Hi everyone

I got my UIRobot UIM290405A Mach3 Breakout Board from Zapp Automation Ltd - Stepper motors & Stepper Motor Drivers - Servo motors and Servo Motor Drivers - Ballscrews & linear motion products. : and am currently bench testing, before I build it into an enclosure.

The manual (http://www.zappautomation.co.uk/pdf/UIM2901%20Mach3%20BOB%20120104.pdf) is translated Chinese, I guess but is really not very clear. For example the parallel pinout diagram shows X step/dir to be pins 3/2, but later in the Mach configuration, it shows an image with it as 2/6 !!

Anyway, right now I am trying to test the PWM spindle control, which I am hoping to use to connect directly to my Seig X1 controller, replacing the pot.

I have connected it to the parallel port, and with 5v power from USB, and 12v from a lead acid battery. I also connected the 12v bettery to the spindle control Vin and 0v, then connected my multimeter to 0v and Out.

First problem:
The output voltage range was reversed. So M5 was outputting 12v! I resolved this by setting Step Low Active on my spindle in Motor Outputs in Mach3.

Second problem (no solution yet):
With M5, or even Charge pump off (E-stop) the output voltage is still 5.2v! as shown in picture. M3S2000 makes it 12v as I would expect. (2000 is max rpm).





The voltage does get controlled by Mach3, but in the range of 5-12v.

I can't use this if the lowest is 5v. My spindle will never stop. Why is it not 0-12v?

Please help Thanks

Hi Memran,

As you don't seem to be getting any response on this one try contacting Zapp directly.
I had a question (regarding the holding pulse frequency for one of their stepper drivers) last week, contacted them via their website query and received an email answer same day.

Tweakie.

Thanks, good idea