Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Art, Yes, this is an amazing group.
?I can’t believe all the help I got.?
44 total responses. ?
Thanks for your leadership, Chuck?
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On Jan 19, 2024, at 6:56?AM, Art <fenerty@...> wrote:
?
So nice to see Mach people still supporting each other after so many
years. :)
Art
On 2024-01-19 10:44 a.m., Chuck Kahler
wrote:
Thanks Tony, I got it running with the low-voltage and apparently
it had something to do with the charge pump, still working that
?but at least it’s running.?
Chuck
?
CMOS circuitry is
usually good for triggering down to 2v, so the 3.5v
Chuck is reading should be enough.? Probably not the
issue, however I have had situations where if running
of 5v then the trigger voltage was about 4.5v, so
maybe.? I wouldn’t rule out a dodgy board or power
supply, but put it a fair way down the list.
?
Tony
?
?
?
I really doubt that it will be too
low a voltage that is the cause.?
The PMDX breakout boards are
quality boards, well designed and will most certainly
be using 74ACT or other buffers that are capable of
dealing with 3.3V voltages.?
?
Peter Homann - (from my mobile)
On
19 Jan 2024, at 10:12?am, Lou Jackson via
groups.io <lou@...>
wrote:
? Even better. Perfect!
?
On Jan 18,
2024, at 3:31?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...>
wrote:
?
Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem,
?which I hope it is.?
Thanks?
Chuck
--
Thanks
Art
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
So nice to see Mach people still supporting each other after so many
years. :)
Art
On 2024-01-19 10:44 a.m., Chuck Kahler
wrote:
Thanks Tony, I got it running with the low-voltage and apparently
it had something to do with the charge pump, still working that
?but at least it’s running.?
Chuck
?
CMOS circuitry is
usually good for triggering down to 2v, so the 3.5v
Chuck is reading should be enough.? Probably not the
issue, however I have had situations where if running
of 5v then the trigger voltage was about 4.5v, so
maybe.? I wouldn’t rule out a dodgy board or power
supply, but put it a fair way down the list.
?
Tony
?
?
?
I really doubt that it will be too
low a voltage that is the cause.?
The PMDX breakout boards are
quality boards, well designed and will most certainly
be using 74ACT or other buffers that are capable of
dealing with 3.3V voltages.?
?
Peter Homann - (from my mobile)
On
19 Jan 2024, at 10:12?am, Lou Jackson via
groups.io <lou@...>
wrote:
? Even better. Perfect!
?
On Jan 18,
2024, at 3:31?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...>
wrote:
?
Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem,
?which I hope it is.?
Thanks?
Chuck
--
Thanks
Art
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Thanks Tony, I got it running with the low-voltage and apparently it had something to do with the charge pump, still working that ?but at least it’s running.?
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On Jan 19, 2024, at 4:01?AM, Tony Smith <ajsmith1968@...> wrote:
? CMOS circuitry is usually good for triggering down to 2v, so the 3.5v Chuck is reading should be enough.? Probably not the issue, however I have had situations where if running of 5v then the trigger voltage was about 4.5v, so maybe.? I wouldn’t rule out a dodgy board or power supply, but put it a fair way down the list. ? Tony ? ? ? I really doubt that it will be too low a voltage that is the cause.? The PMDX breakout boards are quality boards, well designed and will most certainly be using 74ACT or other buffers that are capable of dealing with 3.3V voltages.? ? Peter Homann - (from my mobile)
On 19 Jan 2024, at 10:12?am, Lou Jackson via groups.io <lou@...> wrote:
? Even better. Perfect! ?
On Jan 18, 2024, at 3:31?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
? Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem, ?which I hope it is.? Thanks? Chuck
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
CMOS circuitry is usually good for triggering down to 2v, so the 3.5v Chuck is reading should be enough.? Probably not the issue, however I have had situations where if running of 5v then the trigger voltage was about 4.5v, so maybe.? I wouldn’t rule out a dodgy board or power supply, but put it a fair way down the list. ? Tony ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Peter Homann
Sent: Friday, 19 January 2024 12:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.? I really doubt that it will be too low a voltage that is the cause.? The PMDX breakout boards are quality boards, well designed and will most certainly be using 74ACT or other buffers that are capable of dealing with 3.3V voltages.? ? Peter Homann - (from my mobile)
On 19 Jan 2024, at 10:12?am, Lou Jackson via groups.io <lou@...> wrote:
? Even better. Perfect! ?
On Jan 18, 2024, at 3:31?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
? Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem, ?which I hope it is.? Thanks? Chuck
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Peter,
Steve Stalings just gave me some new jumper settings on the PMDX board that allowed me to get my machine running In spite of the lower voltages, ?Which supports your input.?
