On Tue, Jan 16, 2024 at 5:31?AM Brian <ka9egw@...> wrote:
Thanks to the kindness of a member of another forum I got a fresh copy of mach3mill.xml for the new install of mach3 on a new laptop and everything is happy again.
Thanks to all for their comments and sugestions.
-
Were you ever able to diagnose what had gone screwy? TIA
|
Thanks to the kindness of a member of another forum I got a fresh copy of mach3mill.xml for the new install of mach3 on a new laptop and everything is happy again.
Thanks to all for their comments and sugestions.
-B
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Hi Chuck, Good to hear. ?At least we understand why it is on. The output LEDs on the diagnostic screen indicates what the Mach3 function is doing even if the port/pin is not assigned.?
Other than that, I don’t have an explanation for the other gremlins.?
Cheers? Peter Homann - (from my mobile) http://www.homanndesigns.com
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On 16 Jan 2024, at 2:13?pm, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
? Peter, You were right on relative to the spindle configuration Mist enable.?
So that explains the flashing light on output #4 ?even though I did not have it enabled in the output table. ?
The output assignments all look good.
Other than the XYZ&A Motor assignments. The only other output I have is the Charge pump.?
The strange thing is, this mill has been running fine for years and then, right in the middle of the job, it decided to quit. But for some reason it decided to work for one afternoon after I did some playing around with the configuration and then the next day I was back to the same problem. , i.e no axis movement when commanded, ?only DRO changing.?
Thank you Peter for your input. Chuck
On Jan 15, 2024, at 6:17?PM, Peter Homann <groups@...> wrote:
? Hi Chuck,
A couple of things to check.?
1. Have a look at the spindle configuration tab. See if the mist is enabled and if so what output it is assigned to.? B 2. Check the configuration for the pin assignments for all the output items and the axis outputs. Confirm that there are no double assignments.?
Cheers? Peter Homann - (from my mobile) http://www.homanndesigns.com On 16 Jan 2024, at 12:16?pm, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
? <IMG_8985.jpeg> <IMG_8984.jpeg> Well guys, I had it working for one milling job and the next day I went to do some work milling and I’m back to the same problem. i.e., on command, the axis do not move, although the DRO moves.? the thing that is really strange is if I go into the diagnostics and I click on the Mist i’ll put number four lights up. See attached photos.
?
As you can see in the output chart put number four has no pins or port.?
any ideas what’s going on especially considering I had it working yesterday?
thanks,
Chuck
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Peter, You were right on relative to the spindle configuration Mist enable.?
So that explains the flashing light on output #4 ?even though I did not have it enabled in the output table. ?
The output assignments all look good.
Other than the XYZ&A Motor assignments. The only other output I have is the Charge pump.?
The strange thing is, this mill has been running fine for years and then, right in the middle of the job, it decided to quit. But for some reason it decided to work for one afternoon after I did some playing around with the configuration and then the next day I was back to the same problem. , i.e no axis movement when commanded, ?only DRO changing.?
Thank you Peter for your input. Chuck
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Show quoted text
-sent from my iphone --
On Jan 15, 2024, at 6:17?PM, Peter Homann <groups@...> wrote:
? Hi Chuck,
A couple of things to check.?
1. Have a look at the spindle configuration tab. See if the mist is enabled and if so what output it is assigned to.? B 2. Check the configuration for the pin assignments for all the output items and the axis outputs. Confirm that there are no double assignments.?
Cheers? Peter Homann - (from my mobile) http://www.homanndesigns.com On 16 Jan 2024, at 12:16?pm, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
? <IMG_8985.jpeg> <IMG_8984.jpeg> Well guys, I had it working for one milling job and the next day I went to do some work milling and I’m back to the same problem. i.e., on command, the axis do not move, although the DRO moves.? the thing that is really strange is if I go into the diagnostics and I click on the Mist i’ll put number four lights up. See attached photos.
?
As you can see in the output chart put number four has no pins or port.?
any ideas what’s going on especially considering I had it working yesterday?
thanks,
Chuck
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Hi Chuck,
A couple of things to check.?
1. Have a look at the spindle configuration tab. See if the mist is enabled and if so what output it is assigned to.?
2. Check the configuration for the pin assignments for all the output items and the axis outputs. Confirm that there are no double assignments.?
Cheers? Peter Homann - (from my mobile) http://www.homanndesigns.com
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 16 Jan 2024, at 12:16?pm, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:
? <IMG_8985.jpeg> <IMG_8984.jpeg> Well guys, I had it working for one milling job and the next day I went to do some work milling and I’m back to the same problem. i.e., on command, the axis do not move, although the DRO moves.? the thing that is really strange is if I go into the diagnostics and I click on the Mist i’ll put number four lights up. See attached photos.
?
As you can see in the output chart put number four has no pins or port.?
any ideas what’s going on especially considering I had it working yesterday?
thanks,
Chuck
|
  This is the second posting on the same problem that I thought had been resolved., But it’s not. ?
I’ve narrowed it down to something that I believe might be causing Mach3 not to work.?
?
Configuration: windowsXP, PMDX122 parallel port motion controller, Taig desk top mill.?
