Need some help please

[sintratech]

I bought a new machine that didnt have any electronics. I bought a stepmaster 3 axis board and xylotex power supply and fan 24dvc. Downloaded mach3. This is my first time around so I need some help. how do I get it to load anything in. I can import files from autocad to dxf and dwg but I cant seem to do anything. The motors are 118 oz inch minebea bi polars. do I not have something set right?

[Konstantin]

Well to get around in Mach2/3 I strongly recommend you to watch the tutorial videos on the program's web.

It isn't clear what is the setup like, is the machine fully assembled but w/o electronics? Steppers are mounted on leadscrews?

Basically you need to configure Mach3 to send STEP/DIR signals to the PORT and PIN of your break out board. Check the Xylotex documentation.
The http://www.xylotex.com/System.htm breaks it down to parts for you to get a bigger picture.

Sometimes in the beginning Mach is properly configured but motors aren't responding, reboot the computer.



Are you sure the PSU does have the necessary amperage to drive your motors and electronics?

I'm not familiar with Stepmaster drives, do they wire directly to the parallel port or a BOB is needed?

Mach2/3 will load NC files, toolpaths. You need to generate the toolpaths from your CAD data. Use sample .tap file called RoadRunner to give the motors a spin.

Dont know what else to add, your query is too broad.
Konstantin.

[sintratech]

ok I am getting software to work I am seeing the software working but all I get out of the motors is just a click once in a while but they are locking when power is on to them. I am using a stepmaster 3 axis board and it has a break out board with parallel cable attached. The single axis are four wire and I do have minebea bipolar 4 wire motors attached. And the machine was built and has the motors attached it just didnt come with PSU and Controller board , but I do have a new xylotex 24 vdc ps and fan. It seems to be doing fine but the motors are just clicking?

[ger21]

Make sure the ports and pins are set correctly (triple check all settings and wiring.. It's best to try to get one motor at a time working when you're having trouble.

[sintratech]

ok remember I am a newbie to trying to set one of these up. How exactly do I set up ports or pins? My db25 cable just plugs into the board. I am using a stepmaster 3 axis board and the terminals are 4 terminal connections I have tried wiring it every which way. is it possible the motors are bad?

[ger21]

Did you watch the setup videos? You need to go to Configure>Ports and Pins and assigne the step and direction pins to match your board, and also assign the correct port address, and assign the correct port to each pin.

[sintratech]

no I have not done that yet. I will do that this evening and let you know how it goes.

[sintratech]

ok I watched the videos and I have narrowed the problem down to the configuration. But I can get one or two of the axis to work but maybe its the way I am inputing the phasing as the z axis which is vertical seems to think its either the x or y axis. I didnt really get a data sheet when I bought it but I do have a link to the Mebea pdf . All I know is its 1,3,5,6 but when I enter these they wont work if I enter the same for every axis?

[sintratech]

my stepmaster board data sheet is saying

DB 25 pin number Current usage/access
===============================
2 step x
3 dir x
4 step y
5 dir y
6 step z
7 dir z

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ger21]

Then set up the pins in Mach to match.
Pin 2 = X step
Pin 3 = X Dir
.....

[sintratech]

ok well I sat down and studied my stepmaster instructions. I got it all working tonight im SO HAPPY!!! I guess I was making it harder than it actually was. I ended up putting in 2,3 and step 1 and dir 1 , and so on and that fixed it. Now I am finding out 1,000 lines of programming doesnt take long. Am I going to be forced to pay for a full version of mach 3 now?

[ger21]

Originally Posted by sintratech Now I am finding out 1,000 lines of programming doesnt take long. Am I going to be forced to pay for a full version of mach 3 now?

Only if you want to run more than 1000 lines of code. Mach3 is the result of 1 guy working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for about 3 years. $159 is a small price to pay.