Could someone let me know which settings need to be set in mach to enable me to control my plasma torch via the spindle relay on my BOB?

I'm generating g-code in sheet-cam but am not at the stage where I can test anything yet as I'm still building the table.


Thanks

Dave

You simply set up the spindle relays from Ports and Pins, Spindle Setup page. You then would go to outputs page and assign the port and pin number you are using to the output you assigned in the relays.
When you did a M3 the relay should switch on, a M5 it should switch off.
Hood

Great, that's where I have it now, should be able to start testing today hopefully

Its a bit vague, but is it permitted to power up a BOB without the motor drivers connected?

I want to test the E-stop, torch control and limits before wiring the motor drives and motors.


Dave

The BOB can be powered no problem without a drive connected but do not disconnect or connect the power from a drive when the power is live.
Hood

Great

Thanks for that

As expected, I'm not getting any torch control signal on the BOB relay.

The diagnostic screen shows no change on the pin grid when flicking the spindle motor signal on/off so it looks like mach 3 is not outputting any spindle/torch command.

Can someone run through exactly which settings to set so i get a spindle/torch "on" signal on pin 9 output please???


Thanks

Ok here are a couple of screenshots.
I have set them to Output 1 but you may wish to use a different output.
I have set OutPut1 to port 1 and pin 17 but yours will be whatever port and pin the relay is connected to.
Also note OutPut 1 is enabled (green tick)
When you command M3 from MDI or code OutPut1 should switch on, when you command M5 it should switch off.
Hood

Thanks, that's what i have but no joy.

M3 makes the Output1 flash in diagnostics but i'm getting no relay activity on the BOB, the manual states Pin9 is spindle control and i have mach set to port 1 pin 9 for O/p 1

Any other tips??

Dave

If the outpu LED is flashing that means Mach is outputting correctly so either there is a problem with your port or cable or you have the wrong port/pin set.
Easy to check if your port is outputting with a volt meter connected to pin 9 and one of the ground pins on your port. You may have to set the active state of the E-Stop to the opposite for the test as you will have the cable unplugged and to actvate the output Mach needs to be out of reset.
Hood

Pin 1 goes high with reset enabled and low when reset is red.

Pin 9 does nothing regardless of spindle setting.

Will look for another cable, this one came with the BOB.