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Messages - rndpig

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11
Thanks for the input. Ideally, I'd like to spend no more than an additional $300 to find a Mach4-compatible motion controller and stepper drivers, and the suggestions that have been put forth in this thread certainly fit the bill. I'm lucky to have a friend close-by who is an actual engineer (unlike me, I'm a biologist), and he's going to review the thread and help me work toward a good solution here.

I just want to state once more how impressed I am with the liveliness of members of this forum. This is highly encouraging for a newbie like me, and I look forward to contributing back ASAP.

12
Okay, I had the sense you were good at this, but now I feel silly for posting my problems! I've been digging through the specs on all components in the electronics enclosure I received, and attached is a photo of everything. Looking up the JP-1635A board suggests that's the stepper for my 4th axis (A), which means that the JP-3163B must be both the motion controller and stepper driver, correct? Apart from the 24V power supply and spindle controller, there's nothing else in the box. While I'm not as competent as this individual (https://hackaday.io/project/6776-3040-cnc-milling-machine-mods/log/20946-day-1), I'm thinking about modifying my case to receive the replacement PMDX or PoKeys board and leave everything else as-is. Do you think that would work?

13
RBeaubien - so what components did you ultimately go with? For the price I paid, I had no expectations that this 6040 would work outright, and while there were electronics inside, I have no issue with replacing components to build a nice hobby CNC.

14
Thanks for that, but other feedback about this hobby CNC suggests the stepper drive will eventually disappoint me as well. Thus, if a higher quality, all-in-one motion controller and stepper drive option is available, that sounds like a good solution here. Just to confirm, would either the PMDX or PoKeys solutions be all that I need? My task would then be to remove the existing boards and re-configure with the new board, correct? Is that something that a newbie like me can handle?

15
Wow, you were both fast on the response; thank you. I'm still getting up to speed on the terminology, so hopefully, I didn't misspeak. The second board in the case is a JP-1635A (see attached), so perhaps that's the motion controller and the JP-3163B is the stepper drive?

Through projects at work, I've had experience with Pokeys boards, and it appears to be a cheap solution with good customer support. I hadn't seen the PDMX-424, but it also looks like a good solution. Considering Mach4 is the future, I felt it was pertinent to go with this version over Mach3. Am I hearing that it would be best for me to replace both the motion control and stepper drive boards for better options that are guaranteed to work with Mach4?

16
Mach4 General Discussion / controlling JP-3163B in 6040T USB CNC with Mach4
« on: December 27, 2017, 11:44:33 AM »
Hello, I'm completely new to the CNC realm, but I'm excited that there's such a robust community here. I did like many newbies and I purchased a CNC from China (here's the eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/4Axis-6040T-CNC-Router-Engraver-USB-Engraving-Drilling-Milling-Machine-3D-Cutter/192358600143?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649). This is labeled as a 6040T USB CNC. I've been able to perform basic controlling operations using the Planet-CNC USB motion controller software, which means there's a working USB driver installed. What I need help with now is getting Mach4 working to control the board.

I've purchased a Mach4 Hobby license, and my Mach4Mill settings profile is attached. I know the controller (labeled as JP-3163B) is junk, but I want to ensure I can competantly control the CNC with Mach4 before investing in a Gecko 540 controller. Could someone please help me diagnose why Mach4 isn't allowing me to control the motors? Below is an image of the control board, where you can see the jumper settings. When I power on the unit, I can hear it lock and when accessing via the Planet-CNC USB software, I have full control, but nothing is moving/changing when I use Mach4.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

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