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Mach3 One stepper motor won't move

 

I am replacing my computer on my plasma table. I loaded Mach3 on the new computer set it up with the same setting as the old one. Everything works as it should except one of my motors on the Y axis won't move. I plug in the old computer works fine. HELP!


Re: Bridgeport Series I conversion

 

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Thanks Dan, I’ll see how it goes …

?

Chuck

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Dan Mauch
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 5:01 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Bridgeport Series I conversion

?

Up here in the NW I would say it would sell quickly at $2500 and mabe even $3000.
Dan


Re: Spindle PWM on MACH3

 

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Thanks.?

That's strange though because I tried that. ?First thing in fact.? And the signal vanished. (TEK Scope on the pin)? As if the active low was an enable.? So I put it back and the signal came back.

?

Just went down and tried it again and now it works as I originally expected it to.? 150 RPM produces the smallest PWM and 3000 RPM pretty well full on.? That running into one of those tiny cheap from China 0V-10V modules gives me my spindle control voltage.

?

Now if I only had that spindle already installed I'd be really happy.? Ah well.? Project #42 is done.? Only 42 more to go.

John

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Andy Wander
Sent: November-20-19 9:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Spindle PWM on MACH3

?

Change the active low setting of the PWM output

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of John Dammeyer
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2019 12:34 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] Spindle PWM on MACH3

?

I've got my Spindle PWM coming out DB25-Pin 14 with a base frequency of 3kHz and 0% min PWM.? The M3 Relay output is set to DB25-Pin 16 to control spindle direction.?

?

The PMDX-126 BoB provides the drive signals except the PWM is the wrong polarity.? Ie. The signal is high for 0 RPM and low for 3000 RPM.? I do of course get a nice 50% duty cycle at 1500 RPM.

?

What am I missing in that the PWM is inverted.? I can run that into an opto-isolator I guess to create the pull down output to invert it but shouldn't that be configurable?

?

Thanks

John

?


Re: Spindle PWM on MACH3

 

开云体育

Change the active low setting of the PWM output

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of John Dammeyer
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2019 12:34 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MachCNC] Spindle PWM on MACH3

?

I've got my Spindle PWM coming out DB25-Pin 14 with a base frequency of 3kHz and 0% min PWM.? The M3 Relay output is set to DB25-Pin 16 to control spindle direction.?

?

The PMDX-126 BoB provides the drive signals except the PWM is the wrong polarity.? Ie. The signal is high for 0 RPM and low for 3000 RPM.? I do of course get a nice 50% duty cycle at 1500 RPM.

?

What am I missing in that the PWM is inverted.? I can run that into an opto-isolator I guess to create the pull down output to invert it but shouldn't that be configurable?

?

Thanks

John

?


Spindle PWM on MACH3

 

开云体育

I've got my Spindle PWM coming out DB25-Pin 14 with a base frequency of 3kHz and 0% min PWM.? The M3 Relay output is set to DB25-Pin 16 to control spindle direction.?

?

The PMDX-126 BoB provides the drive signals except the PWM is the wrong polarity.? Ie. The signal is high for 0 RPM and low for 3000 RPM.? I do of course get a nice 50% duty cycle at 1500 RPM.

?

What am I missing in that the PWM is inverted.? I can run that into an opto-isolator I guess to create the pull down output to invert it but shouldn't that be configurable?

?

Thanks

John

?


Re: Mach3 single block problem

 

? It has the same setup for the last 5 years.? I think it was caused by a bug in Mach3. As y controls still runoff my parallel port.?
Dan


Re: Mach3 single block problem

 

Nope the pc has a XP operating system.
Strange.
Dan


Re: Mach3 single block problem

 

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Hi Dan,
It could be an issue with the motion controller. Have you updated any thing to with that lately?

Cheers?

Peter Homann - (from my mobile)
http://www.homanndesigns.com

On 20 Nov 2019, at 9:07 am, Dan Mauch <dmauch@...> wrote:

?Yesterday I was running a short G code file using the single block mode. For the first 5 or 6 single block moves everything went as commanded. But then even with the Single block led still blinking? it started to run the G code in the continuous mode. I have never had this problem before in many years of running mach3. Any ideas as to what cause this problem?
Dan


Re: Mach3 single block problem

 

Dan,
I’m with you. Never seen this either.

I’ve noticed some strange things lately though. I’m seeing these on Windows10 machine only, It’s connected internet. On windows 2000 and XP machine all is fine.

