Messages

311

General Mach Discussion / Re: Smooth Stepper

« on: March 20, 2012, 12:11:55 AM »

Take a look through this PDF: http://www.soigeneris.com/Document/Installing_and_Configuring_the_SmoothStepper.pdf It goes though all the steps of getting the USB SmoothStepper up and running.

312

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper stops when using z-axis to throw switch

« on: March 17, 2012, 10:28:22 AM »

A snubber (or arc snubber) is an electronic component that contains a special type of capacitor and a resistor in side it. You fit it across the relay contacts and it help to keep an arc from forming when the contacts open/close. I like to use a line filter mounted close to the spindle motor as well. The line filter will keep most of the electrical noise from the motor from propagating through the system.

313

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper stops when using z-axis to throw switch

« on: March 15, 2012, 07:26:16 PM »

When the z axis is activated to trigger the #4 output using a brain, it will sometimes work. But every once in a while, the E-stop is activated when the #4 output is set back to "off".

This sounds like noise from the solenoid turning off is causing interference. When an inductive load, like a solenoid or motor, is turned on or off an electrical spike is generated which can cause problems. You can fit a snubber across the relay to reduce the noise generated.

314

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper stops when using z-axis to throw switch

« on: March 12, 2012, 10:02:49 AM »

OK, why not use an M7 or M8 (typical coolant/mist macros) to turn your solenoid on/off?

i.e.

M7
G1 X10.5 Y0
M9
G1 X15 Y0

That would be a more typical way of controlling an air blast.

Can you tell me 'exactly' what versions of Mach and the SmoothStepper plug-in you are using. The reason I keep asking is that there have been recent changes in Mach that broke compatibility with some plug-ins and you should only use the current Mach lock down version with the latest USB SmoothStepper plug-in. When the next USB SmoothStepper plug-in comes out it will be made to work with Mach .057 and higher.

315

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 mesaures per unit

« on: March 12, 2012, 09:55:31 AM »

I would suspect that your steps/unit is not set properly. If you can tell us how your machine is set up (type of stepper motor, type of leadscrew, any belt/gear reduction, type of stepper drive) then someone can help you calculate your steps/unit so you can compare it with what you are using now.

316

General Mach Discussion / Re: switch mode or linear?

« on: March 11, 2012, 08:08:07 PM »

I've never been sure why some folks think using a switch mode power supply is a bad idea. I have a 20 year old bench top mill that is still using the same switch type power supply as when it was new. I have also been building G540 based stepper drives for about three years now using a good quality switch mode supply with zero problems.

I suspect the root of the issue is that there are a lot of cheap/crappy switch type power supplies out there. There are several companies in the east that make MeanWell knockoffs. These look like the MeanWell but are usually full of cheap parts and typically will not have the longevity of a good quality unit.

For small machines a good quality switch mode supply will cost about the same as building up an unregulated supply but the switch mode will be smaller and more efficient. On larger machines it can be a significant savings to use a simple unregulated supply. (Well upfront cost might be lower but long term it can turn out to be less expensive to operate the more efficient switch mode supply.)

317

General Mach Discussion / Re: usb or ethernet smooth stepper?

« on: March 11, 2012, 08:01:35 PM »

If you have an Ethernet jack there is no reason not to go with the newer Ethernet version. I have done every type of torture test to mine I can dream up and it keeps on going.

I put together some setup information for the ESS here: http://www.soigeneris.com/Ethernet_SmoothStepper-details.aspx , most of the information in the USB manual still applies as far as the settings and such.

318

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper stops when using z-axis to throw switch

« on: March 11, 2012, 10:35:09 AM »

Jim I'm really trying to help you but you won't answer my questions. I'll try one more time:

1) What does your Output #4 do? Turn on a coolant pump, an air blast etc? If you tell us what this output does someone may be able to come up with an alternate way to accomplish the same task. For example a typical way to turn on an output would be to use GCode by issuing an M3. You can even create your own macro to turn on a custom output.

2) What version of Mach and the SmoothStepper plug-in are you using?

In general Brains can be hard to work with as they often have not worked properly from one version of Mach to the next.

319

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper stops when using z-axis to throw switch

« on: March 10, 2012, 10:30:41 PM »

But WHY are you turning on OUtput#4? What does outptu#4 do? I'm trying to understand what you are trying to accomplish.

320

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smooth stepper stops when using z-axis to throw switch

« on: March 09, 2012, 09:39:32 AM »

Can you post your brain here and the version of Mach and the SS plug-in you are using? Some things that Mach does in Brains/macros do not work well with external motion devices like the SmoothStepper. Mostly this is due to the plug-in not being told (having access to) some information from Mach. Also what are you doing with this output? There may be other ways to accomplish the same result.