As I understand Steve, the settings I currently have will bypass my charge pump and Estop, so I need to get that corrected.?
Thank you for your input, Chuck?
Steve Stallings
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On Jan 18, 2024, at 5:27?PM, Peter Homann <groups@...> wrote:
? I really doubt that it will be too low a voltage that is the cause.? The PMDX breakout boards are quality boards, well designed and will most certainly be using 74ACT or other buffers that are capable of dealing with 3.3V voltages.?
Cheers? Peter Homann - (from my mobile) http://www.homanndesigns.com On 19 Jan 2024, at 10:12?am, Lou Jackson via groups.io <lou@...> wrote:
?
Even better. Perfect!
Fingers crossed,
Lou
On Jan 18, 2024, at 3:31?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
?
Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem, ?which I hope it is.?
Thanks?
Chuck
<IMG_9005.jpeg>
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
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On Jan 18, 2024, at 6:08?PM, ptegler <ptegler@...> wrote:
? ...kind of late to this thread here.... just saw someone with issues...? ...? I've been running a PMDX-126, with Geckos.... have the remote panel for the PMDX as well, mounted up at the users station (reset emo indicators etc)
so lots of long cable runs down to the control box under the table. I've never seen voltage level issues as long as you shield stuff correctly.? I've probably well over 1,000 hr of run time on my electronics without a single hiccup.
Now I DO KNOW that now that I said that out loud...the machine will be DOA next time to power switch is flipped on.
...short version.... you've got a simple shielding and routing issue.? Group a ground wire in any wire bundle you run. Twist associated groups of signal types together. (high freq and low freq separated when possible) and a common ground point for frame, elecs box, spindle ground etc.
glwyi
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
...kind of late to this thread here.... just saw someone with issues...? ...? I've been running a PMDX-126, with Geckos.... have the remote panel for the PMDX as well, mounted up at the users station (reset emo indicators etc)
so lots of long cable runs down to the control box under the table. I've never seen voltage level issues as long as you shield stuff correctly.? I've probably well over 1,000 hr of run time on my electronics without a single hiccup.
Now I DO KNOW that now that I said that out loud...the machine will be DOA next time to power switch is flipped on.
...short version.... you've got a simple shielding and routing issue.? Group a ground wire in any wire bundle you run. Twist associated groups of signal types together. (high freq and low freq separated when possible) and a common ground point for frame, elecs box, spindle ground etc.
glwyi
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
I really doubt that it will be too low a voltage that is the cause.? The PMDX breakout boards are quality boards, well designed and will most certainly be using 74ACT or other buffers that are capable of dealing with 3.3V voltages.?
Cheers? Peter Homann - (from my mobile) http://www.homanndesigns.com
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On 19 Jan 2024, at 10:12?am, Lou Jackson via groups.io <lou@...> wrote:
?
Even better. Perfect!
Fingers crossed,
Lou
On Jan 18, 2024, at 3:31?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
?
Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem, ?which I hope it is.?
Thanks?
Chuck
<IMG_9005.jpeg>
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Even better. Perfect!
Fingers crossed,
Lou
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On Jan 18, 2024, at 3:31?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
?
Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem, ?which I hope it is.?
Thanks?
Chuck
<IMG_9005.jpeg>
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Lou,?
looks like for $20. I can get one of these,?
easy Peezy, if low-voltage is my problem, ?which I hope it is.?
Thanks?
Chuck
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Lou,? thanks for the input, if the voltage is too low, that Could be the issue.
?
I’m not familiar with pull up resistors, but I can do some googling, ?
Chuck?
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
John,?
I understand not Running the machine with these safety devices disconnected.?
?
I’ve actually plugged the motors from the control box.?
?
I have tried what you have suggested relative to reading the voltages on the direction pins for the different axis, and I am getting no voltage change on the PMDX board itself when a jog the axis. ? ?
?
I have the manual for the PMDX Board that shows all of the connections to my Gecko drivers., See attached photo.?
?
I just got an input suggesting that maybe the voltage, 3.5 V is too low to activate the relays within the board.?
?
If that’s the case, that could be my problem. ?
?
Thanks for your input,
Chuck  
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
?Chuck, you report 3.5v output on the || port. While well within the IEEE specs, that may be a marginal voltage, and could explain why it only works intermittently. If your voltage is marginal, temperature changes are enough to shift the switching
threshold. || port voltages have historically been a problem with Mach, and were notorious with laptops.
It would be a little work, but you could test this with a breakout board. Just put a 1K pull-up resistor attached to a 5v rail on each output port.
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On Jan 18, 2024, at 1:46?PM, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
?
