I have Mach3 running a Taig Mill.

I am using a Xylotex 4 axis driver setup.

I have 5 NC Micro Switches that I need to wire to the driver board.  I have seen a bunch of information on doing this in series, but cannot find how to do this correctly with each individual switch setting off the X++, X--, Y++, Y--, and Z++ in Mach3.  I need to use the board inputs for pins 10-14 (right?) but how do I wire these up specifically?

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I cannot find the answer anywhere in these forums, and there is no applicable diagram at the xylotex site.

Thanks in advance for your help!

When running them in series you make a loop from ground threw all the switches to one input. You will only see that a limit has been hit. To know which one you have to look at the machine.

Darek

But I would like to duplicate a limit switch as a home switch and in order to do that Mach3 needs to know which switch is hit.

I believe this can be done. You make sure no axis are at home first. When you home a axis it moves to the switch, breaks the loop, then backs off the switch ready to home another axis

Darek.

Wire each Home switch individually to it's own pin. Then wire the opposite end limits in series and connect them to a 4th pin. Then, in Mach3, you tell it to use the home switches as limits.

OK, here's where I am...

I've wired five limits switches to five pins (x+ to 10, x- to 11, y+ to 12, y1 to 13, z+ to 14)
This is the schematic:

Commmon V+       
       |              
       |              
10k Resistor            
       |
       |----- pin
       |
       o
NC Limit Switch
       o
       |
Common Gnd

The above is done five times, once for each limit switch and pin.

Here are the results:
x+ (pin 10) Works Great
x-  (pin11) Works Great (doubles as home)
y+ (pin12) Works Intermittently (more below)
y-  (pin13) Works Great
z+ (pin14) Will not work at all (more below)


y+ limit switch will only work when the power to the controller board is on; but if it is closed the board will not power the motors.  Once you hit the switch (open) then the board will grab control of the motors.

z+ limit switch doesn't show anything.  I've tested the switch -OK, I've tested all of my wiring it is all OK.  I switched around inputs to verify that my wiring is good and it is.  I suppose something is messed up with pin14 somewhere on the board or in the computer but I have no idea whatsoever of where to start looking for a problem.


My temporary solution will be to use the three working pins as limit/home switches and use soft limits in Mach3 for the unwired ends. (If I can do this).

Any suggestions regarding my pin12 and pin14 problems would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again!

Pins 12 and 14 can not be used as inputs.

Brett

I take that back, 12 can be used. Seee pic.


Brett

OK I'll switch 14 and 15 and see what happens...

Post your XML. It will be Monday before I can have a look but some of the other guys may get to before then.

Brett