Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Unidirectional creep - help

« on: September 06, 2023, 08:33:24 AM »

Never in the years I've used mach3 have I had this issue and not been able to solve it!

Currently I'm trying to run a simple engraver from mach3 via a parallel port to save a friend some cash.

Setup: generic mach3 breakout board, dm556 drive and a nema 23 stepper online Motor.  This is a belt drive machine and the axis I'm having issues with is the y

So far, I've tried every suggested on this forum with no luck, the only thing that works is attaching a uc100 motion controller.  Solves it instantly.

I've tried 2 cheap boards, a spare hg08 board, a cheap usb CNC board. Nothing changes.  I've tried 3 parallel port computers, nope.  Usb port on a laptop and a usb breakout board, nope.

Tried 4 different drivers.
Tried separate power supplies for every component.  Tried earthing a single side of the shielding on all control and motor cables.

Tried changing active low etc in ports and pins, nope.

Go back to parallel port and it's back, the dial indicator on the first movement being correct and as I move back and forward what was 5mm becomes, 4.89, 4.71 and the 0 point grows in one direction as well .

I get perfect movement with a motion controller and I don't know why and its driving me nuts!!

Help, anyone!

2

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Conect Cadet Plus Lathe upgrade with tool changer

« on: October 12, 2015, 08:15:16 AM »

I have managed to pick up a new machine last month which will be my next project.  Conect Cadet Plus CNC Lathe



I had good success with the Conect 121 and hopefully i can get this one done fairly quickly. 

The model i managed to get has a automatic tool changer which i believe is very similar to the emco tool changers.  It uses a 24v motor (i think).  The motors plastic housing is broken and rather than try to make it work with the standard motor again i will be using a nema 17 stepper motor.  This seem to have worked for people in the past but i will need to figure out how to control it via mach.

The machine is in very good condition and jogs around haply.  Unfortunately the drivers etc are incompatible with any upgrades so they will be removed and replaced with the CNC4YOU digital drivers and HGO8 Bob which i have used before.  I am hoping to retain the power supply and the spindle board that the machine came with.



The spindle board is the biggest mystery, 

ASHE Controls board FX 1500





I have read that this board will accept a PWM signal but that it has to be optically isolated.  I didnt get far with controlling the KBIC controller from mach but i want to try and make this board work in order to save some cash.  If anyone has any info on this board or a way to wire it to my bob without frying everything let me know!  It would be much appreciated.  I have ordered one of the DIYCNC spindle boards which may be usable but i don't know exactly how to wire everything up.

Hopefully will make some progress this week, main thing is figuring out how to connect the spindle board to mach3.

3

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Conect 121 cnc retrofit

« on: February 04, 2015, 06:20:35 PM »

Hi folks,

Have manged to find a nice little conect 121 cnc lathe locally and I'm looking forward to my first cnc refit.  This will be a small lathe for my dad to play with in his retirement.

I'm literally learning as I go with this project and it's going to be a budget build.  I have got a nice orac hidden at the rear of the workshop which will be my project but the conect will be a good starting point.

I haven't got the machine home yet but I will get some pictures up, it is the same model "hood" has covered in the past.  I am going to try and keep the origonal motors and the DC spindle motor.  Don't have the motor specs yet but I'm hoping they will be on the motor as i can't find much on it online.  I have read that there are KB boards which will allow me to use the DC motor and possibly control it from Mach. 

If anyone has experience  with this motor type and running it with a speed controller please let me know how you did it.