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --


Mach3 single block problem

 

Yesterday I was running a short G code file using the single block mode. For the first 5 or 6 single block moves everything went as commanded. But then even with the Single block led still blinking? it started to run the G code in the continuous mode. I have never had this problem before in many years of running mach3. Any ideas as to what cause this problem?
Dan


Re: Bridgeport Series I conversion

 

Up here in the NW I would say it would sell quickly at $2500 and mabe even $3000.
Dan


Bridgeport Series I conversion

 

Hi Gang,

I have a 1981 Bridgeport Series I that I converted to Mach3 long ago. I removed all the Bridgeport Boss electronics and just kept the stepper motors.? The driver box is from AHHA (great box, 12A / axis, never a lick of trouble).? To this I added a parallel BOB, PC, and VFD for the spindle (with Mach3 control of the spindle).

I have just purchased a used Haas Mini Mill (at last a tool changer, flood cooling, and rigid tapping!).

My dilemma is what to what to try and get for my Series I machine.?

Aside from the "iron" what I need to find out is ballpark what it would cost to convert the machine today purchasing the driver box (4-axis), breakout board, Mach3, etc. for a DIY conversion.? No steppers as they were already on the machine.

I'll add this to what I think the iron and VFD, etc. are worth.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Or, if easier, what you would ask for Bridgeport Series I with:
- Variable speed spindle (pneumatic cone pulley) head and VFD
- Mach3
- Drivers, PC, keyboard, monitor, etc.
- Kwik-Switch 200 spindle
- Spindle VFD controllable manually or Mach3 (switches and dial on the old B-Port pendant).?
- air spindle brake

I'll still have my lathe conversion running on Mach3 :-)

Chuck Hackett
Tampa, Florida


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

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I meant to say IE for WIN-XP isn't supported and Microsoft will not upload to it.?

Sent from John's iPhone 4S

On 2019-11-18, at 9:49 AM, "John Dammeyer" <johnd@...> wrote:

I've been working on exactly that problem.

?

Essentially the cost to migrate, if your WIN-XP system fails, is find another PC that runs WIN-XP and is old enough so there are still drivers for the parallel port(s).? ?If not there will be problems.

?

So I started with an experiment talking to a PMDX-126 BoB

1.????? I installed WIN-XP on a newer surplus Lenovo ($75) plus hard drive had to be purchased.

a.?????? Very painful since not all the drivers are there including Ethernet for the 1GB interface.?

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? i.????? Eventually I found a driver for it.

b.????? Internet Explorer that runs on WIN-7 isn't supported by Microsoft so it's really hard to get updates etc.

c.?????? Firefox does but there are issues.

d.????? Chrome keeps loading on start-up and I can't figure out how to prevent that.

e.?????? Second parallel port card needs driver.?

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? i.????? There are issues with that.? Doesn't work well with the port card I bought off Ebay.

2.????? With the on board parallel port I can get 65K step rates but move a window or do anything that takes up processor time and the interruption in step rates results in the DC servos faulting or the stepper motor possibly locking.

3.????? With my USB Smooth Stepper it runs flawlessly.

4.????? I also installed (using the dual boot feature) LinuxCNC.

a.?????? Very simple install but as always there is a learning curve with a different OS and CAD software

5.????? With the parallel port LinuxCNC warns that my step rates might be compromised (I have high rates for the 4th axis)

6.????? One can move windows around and edit things etc. without disruption to CNC motion.? Much better than MACH3 on XP.

7.????? With the MESA 7i92H Ethernet board the step rate issue is gone.? A bit more difficult to assign pins to match the MACH3 setup to the BoB.? More on that once my 0V-10V PWM modules arrives for spindle speed control.

?

So which way to go?

?

If you have a licensed WIN-7 PC then even though Microsoft will discontinue support you will likely find drivers for the hardware for at least the next 5 to 10 years and you can run with the parallel port as I understand it.

?

However if you have to upgrade and buy WIN-10 not only do you have the cost of WIN-10 OS from Microsoft but you must buy some sort of Ethernet or USB based controller.

WIN-10 up to $180US for Pro

And the smooth stepper $180

?

So you are looking at $360.

?

The other side:? (Some say the dark side)

LinuxCNC.? Free.

?

MESA 7i92H about $89.

?

?

So for half the amount of a Smooth Stepper you get an Ethernet controlled parallel port interface but there is a steep learning curve just setting it up with LinuxCNC.

?

