Need Help!- E-Stop, Probotix PBX-RF, and Mach3

[jeffmorris]

I bought the 3-Axis ProboStep Stepper Motor Driver Kit with 200 oz. in. stepper motors and E-Stop switch from Probotix. I ran into problems trying to wire the E-Stop switch to the PBX-RF board. I think that the PBX-RF board expects an E-Stop switch that's normally open, not normally closed. On the wiring diagram for the PBX-2 CNC Parallel Port Breakout Board, the E-Stop switch is connected to pins 10 and GND. On the wiring diagram for the PBX-RF RF Isolated CNC Breakout Board, the E-Stop switch is connected to pins 15 and GND. Pin 15 is on the top half of the isolation plane and the rest of the input pins are on the bottom half of the isolation plane. I think that the limit switches trigger the E-Stop signal. I need help in wiring the E-Stop switch to the PBX-RF board. The E-Stop switch with enclosure that I bought is on this link: http://www.probotix.com/limit_and_estop_switches/ The labels on the switch are: APDIQI, NB2-BE102, (NC), .1 (drawing of closed switch) .2 When I hit the E-Stop button, I must turn the button to reset it. Any suggestions?

[cueshark]

it is normal to have to turn an e stop switch after pushing it in to make it work.
greg

[spikeinin]

On the wiring diagram for the PBX-2 CNC Parallel Port Breakout Board, the E-Stop switch is connected to pins 10 and GND.

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Ip pbx

[analogman]

E stop switches should be NC - thats so if a wire breaks it will stop the machine. You may just need to set Mach3 so that the e-stop switch is the opposite to what it currently is (I am thinking it should be active high - but not too sure).


It is also normal to reset an e-stop switch by having to untwist it and let it out.

[voxelman]

I am having a similar problem. I have the PBX-RF board and I have it wired with two limit switches or-ed (connected normally closed) on pin 10 for X, 11 for Y and 12 for Z on the non-isolated side of the board and on pin 15 for e-stop on the isolated side of the board. I've also made sure that I am using the ground on the isolated side of the board for pin 15 for e-stop. When I have the e-stop function enabled in the ports and pins input section of the Mach 3 something seems to generate a spurious e-stop signal shutting everything down.

I know that in order for the limit switch inputs to work they have to have a jumper set that provides a pull-up to 5v. Does an external pull-up resistor need to be installed on the isolated side for it to work correctly? I note that there is an unused position for a capacitor on the isolated side near the GND and +5V terminals.

[voxelman]

Another data point on this problem. I connected the E-stop switch to the isolated pin 13 and everything works correctly. This makes me suspect that I have a defective PBX-RF card or that this is a congenital problem with the card.

[kolias]

I also have the PBX-RF BOB, nice board

Connect the Estop (NC switch) to pin 15 as shown in the manual and use the ground next to USB connector (to the right of pin #15)

In mach3 /config / ports & pins /input signals, assign pin #15 to Estop.

Mine now works good like that

Pin #10 shown in Fig 5 of the manual as Estop, to my opinion is wrong
Nicolas

[voxelman]

Hi Nicolas,

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, this is the way that I have it connected. It is curious that there is no pull-up resistor required. I've since changed the wiring so that the E-stop wire pair is separate from the limit switch wires. This has greatly reduced the incidence of spurious triggers but they still seem to happen occasionally. I've been too busy with other work to pursue it further.

[kolias]

Originally Posted by voxelman Hi Nicolas, Thank you for the reply. Yes, this is the way that I have it connected. It is curious that there is no pull-up resistor required. I've since changed the wiring so that the E-stop wire pair is separate from the limit switch wires. This has greatly reduced the incidence of spurious triggers but they still seem to happen occasionally. I've been too busy with other work to pursue it further.

As far as I know there is a 1k pull up resistor in the board and if you dont need it you simply remove JP5 jumper
Nicolas

[voxelman]

Originally Posted by kolias As far as I know there is a 1k pull up resistor in the board and if you dont need it you simply remove JP5 jumper Nicolas

According to to the schematic in the PBX-RF manual JP5 only applies pull-ups to the isolated pins 10, 11, 12 and 13. As far as I can see Pin 15 of the parallel port is wired directly to the terminal screw with no other connections.

Murray

[kolias]

Is mach3 configured with pin #15 for the Estop?

Did you try both active low / high settings?

As for the spurious Estop signals I cant help any further. I'm new to CNC and I can only say what works for me since we got the same board. I will also check the switch itself for any leakage thru the contacts.

Did you communicate with Probotix about your problem? I find their service to be above excellent.
Nicolas

[coldwaterak]

For anyone that is following this thread and using the Probotix PBX-RF boards...

I ran into the same problem on my setup but then switched over to pin 15 and the ground on the isolated side. Everything works fine now.

Before I had set my e-stop up on pin 10, and would also have sporadic signal loss and have my whole operation stop.

Also if anyone has switched over to pin 15 and are still having problems, you might want to try increasing the debounce value to 1000 or even 1500.