Messages

71

General Mach Discussion / Re: HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!! THIS IS GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM!

« on: March 05, 2015, 08:20:46 AM »

Didn't see anything that would cause the problem so it's looking like a PP issue in the pc. The accel rates are pretty high... might want to lower them by 50%. Make sure the kernel rate in Mach is set for 25khz. Setting any higher does nothing except use up cpu time. Then run mach timing test utility to find out if the kernel speed is stable.

I am using a Dell 6400 XP and had the same problem using the parallel port to a Gecko 540. Tried everything and never found the cause. It seems Dell Optiplex systems are more prone to PP issues from what I researched. I went with a SmoothStepper ESS Ethernet to Gecko and never had the problem again. Or try another PC and see if the problem still happens.

Windows 7 Pro is overkill for cnc/mach 3 use and doesn't improve Mach performance. I would pick up a cheap used XP machine.. plenty on the market, 1 gig, gut out all necessary programs and bloatware and only use it for the cnc machine.    

72

General Mach Discussion / Re: HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!! THIS IS GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM!

« on: March 04, 2015, 04:45:17 PM »

Sounds like it's missing steps or a mech binding issue. Could be a problem with the PC parallel port voltage levels. The older XP machines the LPT ports have 5v levels. The newer pc's can have 3v LPT voltage that can cause strange results when connected to stepper drivers. Does it happen on all the axis or just one? Post your XML file and I will take a look and see if I can spot anything.

BTW... it would be nice to not get long winded and leave out unnecessary verbiage... stick to what the problem is.

73

General Mach Discussion / Re: Erratic movement after an E stop

« on: March 04, 2015, 12:12:18 PM »

If the E-stop input is configured in mach 3 and wired in series with a normally closed E-stop switch (contacts open when pushed) and the normally closed curtain gate switch, mach "reset" shouldn't clear until the external E-stop switch & curtain switch is closed. Sounds like there is something wired wrong or Mach 3's e-stop isn't configured correctly.

E-stop and safety switch must be wired in series never parallel.

74

General Mach Discussion / Re: hello, just changed computer to a windows 8.1 machine

« on: March 02, 2015, 03:26:12 PM »

Probably an issue with Win 8.1 and the USB port interrupt timing. Unless there is some compelling reason to use Windows 8.1 I would suggest not using it for Mach 3. Mach 3 runs very well under XP. Windows 8.1 is a bloated OS. There are plenty of used XP machines on the market cheap. There is no practical reason to upgrade to Windows 8.1 for running a cnc machine unless you want to watch Youtube videos or check your email at the same time.

75

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle, spindle, please turn again...

« on: March 01, 2015, 09:35:39 PM »

Not sure of what you are asking, but the VFD has to be programmed to work with the VFD's front panel controls or externally from Mach 3. The flashing red light on the drive usually indicates a stop command or E-stop is activated and that's why the drive won't run.

You can Google the VFD and get the users manual with the setup parameters.

76

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle problem... slowly decreases RPM until stop.

« on: February 27, 2015, 10:40:30 AM »

Does the SS have it's own +5 volt power supply or is it using the USB port power. The USB port may not be capable of powering the SS. There are a few postings about the PC's USB port +5v power problems with USB SS.

I have a Ethernet SS with a Gecko 540 controlling a VFD (0-10V) without issues. However, the ESS has it's own +5v supply.

77

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle problem... slowly decreases RPM until stop.

« on: February 26, 2015, 06:14:26 PM »

Gecko 540 0-10V output is voltage sinking which means it has to have a external power source... in this case the speed controller's power supply. Its a long shot but the power supply for the controller may not be capable of providing enough current for the Gecko. Could test the Gecko by using a 9v battery (Terminal 9+ and 8-) in series with a multimeter and see if the voltage drops. This will eliminate the speed controller's 0-5v.   

78

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle problem... slowly decreases RPM until stop.

« on: February 26, 2015, 01:01:49 PM »

The seller has a 800 number to call.... best bet is contact them for help. One issue I see (and it may not be an issue) is the controller is 0-5Vdc where as Mach 3, ESS and Gecko 540 are all 0-10Vdc speed references. Could be a scaling issue. What I read is this is for a DC brushless motor??   

79

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle problem... slowly decreases RPM until stop.

« on: February 26, 2015, 11:07:58 AM »

Contact the seller and ask for help. The wiring diagram shows a AC motor and connection but it's labeled as a DC motor?? The specs also state DC brushless motor control?? Which is it AC or DC?

Good Luck...

80

General Mach Discussion / Re: Spindle problem... slowly decreases RPM until stop.

« on: February 25, 2015, 08:25:31 PM »

Both are VFD specific... should be in the VFD user manual. The drive parameters have to be setup correctly. THEN the setting in Mach 3 have to be setup correctly. Just playing with the Mach setting alone will not fix the VFD problems.