Messages

601

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM Mach Settings

« on: May 17, 2010, 12:20:29 PM »

Don't you hate it when that happens? Glad you got it figured out...

602

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parrallel Port Help Request

« on: May 17, 2010, 09:40:28 AM »

Notebooks/laptops generally don't work well with the parallel port. All the power savings stuff messes with the processor speed which screws Mach up. If you want to use the parallel port you would be better off to start with a fresh install of Windows on the Desktop machine and do the Mach optimization: http://machsupport.com/downloads/XP_Optimization.txt

If your set on using the laptop you would be better off to look at using a SmoothStepper: http://soigeneris.com/Warp9.aspx .

603

SmoothStepper USB / Re: SS Locking up mach3

« on: May 17, 2010, 09:10:05 AM »

Are you just pressing reset in quick sucession, press-press-press-press? If so, why? I could see a situation where Mach and the SS could get out of sync if you did that. In fact I just tried it and could get a lock up on a known working SS by not having anythinh hooked up and pressing reset about 10 times in 3 seconds (But again why would one ever do that? I mean it shoudl not lock up but what does pressign Reset in rapid sucession prove?)

I have heard of folks some of the CNC4PC BOBs and VistaCNC pendants having problems with their system lock up. Have you tried running the system without the MPG?

604

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM Mach Settings

« on: May 16, 2010, 08:45:48 PM »

The G540 'output' does not actually output its own signal! It only gives you back a percentage of what you put in on Pin 7 (-) and Pin 9 (+), the percentage is based on the PWM of course. The easiest place to measure is probably between the black and white wires on the speed control which correspond to pins 7&8 on the G540. You should see the voltage change in proportion of the spindle speed. It might also be a good idea to check across pins 7&9 to see what input voltage you have.

605

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM Mach Settings

« on: May 16, 2010, 05:16:55 PM »

You do need to have the speed controller hooked up before you will get any voltage output from the G540.

606

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM Mach Settings

« on: May 16, 2010, 03:05:17 PM »

Have you tried entering S3000 into the MDI line first? I'm not sure if doing that and entering it in the speed DRO do the same thing (they 'should') but it woudl be worth trying. Can you use a volt meter and measure the voltage at the VFD output pin on the G540?

607

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM Mach Settings

« on: May 16, 2010, 02:09:35 PM »

As I understand it the PWM input on the G540 is optimized for 50 Hz. After reading through this thread again I guess I'm not sure what is not working right. Can you descibe the problems) you are seeing Dave?

608

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM Mach Settings

« on: May 16, 2010, 11:46:06 AM »

Good point Tweakie, you have to tell Mach to do something before you can test for it. You can also just issue a commanded spindle speed, say S1500, and them an MS by the MDI line...

609

Mach3 under Vista / Re: new Pc + Vista --> frequency variations in stepper

« on: May 16, 2010, 09:28:25 AM »

Have you gone through all the Mach optimizations for XP (as they apply to Vista)? Have you tried a driver test? What did it show?

I've seen some motherboards that just won't run the LPT driver correctly though.

610

General Mach Discussion / Re: PWM Mach Settings

« on: May 16, 2010, 09:25:41 AM »

Are you using your SS on the lathe? If so you'll need to set it to PWM spindle mode in the SS config screen.