion-system-Sherline-mill-lathe-motor-/260507682605?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ca777c72d


Cheers
Nigel

45

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 26, 2011, 05:58:29 PM »

Hi Hood
Ye, I did not think mach3 could do such damage.
My y axis drive seems to have a fault, the stepper runs very rough and screams a bit so I am using the 4th axis driver for my y axis however, the y axis driver is still powered up and wired to the printer port.
Hmm, maybe I should have disconnected it.

Cheers again
Nigel

46

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 26, 2011, 05:29:06 PM »

Hi Hood
I did have a visual look at the mother board etc and could not see anything unusual, I give you suggestion a try and see. I don't know anything about computers but I guess I can't make things much worst.

Seems strange for similar problem with 2 computers after running mach3 only a few times, 4 or 5 times infact.

Do you recon it has nothing to do with mach 3?
Could it be anything to do with the stepper drivers connected to the printerr port?

With 1000's mach users I guess this must be highly unusual.

Thanks again
Nigel

47

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 26, 2011, 05:10:21 PM »

Hi
Thanks for your reply
When starting the keyboard and mouse flash momentarily, then no video output, no power to the mouse and presumably the key board, just will not boot up. Lightb is on, fans running.

When problems started with the first computer it was the same but would reboot after a few goes but after a few starts ups like this completely dead.

Thanks
Nigel

48

General Mach Discussion / Computer problem after running mach3

« on: June 26, 2011, 04:39:00 PM »

Hi
I am trying to convert my mill to cnc but have a problem with computers.
Computer 1 - loaded mach 3, got the steppers working in toggle mode OK, then started to have problems starting my computer after shut down, took 3 or 4 goes each time than nothing.
Computer 2 - again got my steppers working, connected up the limit switches, when trying to jog but got a long message ,words to the effect, " motors can not operate because possibly a limit witch is activated", which was strange as I had not enables the switches, then mach 3 locked up, I shut down my computer, since then it will not reboot.


I bought the computer second hand, the dealer replaced the first computer with the second computer, both had been thoroughly tested by the dealer.
This is all in a few days, both used xp home edition.

Can this be a coincidence?
What can be the problem?
I am not sure it's fair to take this second computer back to the dealer , I am reluctant to spend money on yet another computer.

Anyone had similar problems?
Any suggestions or help appreciated
Thanks
Nigel