Hello All, I finally connected my new board to the computer after testing it with a 555 chip and the motor stepped like it was suppose to but now that it is connected the computer it will not step. I noticed that the input ports are either high or low but shouldn
The cycling might be too fast to measure with a multimeter. I use TurboCNC, it has a port monitor with which you can set and check pin states. Sending one step at a time would make it easier for you to check.
Also make sure the voltage levels of your parallel port are high enough.
Also make sure the voltage levels of your parallel port are high enough.
Mikromike, I have never used the software package you are using, so I cannot comment on that. However, I did want to mention that by testing functionality with the 555, you have verified your CNC hardware is ok and that the problem is isolated to the computer. Are you sure the software is sending pulses to the correct port pins? I always recommend making a small board with LEDs on it to connect to the computer port for testing the pulses before connecting to any hardware. It sure makes life a lot easier.
ALSO NOTE: The normal speed that is used to turn a stepper is too fast to view the individual pulses on LED or with a volt meter (as greekpic has stated). You always have to slow the pulses down to a very slow speed to be able to watch them. If your software has this capability (and most do) then you will be able to see the pulses at the port.
MP
ALSO NOTE: The normal speed that is used to turn a stepper is too fast to view the individual pulses on LED or with a volt meter (as greekpic has stated). You always have to slow the pulses down to a very slow speed to be able to watch them. If your software has this capability (and most do) then you will be able to see the pulses at the port.
MP
GreekPic, something wrong with your board or with the Schematic?
See the diodes directions.
View attachment 36181
See the diodes directions.
View attachment 36181
I'm not sure what you mean exactly. Both in the board and the schematic there are four diodes per axis facing from pins 1,3,6,8 towards the motors which are connected to the green terminals, to answer your previous question. Pins 2 and 5 on the connectors are common, so if you have a 5 wire motor you leave one unused. I'm pretty sure I got it right since it works.
The 4k& networks are 1+7, pin 1 goes to the square on the layout picture (I overlaid the layout on the PCB and printed it, it really helps).
My TurboCNC settings are:
[AXIS1]
Designator=X
StepIncrement=0.001000000000
IsLinear=True
IsStep/Dir=True
PortAddress=$378
StepPin=2
IsActiveLow=False
Pulsewidth=15
DirPin=3
LowIsPositive=False
Acceleration=1500.000000000000
StartSpeed=400.000000000000
MaxSpeed=2500.000000000000
Fast_Jog=500.000000000000
Slow_Jog=50.000000000000
HomePosition=0.000000000000
HomeInPositiveDir=false
InvertJogKeys=NO
[AXIS2]
Designator=Y
StepIncrement=0.001000000000
IsLinear=True
IsStep/Dir=True
PortAddress=$378
StepPin=4
IsActiveLow=False
Pulsewidth=25
DirPin=5
LowIsPositive=False
Acceleration=2500.000000000000
StartSpeed=500.000000000000
MaxSpeed=5500.000000000000
Fast_Jog=500.000000000000
Slow_Jog=50.000000000000
HomePosition=0.000000000000
HomeInPositiveDir=false
InvertJogKeys=NO
[AXIS3]
Designator=Z
StepIncrement=0.001000000000
IsLinear=True
IsStep/Dir=True
PortAddress=$378
StepPin=6
IsActiveLow=False
Pulsewidth=25
DirPin=7
LowIsPositive=False
Acceleration=2500.000000000000
StartSpeed=500.000000000000
MaxSpeed=5500.000000000000
Fast_Jog=500.000000000000
Slow_Jog=50.000000000000
HomePosition=0.000000000000
HomeInPositiveDir=false
InvertJogKeys=NO
This is a part of my Turbocnc.ini file. I haven't tried to find the best setting for speed and acceleration yet. Also as you can see I've tried a pulsewidth of 15 and 25 ms, both work fine and I think it can go lower (for better performance).
Hope that helps,
Nikolas
The 4k& networks are 1+7, pin 1 goes to the square on the layout picture (I overlaid the layout on the PCB and printed it, it really helps).
My TurboCNC settings are:
[AXIS1]
Designator=X
StepIncrement=0.001000000000
IsLinear=True
IsStep/Dir=True
PortAddress=$378
StepPin=2
IsActiveLow=False
Pulsewidth=15
DirPin=3
LowIsPositive=False
Acceleration=1500.000000000000
StartSpeed=400.000000000000
MaxSpeed=2500.000000000000
Fast_Jog=500.000000000000
Slow_Jog=50.000000000000
HomePosition=0.000000000000
HomeInPositiveDir=false
InvertJogKeys=NO
[AXIS2]
Designator=Y
StepIncrement=0.001000000000
IsLinear=True
IsStep/Dir=True
PortAddress=$378
StepPin=4
IsActiveLow=False
Pulsewidth=25
DirPin=5
LowIsPositive=False
Acceleration=2500.000000000000
StartSpeed=500.000000000000
MaxSpeed=5500.000000000000
Fast_Jog=500.000000000000
Slow_Jog=50.000000000000
HomePosition=0.000000000000
HomeInPositiveDir=false
InvertJogKeys=NO
[AXIS3]
Designator=Z
StepIncrement=0.001000000000
IsLinear=True
IsStep/Dir=True
PortAddress=$378
StepPin=6
IsActiveLow=False
Pulsewidth=25
DirPin=7
LowIsPositive=False
Acceleration=2500.000000000000
StartSpeed=500.000000000000
MaxSpeed=5500.000000000000
Fast_Jog=500.000000000000
Slow_Jog=50.000000000000
HomePosition=0.000000000000
HomeInPositiveDir=false
InvertJogKeys=NO
This is a part of my Turbocnc.ini file. I haven't tried to find the best setting for speed and acceleration yet. Also as you can see I've tried a pulsewidth of 15 and 25 ms, both work fine and I think it can go lower (for better performance).
