I have a homemade cnc router with 3 axis. Breakout board connected to parallel port via 25 pin cables (two cables connected as adaptors). I set ports and pins correctly(I really believe this). When I hit any jog button (+x, -x, +z, etc.) no motor actually turns but I hear it turn. When I hit the +y nothing happens. When I hit the -y in Mach3 it rings constantly until I hit the +y and it shuts off. Sound familiar to anyone?

Jon

Sounds like you may have the motor tuning way off , have yolu calculated the steps per unit correctly? Try setting the Velocity and Acceleration low and work your way up.
Hood

Thanks for the insight. I switched out the dual cables for 1 cable and a female/female adaptor to fit my breakout board. I restarted the computer while the the board was powered and plugged into the parallel port. This time the motors stayed locked long enough for me to move the z up and down. I tried switching the ports/pins for the other axis', thinking they were incorrect, and the motors turned off/unlocked. I had no control over z anymore, let alone any other axis. I feel i am getting closer to a solution but could use more insight, please. Thanks!

Jon

What breakout board do you have?
What drives do you use?
Did you build it yourself?
Sounds like you are just needing to configure things correctly in Mach.
Hood

I have the TB6560, 3 axis driver board. Desktop pc 512G Ram, using Mach3. Homebuilt CNC, gantry-type router, 400 oz. steppers, full stepping. I was thinking about buying a smooth stepper to plug into USB.

Jon

Do you have a link to documentation for the driver? Also worth checking that your port cable is straight through rather than a crossover.

Hood

I figured it out. Sometimes it is a good idea to explore the program yourself rather than relying on the people who sell you the equipment. I asked the seller if I needed to adjust the output signals(which was the problem) and he said "no need to". What I did was turn on some output signals in mach3 and it worked. Thanks for the help!

Jon

Good you got it
Hood