Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 25, 2013, 02:53:10 PM »

BINGO !!  Go It.
    Well I found the problem, Had nothing to do with Mach 3, the computer, the Super PID, or the BOB. Problem turned out to be the BOOB that hooked things up.
    I was reading through/searching the Super PID thread over on the cnc zone. Read about computers using pwm output and only outputting 3.3v being a problem with S-PID version 1.  So Roman came up with a converter to fix the problem that could be purchased from S-PID for 5 bucks.
    For S-PID version 2 (which is what I have), the converter circuit is built into the S-PID. Sounds like the problem I have has been found & fixed a long time ago, wonder why it isn't working for me? Then I read a post where a guy was using pwm & a switch to use the pot as an option, (which is what I'm attempting to do as well), and he posted a pic of his wiring. Something about it looked different than mine so I looked closer. Well when I checked my wiring I found I had wired for switching between pot and 0 -5v instead of wiring for switching between pot and pwm as I should have, DUH ! 
    Both set ups are shown on the same page of the Super PID "advanced connections" docs and I musta had a brain fart and followed the wrong one. I rewired the Super-PID correctly and I must say , it is SUPER. Mach 3 spindle pulleys at 0 min and 30,000 max and the commanded speed and actual speed are less than 50 rpm apart anywhere in the 5,000 to 30,000 range.  Why that's SUPER !
    This isn't my first mistake and surely not the last. Thought I needed to post this so folks would know Mach3 and the Super - PID work together GREAT,,,,,,,,if ya hook'em up right.

                     Rick   

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 24, 2013, 07:44:53 PM »

Kinda seems I did check voltage when on the S-PID because the 3.7 vdc was coming directly from the P port and 0 vcc (ground) was directly from the computer case.             Still seems strange to me though, I thought computer power supplies were pretty tightly regulated. My very limited knowledge would make me think I should have found either 5v or 3.3v Is it a "low" 5v or a "hi" 3.3x ? I thought most pp outputs basically have 2 voltages, so makes for an out with 2 states, on/off , hi/low. But this pwm output is a variable voltage signal if I'm understanding this right, Would that make a difference in it's max voltage out ?
    I guess my next question is, is there a way to convert / transform or amplify this 3.7v max to 5v max variable voltage ? Come on computer and electronics guys/gals, I need help Please !



                             Thanks, Rick

13

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 24, 2013, 12:58:47 PM »

Hi Mike,
    If my pc is 3.3 on the pp I understand that the output to the S-PID would be low because I'm bypassing the BOB to get it there. But the 3.7 I found on the direction out from BOB was after going through the BOB. So are you thinking my BOB not "boosting" the dir out to 5 vdc is just another sign this BOB is crap?
    The computer I'm using isn't newish by any means. Is there a way to go to "my computer" or something like that in Windos XP and see the pp output voltage?

                Thanks for your help.  Rick

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 24, 2013, 12:30:22 PM »

Ok folks,
    I have some new info to post. When checking voltage as Val & Roman of Super PID asked, here is what I found. When the S-PID is under manual control via the speed pot, (where it works perfect), the voltage is 0 -4.8 vdc. When under Mach 3 control via pwm output the voltage is 0 - 3.7 vdc. Obviously the S-PID isn't the problem, it's Mach 3 or the computer running it.
    I'm thinking the computer. When I was sorting out getting my Panasonic servo drives and Mach 3 to play together I found the direction signal from the computer was this same 0 or 3.7 vdc. But this signal was good enough for the drives after feeding it to the Scorpion differential output board which outputs both 0 and 5 vdc from a separate 5 vdc power supply.
    Before I checked & found direction signal at 3.7 I was told by Hood I should get either 0 or 5 vdc depending on direction command from the computer. As I said, the 3.7 seems to be fine for direction thanks to the Scorpion but it isn't fine for the pwm input to the Super PID.
    Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to why my computer only puts out 3.7 vdc instead of the expected 5 vdc ?