John,
I just tried changing the jumpers JP4 and that didn’t make any difference. I then change the jumper on JP3 and again no improvement.?
When I say changed, I’m talking about changing them from the default configuration. ?
For some reason, although I’m getting the proper voltages on the parallel port pins, they don’t seem to be having any effect on the PMDX board?
Chuck?
On Jan 18, 2024, at 12:28?PM, John Dammeyer <johnd@...> wrote:
?
Hi Chuck,
On my PMDX_125 and 126 it’s possible to jumper or disable the need for the charge pump.? To remove one more variable I’d disable that.?
Once disabled see if the direction signals into the PMDX-122 are changing to the appropriate Gecko.? I’m assuming the Gecko enable is working because you said
your motors were locked.
John
?
?
I’m still chasing gremlins, but I have some more information that may generate some new ideas.
?
There have been a lot of inputs so far and I have addressed them with no joy.?
so here is where I am currently.
Summary:
?
I have a PDMX- 122 and Gecko drivers on my Table top TAIG 4 axis milling machine. Using MACH3.?
?
It’s been running fine for years and then all of a sudden in the middle of a job it stopped.
?
I checked the voltages for the direction pins on the XYZ axis And they each registered 3.5 V and 0.2V when checking the direction pins.
Does this voltage sound correct?
?
I also checked the voltage on the charge pump, and it registered the same.
although I am getting these voltages coming out of the parallel port cable, I am not getting any voltage on the PMDX – 122 board itself. When I try to move an axis.?
?
?
From everything I’ve checked so far the problem appears to be either in the PDMX – 122 board itself or some setting in MACH3 that is not set properly.?
?
Is there a way I can troubleshoot this board??
I have tried the PMDX forum, but it appears to be having a problem currently.?
any additional help would be greatly appreciated,
?thanks,
Chuck?
?
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Hi Chuck, I’m not suggesting try a jumper and then try running CNC.? I’m suggesting disable the charge pump and don’t reconnect it.? Whatever is required to do that.? Then start tracing signals again.? Click the big red button and make sure your hard wired ESTOP is not active.? Verify that with the LEDs on the PMDX board and the MACH software. Now JOG X in say + direction.? Look at the Parallel port DIR_X output at the PMDX input side.? Then look at the signal out to the X Axis GECKO DIR pin. Now JOF X in the – direction and see if the outputs change.? Without a scope it’s hard to see if the step pulses are making it through. ? Have you created a sketch or drawing of how your system is wired?? For example attached is the drawing I did for my ELS to Gingery lathe connection.? My ELS duplicates the Parallel port and I’ve had it running with both MACH2 and MACH3 by just moving the cable from the ELS to the PC. ? Also attached is an older version of my CNC Mill conversion with the PMDX-126.? Just to give you an idea of how to put something together that you can then share to help with diagnostics. ? Doesn’t have to be fancy done with CAD but at least something drawing with ruler lines etc.? ie. Neat and tidy.? That might even give you the clue as to what might be happening. John ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: January 18, 2024 12:46 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.? I just tried changing the jumpers JP4 and that didn’t make any difference. I then change the jumper on JP3 and again no improvement.? When I say changed, I’m talking about changing them from the default configuration. ? For some reason, although I’m getting the proper voltages on the parallel port pins, they don’t seem to be having any effect on the PMDX board?
On Jan 18, 2024, at 12:28?PM, John Dammeyer <johnd@...> wrote: ? Hi Chuck, On my PMDX_125 and 126 it’s possible to jumper or disable the need for the charge pump.? To remove one more variable I’d disable that.? Once disabled see if the direction signals into the PMDX-122 are changing to the appropriate Gecko.? I’m assuming the Gecko enable is working because you said your motors were locked. John ? ? I’m still chasing gremlins, but I have some more information that may generate some new ideas. ? There have been a lot of inputs so far and I have addressed them with no joy.?
so here is where I am currently.
Summary:
? I have a PDMX- 122 and Gecko drivers on my Table top TAIG 4 axis milling machine. Using MACH3.? ? It’s been running fine for years and then all of a sudden in the middle of a job it stopped. ? I checked the voltages for the direction pins on the XYZ axis And they each registered 3.5 V and 0.2V when checking the direction pins. Does this voltage sound correct? ? I also checked the voltage on the charge pump, and it registered the same.
although I am getting these voltages coming out of the parallel port cable, I am not getting any voltage on the PMDX – 122 board itself. When I try to move an axis.?
? ? From everything I’ve checked so far the problem appears to be either in the PDMX – 122 board itself or some setting in MACH3 that is not set properly.? ? Is there a way I can troubleshoot this board??
I have tried the PMDX forum, but it appears to be having a problem currently.?
any additional help would be greatly appreciated,
?thanks, Chuck? ?
