Running a SpectraLight 0200 from the parallel port

[shannon_haworth]

Typically the SpectraLight 0200 mill uses a custom ISA or PCI card to interface the computer with the controller. These cards are not supported under EMC2.

I've successfully interfaced the factory controller with a standard parallel port, eliminating the need to use the OEM interface card. Currently I have control of all three axis, as well as spindle on/off control. I have cut a few pieces from foam and the results were perfect.

Details are available on this page.

I plan to extend the cable to support ESTOP (keyboard and mushroom switch) as well as spindle speed control. Currently speed is controlled with the manual switch.

[chester88]

I just wanted to say nice job.
And ya I a, surprised this hasn't been done before too.

Chris M

[shannon_haworth]

Have you tried the mod yourself? I'm anxious to gather feedback.

[rexhunt]

Hopefully soon I will be able to give some feedback about the effectivness of this process, as I am working on trying to work out weather the X axis stepper is dead during D&T.

[shannon_haworth]

Originally Posted by rexhunt Hopefully soon I will be able to give some feedback about the effectivness of this process, as I am working on trying to work out weather the X axis stepper is dead during D&T.

Well, good luck and I hope it goes well. If you need any readings from a working system, let me know.

[shannon_haworth]

I've received feedback from several people. On the whole the mod seems very reliable. There is one issue, and it poses a very significant safety risk. The parallel port, when not being controlled by controller software, often defaults to a state that causes the spindle to activate.

Put another way, the spindle may turn on as the system boots, or at any time the controller software isn't running.

This has significant potential to injure someone. Especially if you turn your computer on, and decide to change tools while waiting for the computer to boot.

I am testing a circuit board which will eliminate this possibility. In the meantime, turn the controller box off when changing tools.

[samco]

that is usually why the interface (or a simple break out board) has what is call a charge pump - or watch dog. Unless it is getting constant signal from the control software - the board will not enable. (like a 10khz signal or such)

sam

[shannon_haworth]

Originally Posted by samco that is usually why the interface (or a simple break out board) has what is call a charge pump - or watch dog. Unless it is getting constant signal from the control software - the board will not enable. (like a 10khz signal or such) sam

Sam,

Thanks for that insight. I planned to place a microprocessor (attiny2313) on the breakout board. However, I didn't realize the significance of the charge pump. This bit of info makes things MUCH easier. Thanks again.

Shannon

[Fastest1]

When are you going to teach the rest of us how to interface with say a Dyna 2400? Maybe so I could drip feed it? Actually I would rather run Mach 3 directly into it but I dont know what is possible. I do know my machine works but I dont have a way of communicating with it in its present arrangement. Tips? I had a Spectralight and would have been glad to try your mods but I converted it over before your work.

[rashmi]

hi,
My name is Rashmi,
I have a cnc of fanuc om of Technics.I have a repetative problem that my cnc give troble while starting . It gives the error 401 vrdy off servo problem with the alarm light blinking . I am very much suffered from this problem.My consultant also can't solvw the problem.can anybody help me?

[shannon_haworth]

Originally Posted by Fastest1 When are you going to teach the rest of us how to interface with say a Dyna 2400? Maybe so I could drip feed it? Actually I would rather run Mach 3 directly into it but I dont know what is possible. I do know my machine works but I dont have a way of communicating with it in its present arrangement. Tips? I had a Spectralight and would have been glad to try your mods but I converted it over before your work.

I had a huge advantage, the mill and the legacy control card and software were all working perfectly. Reverse engineering it was trivial because all I had to do was attach an oscilloscope and observe the signal changes. Without a working set-up, I'm not sure this would have been possible.

The irony is that this project came about as I was starting a conversion over to a commercial controller. I had no intention of attempting to build a cross-over cable for parallel port operation. I was of the opinion that if it was possible someone would have already done it. In fact I located several posts here where people stated they planned to do just that and then nothing. In my mind it must be impossible, or well beyond my feeble skills, or it would have been solved already.

I had my eyes set on a gecko (can't go wrong with them from what I can tell) controller and was comparing steppers. I was curious if I could salvage the power supply and save a little $$$. So I attached the oscilloscope and after a few minutes of observing signals on the cable it became apparent that a parallel port could reproduce the signals.

That Dyna looks like a nice little mill. If it uses steppers a conversion shouldn't be too difficult. But you know that already I'm new to machining, and purchased mine to drill PCB boards and cut openings in enclosures. Now I've been bitten by the bug.

Just a few minutes ago the FedEx guy handed me a box of components from the mail order electronics company (Jameco). Time to build a circuit with minimal safety features like charge pump (awful name) support and the all important blinking lights.

Of course I'll release the design for others to use / improve.

Good luck with the Dyna, update me with progress. That looks like a great little mill.

[federicoortiz12]

Hi Shannon!! Me and a couple of friends are doing the exact thing as you. So far we can control the speed of the spindle trough PWM but we haven't been able to move the steppers (

We built a board (the breakout board) that's looking pretty good so far.
The features we're trying to implement are:
PWM to DC control of the spindle .............................. OK
10 3mm red leds indicating speed of spinlde................. OK
Leds indicating direction and step ........................ OK

Only problem is that we cant seem to get the steppers to move. Any chance you could post a picture of your controller board? We've noticed a few jumpers missing on the board and we were wondering if that could be the problem

Here are some pics of our work so far pic1 pic2



There's one with your name on it Shannon