?
Been running this configuration for years and all of a sudden it quit working.?
?
Tried lots of things to get it running again, with no success.?
?
Here is something I think is unusual that may lead to the solution .
?
When I run the diagnostics with Mach3 and I click on the “mist toggle“, the red ?light on output #4 flashes on and off. See attached photo.?
?
This should not happen since I do not have output # 4 enabled in the “output list”, see attached photo.?
?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,
Chuck?
?
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Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Correction,
“?the thing that is really strange is if I go into the diagnostics and I click on the Mist i’ll put number four lights up. See attached photos.”
this should read “?the strange thing is if I go into the diagnostics and I click on the Mist ?output number 4 ?lights up.”
?
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Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
  Well guys, I had it working for one milling job and the next day I went to do some work milling and I’m back to the same problem. i.e., on command, the axis do not move, although the DRO moves.? the thing that is really strange is if I go into the diagnostics and I click on the Mist i’ll put number four lights up. See attached photos.
?
As you can see in the output chart put number four has no pins or port.?
any ideas what’s going on especially considering I had it working yesterday?
thanks,
Chuck
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
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Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: January 13, 2024 9:48 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.? the Port number and configuration was OK.?
I could not get the last screen to show on motion, control options., see below, ?but whatever I did, made it work.
I really appreciate all your suggestions to get my machine running and I’m pleased that it’s back in business.?
thank you so much for sticking with me till we got to the
solution of this problem.
 i
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Thanks for your input Roland, As you will note, it’s up and running again. Regards,? Chuck
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-sent from my iphone --
On Jan 13, 2024, at 7:47?PM, Roland Jollivet <Roland.Jollivet@...> wrote:
?
And have you checked that the parallel port is the correct setting, EPP or whatever, can't remember.. Also, try one of those simple apps like Parport, which allows you to look at the port pins independent of Mach
Roland
On Sun, 14 Jan 2024 at 05:03, Chuck Kahler < chuck767@...> wrote: According to the device manager, the port is working properly.
Not sure where, in Mach3, I can see what port it is connected to. ?
Anybody have any guidance on where I would find within Mach3 what port it is connected to?
?
Have you checked to make sure mach3 is connected to the right port?
And in device manager of your computer the ports are working and not showing a fault??
I've had this happen.
It was several years ago so well have to dig into archived memories might take a bit.?
But I'm sure it's a setting in mach3 it's a check box or something like that.....
Pretty sure it's in the stepper tab settings,? hopefully this sparks someone's memory or even mine.?
?Good luck!?
Bertho
Thanks for your input.?
I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves. ?
I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help.?
So I’m at a ?loss as to what is going on ?
Chuck?
?
I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.
Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:
Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?? The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.
If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.
If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.
If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.
Does the air/gas turn on off?
Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.
Good luck!
Bertho
?
?
Thank you for the detailed response,?
I will do what you suggest and report back to the group.?
?There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do
not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should
be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder
on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops
without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.
Martin C
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
John,
It’s working. ?
the Port number and configuration was OK.?
I could not get the last screen to show on motion, control options., see below, ?but whatever I did, made it work.
?
I really appreciate all your suggestions to get my machine running and I’m pleased that it’s back in business.?
thank you so much for sticking with me till we got to the
solution of this problem.
Chuck
?
?
 i
|
Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
And have you checked that the parallel port is the correct setting, EPP or whatever, can't remember.. Also, try one of those simple apps like Parport, which allows you to look at the port pins independent of Mach
Roland
On Sun, 14 Jan 2024 at 05:03, Chuck Kahler < chuck767@...> wrote: According to the device manager, the port is working properly.
Not sure where, in Mach3, I can see what port it is connected to. ?
Anybody have any guidance on where I would find within Mach3 what port it is connected to?
?
Have you checked to make sure mach3 is connected to the right port?
And in device manager of your computer the ports are working and not showing a fault??
I've had this happen.
It was several years ago so well have to dig into archived memories might take a bit.?
But I'm sure it's a setting in mach3 it's a check box or something like that.....
Pretty sure it's in the stepper tab settings,? hopefully this sparks someone's memory or even mine.?
?Good luck!?
Bertho
Thanks for your input.?
I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves. ?
I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help.?
So I’m at a ?loss as to what is going on ?
Chuck?
?
I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.
Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:
Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?? The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.
If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.
If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.
If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.
Does the air/gas turn on off?
Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.
Good luck!
Bertho
?
?
Thank you for the detailed response,?
I will do what you suggest and report back to the group.?
?There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do
not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should
be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder
on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops
without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.
Martin C
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Under MACH3 the config screen shows which port is Port #1 and the port address. ? 
? That should match what you see in Device Manager (here from a WIN-XP system) 
? Another thing to check is start MACH3 with the MACH3 Loader program instead of an ICON marked MACH3.? You’ll get this sort of dialog then. 
If something other than normal printer port operation is selected then that needs to be restored to the printer port. ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: January 13, 2024 7:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.? According to the device manager, the port is working properly. Not sure where, in Mach3, I can see what port it is connected to. ? Anybody have any guidance on where I would find within Mach3 what port it is connected to? ?
