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Motors keep adding steps
« on: March 08, 2018, 07:28:33 AM »
Obviously new to this but I have been trying to understand it all.  I am at the got road runner to load and cycle though the program stage but the machine appears to be adding steps for all three axis.  I did use the calibration and it is moving the proper distance through that, but it does not fix the problem.  It just keeps working diagonally up to the corner, way off the piece.

 It's been a long process to get this up and running.  I bought an eBay CNC machine that ended up having a bad breakout board.  I put a new board in and wired it (after lots of videos) and it seems to do everything it should but when I actually run it, it trails off.  I have most likely done something I shouldn't have but can't figure it out.  As my father would say "I don't even know, what I don't know".

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2018, 03:31:07 PM »
After watching programs run it appears that it is not completing steps. Several times the motors are not moving when they should be.  When the next line of code starts it is not in the right position for that line. Not sure how to fix that.

Any help would be appreciated.
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2018, 05:46:08 PM »
If the DROs are moving and the motors are not moving but making a grinding kind of noise then you are loosing steps. Try reducing the velocity and the acceleration on the motor tuning page by 50% and try again.


Mike
We never have the time or money to do it right the first time, but we somehow manage to do it twice and then spend the money to get it right.
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2018, 08:17:36 PM »
Thanks for the response.  The motors are not grinding and jog just fine.  I just slowed the acceleration and velocity down with no change in the problem.  It seems to not move in the negative direction while running gcode.  I end up with my z axis all the way up and the xy diagonally off the work piece. 
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2018, 09:06:35 PM »
Hi,
are you using a parallel port? Is it possible that your BoB is expecting 5V but your PC is producing 3.3V.
It does happen and some BoBs dont respond properly.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2018, 09:27:28 PM »
Adding to what Joes is saying, if the direction change is seen by the driver every time it goes high, you would end up with what you describe.
The other possibility is that you have the step and direction set to active high when they are expecting active low. Thiscan be changed andtried on the ports and pins page.

Mike
We never have the time or money to do it right the first time, but we somehow manage to do it twice and then spend the money to get it right.
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2018, 09:05:22 AM »
Finally got a chance to try some things with no change in problem.  The motors won't move if I uncheck the active lows in the ports and pins.   The set up I followed was for my Bob.  It is a cheapo sainsmart 5 axis.   Joe's, how would I determine what my volts are?  My parralel port card is new and I specifically checked to see if it was 5V when I bought it but did not test it. There is a 5v indicator light on the breakout board that is lit but seems dim.

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Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2018, 11:40:52 AM »
Connect a multimeter between an axis Direction Pin and GND. When jogging that axis in one direction you should get approx. 5Volts and in the other direction approx. 0Volts.

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2018, 09:46:18 PM »
Yep, 3.3 volts.  The Bob has a USB input for power and is hooked up but does not seem to be doing anything.  Any suggestions.  At this point I don't know where to go.  Another new parralel card? Diagnostic for the usb?  Separate power source to a better Breakout board?  I'm open.  Just want to get this working.
Re: Motors keep adding steps
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2018, 10:21:02 PM »
Hi,
if your stepper drivers handle 3.3V input you'd be fine. Your description rather sounds like the drivers
are not reliably operating with 3.3V inputs however. One possibility is to change the drivers, another is to
change the BoB to one that produces 5V outputs and yet another alternative is to use an amplifier between
your BoB and the drivers. One hex buffer IC would do step and direction for a three axis machine.

Hows you electronic skills?

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'