             Thanks in advance,  Rick

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 23, 2013, 07:29:49 AM »

Yes Brett,
    Just one pp in my set-up and 25khz kernel speed.

   Rick

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 23, 2013, 06:37:32 AM »

Thanks Brett,
    I can assure you it isn't a false claim, but I'm trying to soak up as much as I can. Val from Super PID has responded and Roman wants me to check voltage on the pwm output and report back, I will do so as soon as I get the time. They also suggested maybe a Mach 3 setting limiting rpm? They aren't Mach guys so I'm asking here. I'm still using Mach 3 in demo mode because my machine isn't finished yet, does demo limit rpm ?

                                 Rick

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 22, 2013, 08:41:48 PM »

Thanks Brett,
    My funky BOB got helped/improved a bunch thanks to the Scorpion differential output board, . Now I think I've found a way to get the pwm signal from Mach 3 through the BOB and still have the remaining 2 relay outs for vacuum , coolant , etc.
          Rick

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 22, 2013, 06:47:34 PM »

Hey TOTALLYRC,
    I haven't posted anymore because it didn't look like this thread had any interest. I had to "map out" the BOB on my own as no info is to be had. I found pp pins 2-9 as step/direction for 4 axises, and 14,16 &17 are the relay outputs that are seen at top of BOB. PP pin 1 is in the db25 header on the BOB and soldered on backside of BOB, but I looked at the BOB with a bright light, through the BOB from both sides, and there are no traces at db25 pin 1 on the BOB. It is a unused and therefore Wasted possible output pin from Mach 3.
    I soldered a wire on pin 1 under BOB and used that as the pwm output from Mach 3 to the Super PID. The Super PID instructions say it can take input directly from the pp because it has optoisolation separating the control and mains. I now have Mach 3 totally controlling the Rotozip like a "real" machine tool spindle, M3 or M4 turns it on, M5 turns it off, add in an S(insert rpm here) and the Super PID & Rotozip deliver commanded rpm.
    I'm a pretty happy camper, , I do have one small problem to work out though. If I turn the zip on manually with the toggle and use the pot for speed control I get 5,000 - 30,020 or sometimes a little more (30,200). But when under Mach 3 speed control the zip maxes out at 24,200 no matter what numbers I put in the spindle pulley config of Mach 3. I started with 0 and 30,000 ,  tried dozens of other upper end numbers and never got above 24,200 rpm on the rotozip. I finally setteled for now on 0 and 23,350 because that gives the best correlation between commanded and actual rpm, pretty good actually right up to 24,000 rpm but any commanded rpm above only gets 24,200.
    I more than likely won't want to run my spindle above 24,200 anyhow so I don't really see it as big deal because Mach3 speed control works great from 5,000 to 24,000 rpm. I have just sent an email to Super PID tech support explaining my set up and results. Time will tell if they have any idea what's going on.
    I thought this post might be helpful to someone else as I SURLEY can't be the only one who ever got one of these oddball BOB's. Maybe I'm just the only one stubborn enough,(dumb) to find a way to use it.

                            Rick
    

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 15, 2013, 09:17:58 PM »

Don't know how I only got half a BOB in that last post ?

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3, Super PID & Rotozip

« on: May 15, 2013, 08:52:20 PM »

    Ok, so far so good. My BOB has 3 relays, I each at output 14,16 & 17. I went to config>ports and pins>spindle set-up,    took the check from "disable spindle relays", set both M03 & M04 to output 1.
    Then go to outputs tab, enable output 1 ,port 1. pin 14. Save and apply as needed along the way. Ran the PID start circuit through a set of N.O. contacts on the relay at output 14 on the BOB and PRESTO ! Router turns on and off through Mach 3 commands, Pretty cool.
    Now here's where I'm stuck, I want to control speed through Mach 3 as well but the only 2 outputs I see left on my BOB are both connected to relays just like 14 that I'm using for spindle ON/OFF control, How do I get the PWM signal from Mach 3 through or around this BOB and get it to the Super PID ?

     
thanks, Rick