Pictures and question.

[krt9751]

Here are some pictures of my rendition of the pipe dream.I am using a fet 3 econo setup from stepper world I can move my motors manually using a vb 3axis control panel but am unable to get the machine to work with any cam software I would very much appreciate any help with this problem.

[joecnc2006]

Cam software is not used to move motors, or drive a machine, you need a controllor software like mach3, Emc2 or turbocnc.

most cam software is use for design and generation of g-codes for the controling software to read the axis movement.

[krt9751]

my mistake i thought cam was a controllor software, i've tried kcam 4cnc controllor,mach 3,code shark none are working it's almost like it can't find the right port

[ger21]

Make sure you enable the drives. I believe the stepperworld uses an enable line for each axis. On the stepperworld site there is a screenshot showing the pin setup for KCAM. Look under Software>KCAM3

[krt9751]

ger21 i did the enable think but still no good thankyou

[sanddrag]

Have you tried TurboCNC?

[joecnc2006]

what is the amps of that power supply? it looks like only 12v maybe 2amp? you need a min of 6 amps, when my motors are running they putt 2.8-3 amps each when i have a meter on it.
they may run with out connected to anything, but when on the machine, it would not have power to move lead screw. try a PC power supply to test it out.

[Bear]

Hello,
Have you tried the instructions provided by Artsoft web site?
Its amezing (to me) how Art does it ,provide all that information
and answers so many redundit questions!
A search ,Quick search if you will,will provide routine anwsers.
Specific answers usually can be provided for specific questions,
given time .
Bear

[krt9751]

thankyou bear i'll check that out

[Changeup]

Originally Posted by joe2000che what is the amps of that power supply? it looks like only 12v maybe 2amp? you need a min of 6 amps, when my motors are running they putt 2.8-3 amps each when i have a meter on it. they may run with out connected to anything, but when on the machine, it would not have power to move lead screw. try a PC power supply to test it out.

Hi Joe,
I'm also new at this fun stuff.
I've built a gantry style CNC completely from 1/2" Plexiglas and 1/2" metal pipe. All appears perfectly smooth and connections are correct BUT, I'm having the exact same problem that this other dude is talking about. I've tried different computer power supplies, and a medley of hP printer power supplies. The hP black box type power supplies are similar looking to the one he shows and I'm having similar power problems too. The hP power adapter rating is +-31.5V putting out about 2.1A. From the sound of what your telling this other dude, I may not have enough amperage output. All three motors hum and sound like they're getting ready to go and then................nothing. I've also attached a 6A breaker in-line on the positive end just prior the hookup on the positive pole of the board so I don't fry what I've taken so long to build. My electrical knowledge is more than basic but somewhat less than intermediate.
I've also made a 4-axis CNC foam-cutting machine. It's due to operate running on Gilles Muller GMCPE software for foam cutting.
Both of the driver boards are from HobbyCNC. I bought Dave Rigotti's 3 and 4 axis circuit driver boards. The kits had a bag of parts all needing to be soldered to the boards. I did all of the double checking for voltage specs per instructions and all came out correct. I guess my mechanical skills are better than my electrical skills in regards to confidence. That's why I've been cautious adding power to the boards.
Any advice on power supplies??? Thanks.

Mike

[joecnc2006]

If you look at dave's site hobbycnc.com he recomends the 24vac 10a transformer, which will give you 36vdc and 10a, 2 amp is not enough for all the motors, to me if you have a 2.8amp motor and have three of them then I would want 2.8x3 (motors) = 8.4amps max. that will draw at one time, so 10 amps is enough, I know Xylotex uses a 24v 5a psu, some have had success with it and some have had problems when used with a larger machine than it was intended for. So i would sugest Use the Specs on HobbyCNC website and use the 36vdc 10a PSU.

I have been running the 200oz kit HobbyCNC for over 1.5 years now with no problems at all on my CNC Model 2006.

Joe