Messages

231

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper USB and z axis

« on: December 09, 2012, 10:10:35 PM »

A ferrite core will often help. The problem can also be noise getting back into the PC. I have a small fluorescent light above a workbench in my shop. If I turn it on/off it creates a large enough spike on the mains that it causes a spike on the DC power of the PC's USB ports. The USB keyboard/mouse will cut out briefly and the SmoothStepper will also drop out. I put a line filter before the PC/stepper control box and power the SmoothStepper with an external 5V power supply. If you have a scope you can take a look at the 5V on your USB ports and see if there is a problem.

232

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper USB and z axis

« on: December 09, 2012, 09:40:05 PM »

My suspicion is that something is wrong with your Z-axis drive that is causing enough noise to swamp the USB communication. The 'External E-Stop requested' message happens when the SmoothStepper is running out of data, if it sees the buffer is running low it will ask Mach to go into EStop mode. Setting the Controller frequency and axis frequencies properly will give you the largest buffer size you need for your set up (last page of PDF). If the problem is noise you are going to have to find the source of the problem.

You can try swapping the Z axis stepper motor for another one, in other words at the drive swap the wires going to to the X and Z axis. If the problem now occurs with X axis motor you know it is in the drive (the Z drive). Make sense?

233

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper USB and z axis

« on: December 09, 2012, 09:08:49 PM »

Does it say "External EStop Requested" in the status line in Mach? If that is the case you just might need to adjust some of the SmoothStepper settings. Take a look here: http://www.soigeneris.com/documentation-content.aspx . Go to teh SmoothStepper section and downlaod the installatiuon tips PDF.

234

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper USB and z axis

« on: December 09, 2012, 02:03:48 PM »

The SS does get reflashed each time you start Mach3.

I'm not sure what pins you are referring to on the SS being shorted. A resistor is usually only damaged by too much current, the SS board can't supply enough current through the outputs to cause damage like that though. If there were a short on the SS board, or something was wired wrong, etc then it may be possible. The best thing to do is contact Greg at Warp9 and send the board back. He will take a look at it and repair it.

235

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper USB and z axis

« on: December 09, 2012, 01:38:39 PM »

I am fairly certain that the SS did not damage your dirver. It simply cannot source enough current to do any damage. Sounds like you have a flakey drive.

236

Promote and discuss your product / Re: Five year anniversary contest from Soigeneris.com

« on: December 09, 2012, 10:08:09 AM »

The results are in from the first week of our contest. The winners are:

Alex Wiebe, Canada
Dan Pines, Israel

Congratulations Alex and Dan, an email has been sent to both of you with your code to receive $50 off your Soigeneris.com order.

The second week of the contest is now open, if you did not win previously you are eligible to enter again. Same rules as before.

Good luck to everyone in this week's contest.

237

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper USB and z axis

« on: December 08, 2012, 07:03:43 PM »

Typically a stepper motor that starts going one direction only is a result of a broken wire in the stepper cable or a bad wire in the SmoothStepper cable. If you swap the Z-axis and X-axis motors, at the stepper drive, does the problem stay the same of change axis?

238

Promote and discuss your product / Re: Five year anniversary contest from Soigeneris.com

« on: December 04, 2012, 12:30:28 PM »

Thanks guys

239

General Mach Discussion / Re: Windows 7 with 64bit

« on: December 04, 2012, 12:24:59 PM »

The SmoothSteppers are designed and built in the USA 

I ship them all over the world. Shiiping by USPS will cost about $18 and take about two weeks for delivery.

240

Promote and discuss your product / Five year anniversary contest from Soigeneris.com

« on: December 01, 2012, 02:19:30 PM »

Hello everyone,

We are nearing our five year anniversary and it is the holiday season so what better time to celebrate and give some stuff away! To help celebrate we will be holding a contest during the month of December 2012. Entering is easy and no purchase is necessary.

For the month of December 2012 we will be holding a drawing each week and giving away two $50 gift certificates for Soigeneris.com. We will draw two names out of a hat on Sunday from all entries the previous week (so we will draw on December 9, 16, 23, and 30).

Entering is easy. Go to http://www.soigeneris.com and take note of one of the items that are displayed on the front page. Then send an email to birt_j@soigeneris.com and tell me the name of one of the items you saw displayed on the front page. In the subject line please include the word ‘Contest’ (this will automatically sort the email into the correct folder) and include your full name and address. I will not be divulging, in any way, your personal information to anyone. The reason I’m asking for this information to verify that a real person, not a computer program, is sending in the entry. One entry per person per week is allowed and you may only win once. Pass the word around to your friends. Everyone is welcome to enter.

Please nobody try to spam me with multiple entries. I want this to remain fun and fair for everyone.

Good luck to everyone!

Jeff Birt
Soigeneris.com