Mach 3 no spindle - but OK in Mach 2

[zcases]

I have been having trouble lately with trying to run on Mach 3. I wonder if anyone here may have any ideas - basically I am running fine with Mach 2, but when I try Mach 3, everything is fine except the spindle does not run. I have actually emailed my XML's to Art, and it runs for him. So what on my mill would prevent spindle operation from M3 when M2 works fine? Any clues are appreciated.............

Maybe I should just stick with M2?????

Scott

[HuFlungDung]

M3 should be spindle forward.
M4 should be spindle reverse.
M5 should be spindle stop.

M2 should be program end, commonly M30 does the same thing.

I'm doubting that these industry standard conventions would be mixed up in Mach, but I don't know it for a fact. Maybe you can mess with them yourself?

[ger21]

Hu, when he says M2 and M3 he means Mach2 and Mach3. Spindle works in Mach2, but not in Mach3.

Scott. Try seting up a new profile, and just set up the output pin for the spindle. See if you can get it to turn on using M in MDI on the diagnostics page. If it's not working, verify your getting the correct viltage from the port. Make sure all the settings are correct in ports and pins. Output tab, as well as the spindle tab.

[HuFlungDung]

Oops. Ok, so I'm Mr. Literal

[zcases]

Well - I went beyond the new profile and completely reloaded the latest Mach3. I have, as far as I can tell, all ports/pins correct. I am using pin 8 for my step signal, which I notice the LED on the breakout board glows when the spindle is on with Mach2 but not with Mach3. I do have about 5V at the pin in both applications, spindle on or off. Why would Mach3 not be working when Mach2 does? I know it must be something I missed but cannot track it down. Since the breakout board LED for pin 8 glows for my Mach 2 spindle.....this leads me to believe its in my Mach 3 setup somewhere. Anyone care to see my latest xml or something?

[ger21]

Try creating a new profile from scratch. I've heard of people having problems that weren't able to be resolved any other way. Just a shot in the dark.

[zcases]

Thanks Ger21 - I created the new profile when I reloaded. I deleted all prior Mach folders and stuff prior to reloading. Same thing - Mach2 runs spindle.....Mach3 does not.

Spindle-less in New York,
Scott

[Torchhead]

MACH3 has some more advanced spindle parameters. Open Config/Ports & Pins/Spindle Setup tab

Make sure that you don't have "disable spindle relays" box checked.
Make sure that the clockwise and CCW are both mapped to Output #1
Make sure under Motor Control you have "Use Spindle Motor Output" checked.

If you want Spin-up Spin-down times you can put them in the General Parameters. The other settings are for use with a true spindle speed control (card that supports 0-10VDC analog speed signal)

[zcases]

OK - thanks. I am starting to finally make progress. It seems that my Mach2 motor tuning settings (1000 steps/25 velocity) doesn't work for Mach3. So I set my steps to 1000, and velocity to 1500 in Mach3 and now have spindle rotation. Just need to calibrate and get in sync with the VFD and motor true speed now............

Thanks all
Scott

[NC Cams]

HINT: check the parallel port - it could be malfunctioning. It has happened before and with NEW printer port cards...