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Author Topic: frustration time, no signal to motor controllers  (Read 1411 times)

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frustration time, no signal to motor controllers
« on: September 21, 2018, 11:32:24 AM »
Have gone through the setup procedure twice now, and still in demo mode I guess since I have not purchased a license. First question is this, after all the setup is finished, if I enter Gcode in midi, the software screen shows movement in all directions I have entered, but the motor controllers are apparently not getting the signals. Should the motors run in demo mode? Motors are hooked up but not connected to the machine drives yet. I am using latest copy of Mach3, windows xp computer, and a parallel port connection. I have checked the ports and they are supposedly functioning per normal.

Offline ger21

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Re: frustration time, no signal to motor controllers
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2018, 11:48:41 AM »
The most likely scenario is that the port address is wrong.
Gerry

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Re: frustration time, no signal to motor controllers
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2018, 09:36:21 AM »
Checked 2 times. port address is correct from computer and in mach3
There must be a setting I don't have correct but I sure can't find it.

Offline ger21

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Re: frustration time, no signal to motor controllers
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2018, 02:30:21 PM »
Run Drivertest.exe in the Mach3 folder, and see what the results are.

If you get a flat line, and steady pulse rate of close to 25,000, then  it should be working.

Then jog one axis back and forth, and measure the voltage on the direction pin at the drive. It should be 0V in one direction, and 5V in the other. If it doesn't change at all, then Mach3 is seeing the port, usually because the address is wrong.

Gerry

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http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: frustration time, no signal to motor controllers
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2018, 01:26:06 PM »
KL-4030 controllers, C10 breakout board, CD0708005 power supply, windows xp, port address 378, port test shows green numbered pins 1-17 and 23, 24.....
Conditions with no machine motion programmed, power on:
  90VDC at VCC/GRD on motor controller.  5VDC at all controllers B+/B-.   0VDC at all controller A+/A-.   2VDC at all PUL+/PUL- and DIR+/DIR-

Conditions when I put positive motion in Mach 3 on x axis: (program show x-axis moving)
  2VDC on PUL, 0VDC on DIR, no change when i do negative motion on x axis
Something is definitly wrong. Triple checked ALL of my wiring, and matches any schematics I could find.
Re: frustration time, no signal to motor controllers
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2018, 08:42:17 AM »
Your controllers are only rated for 40 VDC  >https://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/kl-stepper-drivers/kl-4030driver

 I agree with Gerry its in the Port address or type of LPT port  selected.

 Frankly I tried the WinXP parallel port on mine and was not a happy camper.  Got tired of screwing around and did what I was advised to do on here..... go to a Ethernet based controller.  I used this and my problems went away. https://cnc4pc.com/uc400eth-ethernet-motion-controller-b.html

 And I am sure you realize the outputs to the motors are steps to each phase, not just voltage.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2018, 08:57:51 AM by wmgeorge »
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