I only noticed a hot X axis motor the last time the TIP blew up. The Y and Z motors were cool. I did not feel the X motor temp the first time the TIP blew up.
All three motors measure a resistance of 1.4 ohm across 5/1, 5/2, 5/3 and 5/4. So if the X motor is shorted, then the Y and Z would be as well ..... I hope not.
I have sent another email to Dave, but he seems very reluctant to give specifics on this motor as it is a proprietary product. I have asked him for the name of the manufacturer for whom they manufacture this product, hope he'll give it to me.
Yes, I was confusing the TIP120 with the PIC16F84A-201/P. Good to know I could still swap the TIP120 with a 122.
The motor settings have always been a mystery to me. How is it possible for instance for 200 steps (1 full revolution, 360 degrees) to move the X axis 2.54 mm (screw pitch) and yet the 'X Axis Motor Movement Profile' states that the 'steps per mm' is 39.2343239, which is approx 5.1 mm per full revolution. I've always just accepted it as a Mach3 internal mystery. Now if, as TPS says, the settings are not 'real' than the velocity, acceleration and other settings would also be unreal. What are the generally expected values in motor tuning; how do I arrive at correct values?
Unless you have real misgivings and would like me to check the resistances or anything else with a different instrument, I will assume that the motors are still functioning normally. So then the only issue to be resolved before I 'fire up' is the speed; maybe in the Motor Tuning setting ...... I need help there. The 'steps per (mm)' in the 'X Axis Motor Movement Profile' window are arrived at automatically by 'Calibrating the Axis' under the 'Settings' tab in Mach3. I follow the steps after activating the 'Steps per Unit' button, and the calculator inserts the 39.---- value. I do this a few times to reduce the error as far as I can and then tweak the acceleration and velocity till the gantry movement is smooth. Is this the correct procedure; could there be an error elsewhere in the settings??
And then there is the 'working' speed' ... it seems so very slow. Is that because it is a unipolar slow machine?