Problem with switching computers

[LockTech]

I decided to start using my desktop instead of my laptop to run Mach3 and having a little difficulty getting everything set up correctly. I am using a smoothstepper and realized I needed to get the plugin on the desktop, so now my axis are moving as they should be.

I still cannot get the spindle rpms to read or for that matter the spindle wont start by gcode either, I can start it manually but it still wont display the rpms.

I have looked at every setting I could find between the within Mach3 on the two comps and everything looks the same. I figure this is a simple fix as I am probably overlooking a software setting somewhere, any ideas on what I am missing?

Thanks

Keith

[audioandy1762]

Keith

Go into Plugin Control Tab at the top of Mach screen and select the smoothstepper in there you will see three options for your spindle make sure the one you want is checked (on my machine is step and direction)

Andy

[LockTech]

Thanks Andy for the reply. I did take a look at that screen. I thought that would do it for sure, I changed the spindle screen check box to indicate relay or none. It was on step & dir.

I thought for sure this would do it because the laptop was set on relay or none as well, but no dice yet.

Any other ideas?

[LockTech]

any other ideas anyone? I can post info if that wouold help.

[audioandy1762]

Hi Keith

Have you used your original XML file from your laptop or have you setup a new Mach profile.
Did you use the smoothstepper with your laptop?

Andy

[LockTech]

I used the xml file that I received on a jump drive when I bought the mill (used). I suppose there could have been some settings that got changed over the course of time, but not that I remember.

I did use the smoothstepper with the laptop as well.

Can you tell me how to save a current xml file and I'll try loading it into the desktop and see if that helps.

[MarshaJ847]

On the laptop, usually in the C:\Mach3 folder, will be a series of XML files, e.g. Mach3Mill, Mach3Turn, Plasma.

Copy whatever name you have used for your machine's profile to a jumpdrive and copy it onto your desktop in the same folder.

Marsha

[LockTech]

Marsha,

Thanks tried that out, unfortunately it has the same results.

I did notice that whenever the mill is set to manually control the spindle the rpm's displayed in Mach3 with go from 0 to 1 and stay at one regardless of what speed the spindle is actually turning at. Not sure how this is relevant, but it only does it on the desktop. If I immediately disconnect and use the laptop, the rpms and spindle control normally.

[audioandy1762]

Hi Keith

Seems a strange one this. Just to make sure you are using the same XML file I would make a copy of your laptop profile and call it something like "My desktop" then go to the config tab and at the bottom click on save settings.
then go into your mach directory and find the folder called XML Backups the file extension will be .xb followed by a number you should see the profile you have just created.

Copy this file then rename it with a .xml extension then paste it into your desktop Mach directory.

hope you sort this out soon.

Andy

PS when you launch mach loader you should now see the new profile name.

[LockTech]

Andy, that did it, I gues something wasn't getting copied over correctly before. Whew what a pain it is to manually control the spindle lol.
I do have a minor problem still I can take a look at tomorrow and see what I find, but since I'm posting the followup to this problem; while the spindle turns on now from the gcode the rps still are reading just 1 when the spindle is on at any speed.

Again this is minor compared to before so thanks so much.