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Author Topic: Multiple MPG encoders MACH3  (Read 1157 times)

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Multiple MPG encoders MACH3
« on: December 15, 2020, 05:45:09 AM »
Hi I'm hoping someone can steer me in the right direction.

I am setting up a mill.

Mach3 (licensed), Win 10, UC400ETH motion controller.

I have installed 2 mpg's one to control the X and the other to control the Y.

MPG1 A and B are connected to port 2 pins 10,11
MPG2 A and B are connected to port 2 pins 12,15

In port/pins config I enabled mpg#1 and mpg#2 and set the relevant pins and ports.

Then in function config I ran mpg calibration it worked correctly for mpg1 but it will not read any movement from mpg2.

On the settings tab MPG diagnostics MPG1 shows pulse and velocity, MPG2 shows nothing.

I opened the jog control and ALTA & ALTB have leds lit for X and Y. Setting the jog mode to MPG allows MPG1 to control axis X correctly, but MPG2 does nothing.

If I go back to ports and pins and disable MPG1, MPG2 will now work.

It seems I can only have one MPG at once connected but I'm sure that I must be missing something.

Any ideas?

Re: Multiple MPG encoders MACH3
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2020, 02:56:43 PM »
Hi,
I thought you would have to have four wires/inputs for an MPG....

A+,A- and B+,B- ..........they are after all, quadrature devices.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Re: Multiple MPG encoders MACH3
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2021, 01:05:55 PM »
I see what you mean but in the mpg setup in mach3 it only has port/pin settings for A and B.
Re: Multiple MPG encoders MACH3
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2021, 05:30:54 AM »
So the problem here is that CNCDRIVE motion controllers eg UC400ETH do not support more than one mpg.
Re: Multiple MPG encoders MACH3
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2021, 01:01:50 PM »
Hi,
the U400 has 34 IOs, and IIRC something like 17 of those are inputs.

If you require 4 inputs per MPG, then three MPGs would require 12 inputs, which doesn't leave many left over
for homes and limits etc.

The ESS has 51 IOs, of which 31 can be inputs, which may give you a bit more scope.
The 57CNC has 57IOs, I don't know the input/output balance but should be enough inputs for multiple MPGs.
The UC300 has 85IOs, of which I believe 31 can be inputs.
I don't know enough about the Hicon Integra but do know that it supports multiple MPGs.

Craig
'I enjoy sex at 73.....I live at 71 so its not too far to walk.'
Re: Multiple MPG encoders MACH3
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2021, 03:13:01 PM »
Hi,
the other alternative is to use a pendant like a VistaCNC P1A. I have used one for six years, first with Mach3 and parallel port,
then with Mach4 and ESS.

It has one MPG and a rotary switch to direct the pulses to a given axis.

The good news is that its USB connected to the PC and has its own plugin and therefore requires NO inputs of your controller/BoB.

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