This is how I have got Mach3 setup on my computer.
 
Pin 2 - X Axis Step.
Pin 3 - X Axis Dir.
Pin 4 - Y Axis Step.
Pin 5 - Y Axis Dir.
Pin 6 - Z Axis Step.
Pin 7 - Z Axis Dir.
 
As I have only put one axis on the Breadboard I am only using Pins 2 & 3.
 
LPT Pin2 - U1 Pin15.
LPT Pin3 - U2 Pin10.
LPT Pins 18-25 - Ground.
 
I have tried Sherline 1/2 pulse mode, no change that I can see.
 
I have also tried active high/low settings on the step and dir pins, also does not seem to do much.
 
As I am testing the stepper motor at 12-24volts do I still have to use a current limiter.
 
Also I am thinking maybe I have wired this stepper motor in worng.
 
The Tom McGuire driver board has the coils lists as L1, L2, L3, L4.
 
I have my stepper motor wired as follows

Reds - Power.
Black - L1.
Brown - L2.
Orange - L3.
Yellow - L4.
 
I hope this is right other wise I am going to feel like I have shot my self in the foot.

confirm that your stepper driver works first , connect stepper power supply and  take the direction pin directly to 0v , and by manualy taking the step pin to 0v ( or 5v depending on your drive logic ) you should see a small movement i.e step each time you touch the wire , this will confirm that at least your motors are working .(sticking a peice of tape on the shaft like a flag makes it easier to see movement ,  then you can work back through your breakout board doing the same at the parrell port connector , will prove your electronics

Dave

post a link to your stepper motor and driver boards or pdf's etc makes it easy for people to check for you

Dave

Thanks for your reply I will manualy pulse the driver board and see what happens.
 
All of the details for the stepper motors and driver board are on, page1, 6th post.

Best Regards.

Hi Prof,

Looking at the circuit - the enable pins 4,7,14 I am not certain if these should be left high or if they should be taken to ground.
Also pins 18-25 of the LPT should be ground on your circuit.

Tweakie.

I tested the circuit last night without being connected to a computer.
 
When powered on the stepper locks as did before, but you say this is normal.
 
I then manualy quickly pull the step pin high, and the stepper look like it tryed to move then it just go's mad buzzing, and doing things ramdom.
 
I guess it's getting some kind of noise, I have tried 2 power supplys and even a 12volt RC car battery, still the same happens.
 
I am going to go to my local maplins today and pick up some copper clad board and make up a pcb and see if I am still having the same problem.

Hi Prof,

From what I see your steppers are wired correctly and your power supply is OK as well - nothing to worry about there.

Whilst experimenting I would try this :-

Each of he step and direction pins should be held at +5V through a resistor of say 100K of so and then pulling a step pin low (0V) should produce a step (active low).

Do not connect any of your step/direction pins directly to the 12V supply or the +5V either.

Tweakie.

I have now build the full board with all three axis.
 
When the interface port is disconected from the computer it still acts strange, but once it's connected to the computer it stops acting strange.
 
I have found out that you do have to use the Enable pin on the 4028 chip, and this needs to be pulled high for the steppers to work.
 
I now have my PM55L-048, PM35L-048, and a unknown 6 wire stepper connected to the new board.
 
LPT Pin 2 - X Axis Step.
LPT Pin 3 - X Axis Dir.
LPT Pin 4 - X Axis Enable.
LPT Pin 5 - Y Axis Step.
LPT Pin 6 - Y Axis Dir.
LPT Pin 7 - Y Axis Enable.
LPT Pin 8 - Z Axis Step.
LPT Pin 9 - Z Axis Dir.
LPT Pin 14 - Z Axis Enable.
LPT Pin 18-25 - Ground.

I have noted with the PM55L-048, PM35L-048 that if they are left enabled for a few mins they get to hot to touch.
 
I am still using my bench power supply rated at 10amps and running at 12volts.
 
As thease are getting way to hot very quicky even, at 12volts  but at 10 amps, I guess I will need to use current limters, what is best to use bulbs or resistors, and how do I work out what I would need.
 
I am not sure how to setup or tune my stepper motors or if they should just plug in and work.
 
But if I go into Motor Tuning, and enter 2000 steps, Velcity 6, I can then get my stepper motors on Axis Y & Z to turn.
 
I am sure I have a problem on my X Axis as the just vibrates and does not turn at all.
 
Thanks for your time.

I have fixed the X Axis, I had a dry solder join on one of the outputs.
 
Can anyone now advice me on how I go about setting up the stepper motors?
 
Thanks for your time.
 
Best Regards.

Glad you got it working Prof.

As for setting up the motors - all the info is in the support doc. Here is a link:-

http://www.machsupport.com/docs/Mach3Mill_Install_Config.pdf

Tweakie.