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Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« on: January 29, 2007, 10:29:14 AM »
Hello,

I'm new to CNC and desparately trying to set up my motors etc. I downloaded Mach3 and have been playing around with it. I have a db25 cable hooked up to my parallel port with a breakout on the end. I have no motors hooked up yet. In manual mode in Mach 3 I can "move" the x,y,and z with the arrow keys for example. Shouldn't I see fluctuations in the voltage on the various pins on my breakout? If not why not? If I should be seeing this but am not, what am I doing wrong? Thanks.

Cristobal

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Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2007, 10:41:27 AM »
Hey Cristobal,
     Are you using a straight thru DB 25 cable? Not a printer cable. Tell us more about your breakout board, set up and post your xml. Post any links or documents that may help.

Brett
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Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2007, 10:51:18 AM »
Yes it is a straight thru DB 25 cable.  The breakout board couldn't be much simpler- it just has a 18 (+ gnd) places corresponding to the pins where you can shove in a wire and hold it in place by tightening a screw.  I thought I could put my ground multimeter probe on one of the ground pins, my red multimeter probe on say pin3 and then watch the voltage change as I fiddle with the x axis.

You ask me to post my xml.  I don't know what that means.  Sorry.

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Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2007, 11:10:04 AM »
Hey Cristobal,
    Your xml is in your mach folder. They will be Mach3mill xml, Mach3 turn, etc. Are you setting up a mill? They will be in your Mach folder. Here is how I get to mine. Start, rightclick on my computer, C, Mach3. To attach them go to the full reply page and you will see a button for advanced options, use that to attach the files by browsing to your Mach folders and selecting the Mach3Mill.xml if that is the one you are using.

Brett
« Last Edit: January 29, 2007, 11:11:40 AM by Chaoticone »
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My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!

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Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2007, 11:23:12 AM »
Cristobal, I have sent you a personal message.


Brett
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!
Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2007, 11:39:09 AM »
Am I setting up a mill?  Well I'm many steps away from that.  I'm just trying to set up my stepper driver.  I'm just trying to get to the point where I can turn my motors by clicking on the arrows in Mach3.  That's it.  I'm just making sure the signals are passing from Mach3 to my parallel cable.  Can I test this with a multimeter?

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Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2007, 11:49:47 AM »
Yes, you should be able to test that with a meter.


Brett
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!
Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2007, 11:51:39 AM »
Here's my xml
Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2007, 12:02:34 PM »
You will be able to see your direction pin changing easier than the step pin. The step will be a fast pulse.

Darek
Re: Testing parallel port output with a multimeter
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2007, 12:14:14 PM »
Yeah still getting nothing.  Just a constant 5V.