Struggling connecting Mach3 to a controller

[zaebis]

I got a mid size mill a with controller (professionally built) but still struggling to get any connectivity PC-to-Controller. Standard parallel connection, straight through cable. Tried 4 different computers with onboard parallel ports and 2 plug in PCI parallel cards no luck. So decided to test parallel port pins on the computer side with an occilloscope.

Launch Mach 3, scope charge pump pin (pin 9 in my case) = 6.8Khz !?!?! Close Mach3, reopen charge pump = 11.83Khz !?!? Sometimes it comes to 12.2Khz but never 12.5Khz claimed by Mach manual. My pulse freq reported by Mach in diagnostics is about 23656 to 24500 Hz.

I tried to output a frequency on stepper X (pin 7 in my case) and it comes out properly each time and is inline with Mach freq. So when I dial 25000Hz on stepper X it shows exactly Mach 3 pulsing frequency, say 23656 Hz.

But I am a little confused on the charge pump as it obviously way out of range. Does that mean my parallel port is no good? What is charge pump used for anyway? Can I disable it at all? How else can I ensure that the parallel port has suitable characteristics?

I tried 3 different computers and on board parallel ports and they all output charge pump at 6.8Khz (sometimes jumping to 11.8Khz).

Any ideas?

[jalessi]

Zaebis,

It is ok if the charge pump frequency fluctuates as long as it is present.

Take a look at this, it will help you understand the charge pump function.

http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C4R6_2%20USER%20MANUAL.pdf

What type of drive and breakout board do you have, it may not even have a charge pump option.

More detailed information on your hardware would help.

Do you have a instant messenger?

Jeff...

[zaebis]

Jalessi thanks.

So if I understood correctly CP has no other function than to monitor a "health" of Mach3 pulse generation. Is that what reset function goes by? I noticed when I hit Mach3 reset, charge pump stops. I guess controller interprets it as "need to stop". So it has to be there or controller will not do a thing right?

I have Novakon 135 mill with CD300 controller. It has a breakout board inside it but I havnt looked at what actually is inside the controller.

I cant seem to figure out if this is the fault of the controller or the parallel port itself. Is there any way to test parallel port "compliance" ?

Originally Posted by jalessi Zaebis, It is ok if the charge pump frequency fluctuates as long as it is present. Take a look at this, it will help you understand the charge pump function. http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C4R6_2%20USER%20MANUAL.pdf What type of drive and breakout board do you have, it may not even have a charge pump option. More detailed information on your hardware would help. Do you have a instant messenger? Jeff...

[BobF]

How do you have pin functions set in Mach3?
Do you know what the controller expects?

[jalessi]

Zaebis,

The charge pump was a after though in Mach3, some controllers or breakout boards have the ability to monitor charge pump activity less primitive ones don't.

I am not sure if your Novicon controller requires the charge pump however it is enabled on pin 9 in the NM-135 Rev. 2.1 CD-300 (XML) file

See attached charge.jpg


Have you copied the NM-135 Rev. 2.1 CD-300 (XML) file into your C:\Mach3 directory?

Are you loading the NM-135_CD300 from the Session Profile menu

See attached .jpg

Jeff...

[jalessi]

Zaebis,

Please make sure your DB25 cable is straight through I.E. pin 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, ....25-25 etc...

You may have a acquired a null cable by mistake.

Jeff...