So far I've still been able to maintain the dual boot and just swap a few cables to run either MACH3 or LinuxCNC.? I think I will try and install WIN-7 on the Microsoft partition to remove the constraints of WIN-XP.? More on that when I do this.

?

Now if you score a WIN-10 laptop or workstation for next to nothing then the real cost is the Smooth Stepper verses MESA 7i92H and the learning curve.? If you add MACH4 into the bundle the Linux approach wins hands down cost wise. ?But there is that pesky learning curve.? Although maybe there is one with MACH4 too?

?

That's it so far.

John Dammeyer

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Barry Albin
Sent: November-18-19 7:23 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] upgrade to Mach 4

?

I don’t know anything about Mach 4. ?I ran Mach 3 on a Chinese CNC router for a couple of years with an old Windows desktop running Windows 7 and using the parallel port. ?I experienced lost steps and max feedrate problems. ?Last year I upgraded my system with a SmoothStepper connected to the Ethernet port on the same old desktop computer bypassing the parallel port. ?Fantastic results. ?Recently I took an older laptop running Windows 10 and loaded Mach 3 and the SmoothStepper software and started using it to run and check programs I create in V Carve Pro before running them on the CNC machine to weed out problems before cutting material. ?I have also used the laptop to run the CNC machine. ?Everything works fine.

?

The SmoothStepper solved all of my problems and my cheap Chinese machine is running great. ?The SmoothStepper comes in either an Ethernet config or USB and doesn’t care what Windows version, XP, 7 or 10 you are running nor what type of computer, desktop or laptop.?

?



On Nov 18, 2019, at 6:39 AM, phill005 <phill05@...> wrote:

?

Sorry for not being clear, I have an old system computer running win xp on it and before it die's on me I was thinking would this be the right time to change over to Mach 4 and I understand 4 needs to be?registered on one computer,the controller box only has a?parallel port bob what would be the best way forward.
I did not know you could run Mach 3 on a laptop with win 10.

Phill??

?


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

John thank you so very much for the very detailed reply to my question it covers everything I need to know.

I was wrong in the understanding Mach 3 could only use Win XP, I have a freebe laptop with Win 10 that my sister cannot get on with, I have a Win 7 desktop that I use for designing in Vectic Aspire so I could swap to laptop for designing and still use Mach 3 on the Win 7? only the controller card to buy and learn now I have some reading to do which one to choose.

Many thanks to all?

Phill


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

开云体育

I've been working on exactly that problem.

?

Essentially the cost to migrate, if your WIN-XP system fails, is find another PC that runs WIN-XP and is old enough so there are still drivers for the parallel port(s).? ?If not there will be problems.

?

So I started with an experiment talking to a PMDX-126 BoB

1.????? I installed WIN-XP on a newer surplus Lenovo ($75) plus hard drive had to be purchased.

a.?????? Very painful since not all the drivers are there including Ethernet for the 1GB interface.?

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? i.????? Eventually I found a driver for it.

b.????? Internet Explorer that runs on WIN-7 isn't supported by Microsoft so it's really hard to get updates etc.

c.?????? Firefox does but there are issues.

d.????? Chrome keeps loading on start-up and I can't figure out how to prevent that.

e.?????? Second parallel port card needs driver.?

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? i.????? There are issues with that.? Doesn't work well with the port card I bought off Ebay.

2.????? With the on board parallel port I can get 65K step rates but move a window or do anything that takes up processor time and the interruption in step rates results in the DC servos faulting or the stepper motor possibly locking.

3.????? With my USB Smooth Stepper it runs flawlessly.

4.????? I also installed (using the dual boot feature) LinuxCNC.

a.?????? Very simple install but as always there is a learning curve with a different OS and CAD software

5.????? With the parallel port LinuxCNC warns that my step rates might be compromised (I have high rates for the 4th axis)

6.????? One can move windows around and edit things etc. without disruption to CNC motion.? Much better than MACH3 on XP.

7.????? With the MESA 7i92H Ethernet board the step rate issue is gone.? A bit more difficult to assign pins to match the MACH3 setup to the BoB.? More on that once my 0V-10V PWM modules arrives for spindle speed control.

?

So which way to go?

?

If you have a licensed WIN-7 PC then even though Microsoft will discontinue support you will likely find drivers for the hardware for at least the next 5 to 10 years and you can run with the parallel port as I understand it.

?

However if you have to upgrade and buy WIN-10 not only do you have the cost of WIN-10 OS from Microsoft but you must buy some sort of Ethernet or USB based controller.

WIN-10 up to $180US for Pro

And the smooth stepper $180

?

