CNC Mini Mill _Cant get started

[Lou Craven]

So far I have fashioned mounts for all four motors and they fit neatly. I have moved them all into my computer room due to the chill in my garage. I have them all hooked up on my computer table. I am trying to make them run by ysing TurboCNC software. So far I can get the diagnostic screen to come up and it says consider unloading tools like HIMEM.sys and EMM386.sys from the system but I don't know how to do that. It also says Problem, can't find tool file. After that I seem to be able to get all the operating files to come up. I need someone to tell me how to first get a motor to run. Up to now they will all lock up when the system is turned on but that is where it all stops. I can't even get the jog motor thing to work. Can anyone help me. No highly technical language, please.

[Jay C]

Originally Posted by Lou Craven So far I can get the diagnostic screen to come up and it says consider unloading tools like HIMEM.sys and EMM386.sys from the system but I don't know how to do that.

Well this seems a bit off topic for this thread but it's too easy not to answer. TurboCNC runs in DOS and thus you need to boot the PC into DOS, not run it in a DOS window. That said, all system drivers like the two memory management ones you listed are loaded via the config.sys file. All you need is a simple text editor (if you are using MSDOS 6.2 then the command is edit.com). However I get the feeling you are in windows. Better to download Mach3 and use it instead

It also says Problem, can't find tool file. After that I seem to be able to get all the operating files to come up. I need someone to tell me how to first get a motor to run. Up to now they will all lock up when the system is turned on but that is where it all stops. I can't even get the jog motor thing to work. Can anyone help me. No highly technical language, please.

I tried TurboCNC 2 years ago and thus can't recall what I did. However, you never mention what driver board you are using.

Jay

[Lou Craven]

Thank you very much, Jay C. I shall indeed make use of your advice. I will do anything to get this thing going. Lou Craven.

[Jay C]

Lou, you didn't confirm if my assumptions were correct about Windows. www.artofcnc.com is the place to get Mach. Have a look at your tutorial videos to understand and get up to speed quickly.

Jay

[Lou Craven]

Jay, I sincerely appreciate your interest in helping me. I am totally unschooled in the computer and it takes me eons to accomplish some seemingly simple tasks. I had previouslty bought an old computer in a thrift shop which I intended to use as a dedicated part of the CNC thing. Tonight I decided to try it and to my surprise, it has the original DOS . AS I answer. your input, I am trying to see if I can accomplish anything by going that route. Again, thank you. Lou Craven

[Jay C]

No problem. Edit.exe or edit.com should be in the path so once you boot up you'll see a c:> prompt

you can type type config.sys to get a listing of the configuration file. same for the autoexec.bat file

Jay

[Lou Craven]

Jay, Again, thank you. I wasn't having any luck with my "dedicated" computer. I tried downloading the application to a floppy but did not have any luck after the C Prompt. I am all shot down for today but swill try your latest suggestions tomorrow. good night. Lou Craven

[kochevnik]

I use TurboCNC (TCNC) and like it a lot. If you got the can't find tool message (ignore it for now - I still don't use a tool file), I think you have already managed to start the TCNC software. I run it in DOS but I believe it can also be run in Windows, it will just be less stable. The reason you motors are not turning is most likely that you have not set up the configuration file - it's name TURBOCNC.INI and you can edit it manually, or use the Configuration menu at the top of the screen. You will need to know which pin on your parallel port has the step signal and which has the direction as well as what the pitch is on your lead/ball screw. Concentrate on getting just one motor to turn and then the others will fall in place.

There is a pretty good Yahoo Group for TCNC :

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/turbocnc/

They can give you more help.