On Jan 13, 2024, at 1:32?PM, Shawn Olson <Shawnolson@...> wrote: ? Have you checked to make sure mach3 is connected to the right port? And in device manager of your computer the ports are working and not showing a fault?? It was several years ago so well have to dig into archived memories might take a bit.? But I'm sure it's a setting in mach3 it's a check box or something like that..... Pretty sure it's in the stepper tab settings,? hopefully this sparks someone's memory or even mine.? ? ? I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves. ? I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help.? So I’m at a ?loss as to what is going on ? ? ? I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions. Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem: Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?? The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead. If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change. If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port. If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used. Does the air/gas turn on off? Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work. Good luck! Bertho ? ? Thank you for the detailed response,? I will do what you suggest and report back to the group.? ?There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.
Martin C
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
According to the device manager, the port is working properly.
Not sure where, in Mach3, I can see what port it is connected to. ?
Anybody have any guidance on where I would find within Mach3 what port it is connected to?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-sent from my iphone --
On Jan 13, 2024, at 1:32?PM, Shawn Olson <Shawnolson@...> wrote:
?
Have you checked to make sure mach3 is connected to the right port?
And in device manager of your computer the ports are working and not showing a fault??
I've had this happen.
It was several years ago so well have to dig into archived memories might take a bit.?
But I'm sure it's a setting in mach3 it's a check box or something like that.....
Pretty sure it's in the stepper tab settings,? hopefully this sparks someone's memory or even mine.?
?Good luck!?
Bertho
Thanks for your input.?
I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves. ?
I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help.?
So I’m at a ?loss as to what is going on ?
Chuck?
?
I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.
Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:
Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?? The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.
If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.
If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.
If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.
Does the air/gas turn on off?
Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.
Good luck!
Bertho
?
?
Thank you for the detailed response,?
I will do what you suggest and report back to the group.?
?There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do
not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should
be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder
on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops
without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.
Martin C
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
They don't work, Mach3 needs a real parallel port.
Those adapters screw up the timing for the stepper pulses, I guess they'd work ok for simple stuff like turning air or coolant on & off.? Not sure I'd trust it for limit switches (again, timing problems).
Tony
You could try one of these, not sure if Mach3 will recognize it though....
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Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
??? I like how Amazon is stepping up with the " frequently
returned item " on the listing page
??? animal
On 1/13/24 2:17 PM, sdmonaco via
groups.io wrote:
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Show quoted text
You could try one of these,
not sure if Mach3 will recognize it though....
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Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
You could try one of these, not sure if Mach3 will recognize it though....
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Have you checked to make sure mach3 is connected to the right port?
And in device manager of your computer the ports are working and not showing a fault??
I've had this happen.
It was several years ago so well have to dig into archived memories might take a bit.?
But I'm sure it's a setting in mach3 it's a check box or something like that.....
Pretty sure it's in the stepper tab settings,? hopefully this sparks someone's memory or even mine.?
?Good luck!?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Bertho
Thanks for your input.?
I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves. ?
I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help.?
So I’m at a ?loss as to what is going on ?
Chuck?
?
I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.
Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:
Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?? The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.
If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.
If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.
If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.
Does the air/gas turn on off?
Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.
Good luck!
Bertho
?
?
Thank you for the detailed response,?
I will do what you suggest and report back to the group.?
?There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do
not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should
be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder
on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops
without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.
Martin C
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
I've had this happen.
It was several years ago so well have to dig into archived memories might take a bit.?
But I'm sure it's a setting in mach3 it's a check box or something like that.....
Pretty sure it's in the stepper tab settings,? hopefully this sparks someone's memory or even mine.?
?Good luck!?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Bertho
Thanks for your input.?
I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves. ?
I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help.?
So I’m at a ?loss as to what is going on ?
Chuck?
?
I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.
Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:
Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?? The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.
If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.
If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.
If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.
Does the air/gas turn on off?
Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.
Good luck!
Bertho
?
?
Thank you for the detailed response,?
I will do what you suggest and report back to the group.?
?There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do
not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should
be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder
on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops
without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.
Martin C
|
Re: Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.
Bertho
Read the latest that I sent John, I think it addresses your initial questions.
As for the motors locking up, yes they do lock up when the machine is turned on.?
Thanks, Chuck
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Show quoted text
-sent from my iphone --
On Jan 13, 2024, at 1:14?PM, Bertho <boman33@...> wrote:
? Chuck, OK so Mach3 appears to run. If you watch the status LEDs for the gas or coolant, they should change when clicking the respective button?? on/off. Measure the corresponding pin on the printer port with the machine disconnected.? The matching pins should also toggle between high and low. The gas / coolant should activate if they are connected on the machine. If you are running a program, the direction pins should be switching. ? An independent quick check that your controller/driver is working: With power off, you should be able to manually turn an axel. Power on and Mach3 enabled but not running a program, try to turn the same axel. If locked, the stepper & the driver are active. Also, the motors should get warm. Bertho ? ? I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves. ? I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help.? So I’m at a ?loss as to what is going on ?
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