Hope that helps,
Nikolas
Hi, First time posting here, but I have a quick question.
I have made the pcb and I am just about to populate it. Someone suggested to me that I should use opto-isolators to protect the motherboard from power spikes.
Is this necessary?
Has anyone else had this happen?
Has anyone redesigned the board to have opto-couplers?
Thanks for your help.
David
I have made the pcb and I am just about to populate it. Someone suggested to me that I should use opto-isolators to protect the motherboard from power spikes.
Is this necessary?
Has anyone else had this happen?
Has anyone redesigned the board to have opto-couplers?
Thanks for your help.
David
I hope people still read this forum, haven't had an answer to the above question yet.
Anyway, here's another one regarding limit switches.
Attached is an altered version of a diagram that was posted earlier, what I need to know is, with three limit switches for x,y and z are they wired in series as shown. (excuse the poor artwork)
View attachment 36354
Anyway, here's another one regarding limit switches.
Attached is an altered version of a diagram that was posted earlier, what I need to know is, with three limit switches for x,y and z are they wired in series as shown. (excuse the poor artwork)
View attachment 36354
David,
The forum was loading pages real slow for a week or so and people were not posting. In answer to your question about opto-isolators, some recommend to never connect your PC to the outside world without isolation. However, I never use isolation on my personal devices and I take a high chance by doing so. When producing something that others will use or build, I always add isolation in case something gets mis-wired. All of my CNC equipment is used on older type computers which use cheap parallel port cards. The worst that can happen in such a case is to ruin the card and replace it with another. I might add that I have never burned up a card or had to replace one. If you are making something to connect to your $1500 home computer, then you might ask yourself: Do I really want to replace the motherboard? Usually in newer PCs, the parallel port circuit is embedded on the motherboard.
MP
The forum was loading pages real slow for a week or so and people were not posting. In answer to your question about opto-isolators, some recommend to never connect your PC to the outside world without isolation. However, I never use isolation on my personal devices and I take a high chance by doing so. When producing something that others will use or build, I always add isolation in case something gets mis-wired. All of my CNC equipment is used on older type computers which use cheap parallel port cards. The worst that can happen in such a case is to ruin the card and replace it with another. I might add that I have never burned up a card or had to replace one. If you are making something to connect to your $1500 home computer, then you might ask yourself: Do I really want to replace the motherboard? Usually in newer PCs, the parallel port circuit is embedded on the motherboard.
MP
Hi to all of you, i know that i'm late but please, be patience....
How works the Home switch?? The driver goes around until some sensor tell that it is the home position or else??
Do i have to set up the home position each time?? if yes HOW?? i can't handly move the axies...
The driver works with home switch open, closed or they are irrelevant??
Thank you for any answer.
KingKanzor
How works the Home switch?? The driver goes around until some sensor tell that it is the home position or else??
Do i have to set up the home position each time?? if yes HOW?? i can't handly move the axies...
The driver works with home switch open, closed or they are irrelevant??
Thank you for any answer.
KingKanzor
Ok, I've built the board, the cnc and I'm using Kcam.
I have configured the pins on the LPT port.
When I jog the different axis, I get movement at the correct motor, but, the motor won't turn in either direction.
While I am jogging the axis, I can move the motor either way with a little pressure (less than when it's just enabled).
I am using 5 wire steppers out of printers and I used the resistance method to work out which wire was which. Then I used a 12vdc power supply to step the motor by touching the negative wires one by one until I worked out the sequence for a full turn.
I have attached the wires to the board in this order with 1 being in position 1 (looking at the back of the connectors with the wires pointing at you, and the power in position 2, then wire 2 in 3 etc.
Do I have these position wrong?
The home and limit switches all show up in Kcam's Port I/O data screen as working.
I am using the 12vdc rail from an AT power supply.
I think I've covered all the details.
Hopefully someone can offer a solution.
Thanks
David
I have configured the pins on the LPT port.
When I jog the different axis, I get movement at the correct motor, but, the motor won't turn in either direction.
While I am jogging the axis, I can move the motor either way with a little pressure (less than when it's just enabled).
I am using 5 wire steppers out of printers and I used the resistance method to work out which wire was which. Then I used a 12vdc power supply to step the motor by touching the negative wires one by one until I worked out the sequence for a full turn.
I have attached the wires to the board in this order with 1 being in position 1 (looking at the back of the connectors with the wires pointing at you, and the power in position 2, then wire 2 in 3 etc.
Do I have these position wrong?
The home and limit switches all show up in Kcam's Port I/O data screen as working.
I am using the 12vdc rail from an AT power supply.
I think I've covered all the details.
Hopefully someone can offer a solution.
Thanks
David
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