So you are looking at $360.

?

The other side:? (Some say the dark side)

LinuxCNC.? Free.

?

MESA 7i92H about $89.

?

?

So for half the amount of a Smooth Stepper you get an Ethernet controlled parallel port interface but there is a steep learning curve just setting it up with LinuxCNC.

?

So far I've still been able to maintain the dual boot and just swap a few cables to run either MACH3 or LinuxCNC.? I think I will try and install WIN-7 on the Microsoft partition to remove the constraints of WIN-XP.? More on that when I do this.

?

Now if you score a WIN-10 laptop or workstation for next to nothing then the real cost is the Smooth Stepper verses MESA 7i92H and the learning curve.? If you add MACH4 into the bundle the Linux approach wins hands down cost wise. ?But there is that pesky learning curve.? Although maybe there is one with MACH4 too?

?

That's it so far.

John Dammeyer

?

?

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Barry Albin
Sent: November-18-19 7:23 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] upgrade to Mach 4

?

I don’t know anything about Mach 4. ?I ran Mach 3 on a Chinese CNC router for a couple of years with an old Windows desktop running Windows 7 and using the parallel port. ?I experienced lost steps and max feedrate problems. ?Last year I upgraded my system with a SmoothStepper connected to the Ethernet port on the same old desktop computer bypassing the parallel port. ?Fantastic results. ?Recently I took an older laptop running Windows 10 and loaded Mach 3 and the SmoothStepper software and started using it to run and check programs I create in V Carve Pro before running them on the CNC machine to weed out problems before cutting material. ?I have also used the laptop to run the CNC machine. ?Everything works fine.

?

The SmoothStepper solved all of my problems and my cheap Chinese machine is running great. ?The SmoothStepper comes in either an Ethernet config or USB and doesn’t care what Windows version, XP, 7 or 10 you are running nor what type of computer, desktop or laptop.?

?



On Nov 18, 2019, at 6:39 AM, phill005 <phill05@...> wrote:

?

Sorry for not being clear, I have an old system computer running win xp on it and before it die's on me I was thinking would this be the right time to change over to Mach 4 and I understand 4 needs to be?registered on one computer,the controller box only has a?parallel port bob what would be the best way forward.
I did not know you could run Mach 3 on a laptop with win 10.

Phill??

?


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

开云体育

I don’t know anything about Mach 4. ?I ran Mach 3 on a Chinese CNC router for a couple of years with an old Windows desktop running Windows 7 and using the parallel port. ?I experienced lost steps and max feedrate problems. ?Last year I upgraded my system with a SmoothStepper connected to the Ethernet port on the same old desktop computer bypassing the parallel port. ?Fantastic results. ?Recently I took an older laptop running Windows 10 and loaded Mach 3 and the SmoothStepper software and started using it to run and check programs I create in V Carve Pro before running them on the CNC machine to weed out problems before cutting material. ?I have also used the laptop to run the CNC machine. ?Everything works fine.

The SmoothStepper solved all of my problems and my cheap Chinese machine is running great. ?The SmoothStepper comes in either an Ethernet config or USB and doesn’t care what Windows version, XP, 7 or 10 you are running nor what type of computer, desktop or laptop.?


On Nov 18, 2019, at 6:39 AM, phill005 <phill05@...> wrote:

Sorry for not being clear, I have an old system computer running win xp on it and before it die's on me I was thinking would this be the right time to change over to Mach 4 and I understand 4 needs to be?registered on one computer,the controller box only has a?parallel port bob what would be the best way forward.
I did not know you could run Mach 3 on a laptop with win 10.

Phill??


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

Sorry for not being clear, I have an old system computer running win xp on it and before it die's on me I was thinking would this be the right time to change over to Mach 4 and I understand 4 needs to be?registered on one computer,the controller box only has a?parallel port bob what would be the best way forward.
I did not know you could run Mach 3 on a laptop with win 10.

Phill??


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

Maybe I missed where you were going with this, but I'me run Mach3 with a Win10 laptop with no perceivable issues. Was there another reason you want to upgrade to Mach4?


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

I used a pokeys57cnc and it works great even with encoder threading.


Re: upgrade to Mach 4

 

开云体育

If you have a SmoothStepper in your system you should have no problems using a laptop and/or Windows 10.

On Nov 17, 2019, at 8:01 AM, phill005 <phill05@...> wrote:

Hi been running Mach 3 for a good many years, now looking to upgrade to win 10 on laptop what can you advise best I do please.

Phill?