Messages

641

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3/computer freezing during operation

« on: March 09, 2010, 03:29:53 PM »

You can get an idea if it is spindle motor noise causing the problem by 'air cutting' something with the spindle off. If you can run without problems like that then it is likely a motor noise issue. If you still have problems then it is something else (could be both as well).

642

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3/computer freezing during operation

« on: March 09, 2010, 02:26:49 PM »

I like to recommend a line filter on spindle motors to keep the electrical noise they generate from getting back into the control and PC and causing problems. I carry a 10A unit here: http://soigeneris.com/cncparts2.aspx , if your spindle motor draws more than 10A you should be able to find a similar unit with a higher current rating. Also, if your switching you spindle with a relay you should install an arc suppressor across the relay contacts.

643

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smooth stepper loses com. when spindle button pressed or M03 S given

« on: March 05, 2010, 04:43:56 PM »

The problem is noise created by the spindle motor when it turns on and probably some relay arcing as well. You should install a line filter as close to the spindle motor as possible: http://soigeneris.com/cncparts2.aspx (bottom right). (Send me a PM about the relay arcing.)

Please note: This is not a 'SmoothStepper' problem per se, it is an electrical noise problem. With the SmoothStepper you will know right away when you have a problem like this, when running from the parallel port electrical noise will present itself a bit differently (like, "Mach did this weird thing today and I had to reboot to get it to run again" .)

644

General Mach Discussion / Re: Encoders, steppers and mach

« on: March 03, 2010, 09:34:12 AM »

so if there was wheel slip i think it should have compensated for it?? So with my stepper system can i do this? am i right in saying mach would support encoders and would correct the position of the gantry according to the encoders rather than by the number of steps???

No, mach cannot do this directly. You would need an external motion control board (kflop, Galil, etc) that can run steppers in a closed loop fashion.

Not really on mach but the other question i have is about the steppers themselves, they are rated to take 90vdc, am i right in saying when you rectify an ac voltage it is reduced? Also can i over supply my steppers with voltage by a little and still not kill them? Im just wondering if i can rectify the 110vac in the shop and run the motors from it to save having a transformer?

Two things:

1) The voltage rating on steppers indicated the constant DC voltage that can be applied to the coils to achieve the rated current. Generally steppers are driven with a voltage many times higher and the current is controlled to the rated amount. If your steppers really have a 90V rating you'll have a tough time finding a driver to handle even that voltage let alone anythign higher.

2) NEVER, I repeat NEVER, try to build a DC power supply without a transformer. The transformer not only can step the output voltage up/down it also provides isolation from the mains voltage. Without this isolation you libel to kill yourself (no kidding). Not trying to preach, just don't want to see you get hurt.

645

SmoothStepper USB / Re: smoothstepper install triggers error in mach

« on: March 02, 2010, 09:28:18 AM »

The proper proceedure is:

(first delte any SS profile you have created)

1) Clone your existing profile
2) Start Mach with that profile then select 'Function Cfg's->Reset Dev Sel...', close down the dialog that pops up
3) Close mach and restart with the new profile, it will give you the License OK screen and then ask you to select a Motion control device, Select the SS, tell it not to ask you again.
4) Close/restart Mach one more time to save these settings.

646

SmoothStepper USB / Re: re smooth stepper and no outputs on lpt2

« on: March 01, 2010, 09:29:22 AM »

Just to be clear, the BOB had the Port 2, pins 2-9 hard wired as inputs, right?

Is this the post you were looking for?

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13762.msg90877.html#msg90877

647

SmoothStepper USB / Re: re smooth stepper and no outputs on lpt2

« on: February 28, 2010, 03:32:16 PM »

What was your fix? Somebody may be searching for the same answer in the future...

648

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper loses communication when limit is triggered

« on: February 24, 2010, 02:18:16 PM »

The charge-pump IS NOT a safety device. There is no guarantee that when a charge pump signal is present (whether through Mach's LPT drive or the SS) that the PC or SmoothStepper is functioning properly. The Charge-Pump signal was implemented for the parallel port so that devices hooked to it did not jump as a PC was being turned on/off and the LPT pins were in an unknown state. It is only a signal that says, 'Hey mach is not running and controlling this port.'. It is an 'Enable,' but it is not a safety. It would be fine to use for an enable line, in other words the charge pump signal has to be present before certain things can turn on, but just don't depend on it to turn the power to things off in case of emergency.

649

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper loses communication when limit is triggered

« on: February 24, 2010, 12:20:41 PM »

Look in the main configuration screen in the upper middle section. There is a checkbox for 'Keep charge pump on in Estop'.

650

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Smoothstepper loses communication when limit is triggered

« on: February 23, 2010, 11:45:54 AM »

An E-stop even and a limit even are two seperate things. Your limit swithces should not be part of your E-Stop chain. My suggestion is to just let Mach handle the limits by ceasing sending out stepping commands, etc. Then you can use Mach's built in functionality to allow you to only jog in the correct direction to get off of the limit.