Problems with demo of Mach

[tt_raptor_90]

Hi,

I downloaded the functional demo to test out my stepper motors and I will be purchasing the software but would like to get some advice from more experienced users.

I tested my setup: Dell Latitude, 1800 Pentium Mobile with IMS483 stepper driver. The stepper motor would run very choppy and the max speed was around 70 before it would lose steps. Also, the pulse frequency would vary between 45000 and 60000.

Then I tested it on a desktop: AMD Ahtlon 1900 with the same driver and everything was perfect. The motor could go up to 210 ipm without losing any steps and the pulse was at a constant 26000.

Has anyone had these kind of problems? Also, the liscence file is for one machine only, so should I just use a desktop?

Thanks

Sebastian

[diecutter]

When you buy the software you can use it on multiple computers to run all your machines. Just copy the license file to the Mach2/3 program on each computer. I have Mach 2 running a metal cutting vertical mill on one computer and running
a four axis wood router from another computer.

[badillion]

Sometimes laptops have problems because their parallel ports do not handle the voltage the program requires correctly. More detail is in the operation manual for mach3. You should be able to find more information on the support website at http://www.machsupport.com/.

[esmiller]

Diecutter is correct. I have been informed by Art that it *IS* acceptable for you to have copies of Mach on multiple machines. I use a second machine to do design and verify paths before i transfer them to my cutting system

As for the choopiness, I think that the possibility of low voltage on the parallel port would be very likely. use a VOM (Multimeter) to check the voltage on the pins when you turn them on. many of them only put out something like 3.3V instead of the normal 5V. I have seen lots of discussions here on the board regarding this issue. I think that the general consensus (in my opinion) has been to run it to a powwered breakout board to driver the driver board.

If i am incorrect or missing anything, somebody please jump in and let me know..

Eddie

[tt_raptor_90]

Hi,

In my setup I did notice a smaller voltage out of the parallel port compared to my desktop, but my setup consists of a 5 volt powered breakout board. Also, in my case the voltage does not really matter that much because all of the step, direction impules are opto coupled on the board so as long as the opto couple is working there should not be any difference. Also that nice to know about the different pc's with Mach.

Thanks

Sebastian

[ger21]

If you run the driver test, and it's not stable, somethings interfering. You can try the optimisation list at www.machsupport.com. Only try 1 item at a time, though.