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
John, I just tried changing the jumpers JP4 and that didn’t make any difference. I then change the jumper on JP3 and again no improvement.?
When I say changed, I’m talking about changing them from the default configuration. ?
For some reason, although I’m getting the proper voltages on the parallel port pins, they don’t seem to be having any effect on the PMDX board?
Chuck?
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-sent from my iphone --
On Jan 18, 2024, at 12:28?PM, John Dammeyer <johnd@...> wrote:
? Hi Chuck, On my PMDX_125 and 126 it’s possible to jumper or disable the need for the charge pump.? To remove one more variable I’d disable that.? Once disabled see if the direction signals into the PMDX-122 are changing to the appropriate Gecko.? I’m assuming the Gecko enable is working because you said your motors were locked. John ? ? I’m still chasing gremlins, but I have some more information that may generate some new ideas. ? There have been a lot of inputs so far and I have addressed them with no joy.?
so here is where I am currently.
Summary:
? I have a PDMX- 122 and Gecko drivers on my Table top TAIG 4 axis milling machine. Using MACH3.? ? It’s been running fine for years and then all of a sudden in the middle of a job it stopped. ? I checked the voltages for the direction pins on the XYZ axis And they each registered 3.5 V and 0.2V when checking the direction pins. Does this voltage sound correct? ? I also checked the voltage on the charge pump, and it registered the same.
although I am getting these voltages coming out of the parallel port cable, I am not getting any voltage on the PMDX – 122 board itself. When I try to move an axis.?
? ? From everything I’ve checked so far the problem appears to be either in the PDMX – 122 board itself or some setting in MACH3 that is not set properly.? ? Is there a way I can troubleshoot this board??
I have tried the PMDX forum, but it appears to be having a problem currently.?
any additional help would be greatly appreciated,
?thanks, Chuck? ?
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Hi Chuck, On my PMDX_125 and 126 it’s possible to jumper or disable the need for the charge pump.? To remove one more variable I’d disable that.? Once disabled see if the direction signals into the PMDX-122 are changing to the appropriate Gecko.? I’m assuming the Gecko enable is working because you said your motors were locked. John ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: January 18, 2024 12:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.? I’m still chasing gremlins, but I have some more information that may generate some new ideas. ? There have been a lot of inputs so far and I have addressed them with no joy.?
so here is where I am currently.
Summary:
? I have a PDMX- 122 and Gecko drivers on my Table top TAIG 4 axis milling machine. Using MACH3.? ? It’s been running fine for years and then all of a sudden in the middle of a job it stopped. ? I checked the voltages for the direction pins on the XYZ axis And they each registered 3.5 V and 0.2V when checking the direction pins. Does this voltage sound correct? ? I also checked the voltage on the charge pump, and it registered the same.
although I am getting these voltages coming out of the parallel port cable, I am not getting any voltage on the PMDX – 122 board itself. When I try to move an axis.?
? ? From everything I’ve checked so far the problem appears to be either in the PDMX – 122 board itself or some setting in MACH3 that is not set properly.? ? Is there a way I can troubleshoot this board??
I have tried the PMDX forum, but it appears to be having a problem currently.?
any additional help would be greatly appreciated,
?thanks, Chuck? ?
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
I’m still chasing gremlins, but I have some more information that may generate some new ideas.
?
There have been a lot of inputs so far and I have addressed them with no joy.?
so here is where I am currently.
Summary:
?
I have a PDMX- 122 and Gecko drivers on my Table top TAIG 4 axis milling machine. Using MACH3.?
?
It’s been running fine for years and then all of a sudden in the middle of a job it stopped.
?
I checked the voltages for the direction pins on the XYZ axis And they each registered 3.5 V and 0.2V when checking the direction pins.
Does this voltage sound correct?
?
I also checked the voltage on the charge pump, and it registered the same.
although I am getting these voltages coming out of the parallel port cable, I am not getting any voltage on the PMDX – 122 board itself. When I try to move an axis.?
?
?
From everything I’ve checked so far the problem appears to be either in the PDMX – 122 board itself or some setting in MACH3 that is not set properly.?
?
Is there a way I can troubleshoot this board??
I have tried the PMDX forum, but it appears to be having a problem currently.?
any additional help would be greatly appreciated,
?thanks,
Chuck?
?
|
The PC itself, it is an old Lenovo with a spin type hard drive, and the drive itself is knackered.??
|
Thanks to Peter Homann, ?output #4 flashing red lhas been explained, and it is working as it should work.?
It is tied to “enable mist” ?in “spindle control “.?
?
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Thank you, Peter,
I will keep looking for those gremlins?
Chuck
|
Art
ptegler
