Xylotex - Mach 3

[Swisha_House]

I know that my steppers, and driver board work because they work using the test program that Xylotex provides.

However when I try running under Mach 3 command, nothing moves. I got the correct port, got the pins configured, and made sure it was the full program, not the emulation. I will try jogging the motors around, and I can see the Mach DRO moving, however no movement out the motors.

Am I forgetting a step in the setup, or what? Thanks for any help.

[ger21]

triple check your ports and pins. Something is probably set wrong. Make sure each pin is assigned to port 1. They are set to port 0 by default.

[Swisha_House]

Well that maybe be the problem, didn't know the other numbers had to be changed as well. I assume both the "Step Port", and "Dir Port" have to be changed to "1"? Thank you very much!

[ger21]

Yes

[Swisha_House]

Well just got around to running the desktop computer out to the shop, and tested it out. Still doesn't work.

So there is yet another option I have to change. I'm sure that the driver board still works, as I ran the test program and got movement. Might it be the motor tuning? There is a small wave shown under the motor tuning. However I assume if commands were reaching the board I would at least hear "humming" out the motors.

(Pictures below)
Below I have included the only two windows in which I have made changes. Are any of these figures wrong, or is there changes that need to be made outside these two screens?

Also screenshoted (word?) is the motor tuning window. I haven't made any changes to this window, but is there anything here severely out of wack? Like to the point that doesn't even allow the motors to buzz or make noise. (not ideal for the final setup, however any such noise would at least let me know there is communication between Mach 3 program and the driver board)

[ger21]

Do the motors lock up when power is applied?

Also, in the motor tuning screen, set the step and direction pulse width to 2.

[cjmerlincnc]

Hi, I know it may be a silly question, but have you tried clicking on drivertest in the Mach folder to check that Mach3 has control of the printer port.

Also your port 1 say's 3bc not 378 which is standard printer port #1. Is this correct for you.

Regards

John

[Swisha_House]

Yes, the motors lock up when power is applied. I will try switching the pulse width to 2 next time I drag the computer out there.

I have not used Mach3's driver test programs, just the driver board manufactures. (Xylotex) Yes I'm sure that "3BC" is the port, as its the only port number I can get the motors to turn under in the test program.

Well hopefully I find the energy to run the computer back out there. I really hate having to unhook and pack it out there. Thanks a lot for the help received thus far. Helps out a ton!

Thanks again.
-Clay

:EDIT:
Jesus Christ exists, and he answered my prayers. Church here I come! (It worked!)

I always assumed that the port address was "3BC" as it was the only one that worked in Xylotex's test program. So I never bothered changing the number in Mach3, however for a unknown reason the correct port number in Mach3 is "378". BTW, thank you cjmerlincnc for mentioning it, I know it was super basic, but if you know me, I miss that kinda stuff all the time. Still wondering why the port address is different in both programs...

Anyway can anyone point me to the appropriate motor settings when running 425's on the mentioned system? (Sieg X2, Xylotex driver)

[Jack Aubrey]

Hi guys

I am a newbie to the CNC thing - have been lurking for ages trying to pick up the knowledge.

I am building a DIY router using Xylotex 4 axis controller and Mach 3.

I want to have 2 EStop switches and limit switches on 3 axis each end.

I have the limit switches already - they can be configured normally open or closed.

Can anybody advise me which I should use for the limit switches and whether to get NO or NC for the EStops?

Regards

JA

[b1driver]

Originally Posted by Swisha_House I always assumed that the port address was "3BC" as it was the only one that worked in Xylotex's test program. So I never bothered changing the number in Mach3, however for a unknown reason the correct port number in Mach3 is "378". BTW, thank you cjmerlincnc for mentioning it, I know it was super basic, but if you know me, I miss that kinda stuff all the time. Still wondering why the port address is different in both programs... Anyway can anyone point me to the appropriate motor settings when running 425's on the mentioned system? (Sieg X2, Xylotex driver)

I'm in the same situation. Noob at the CNC thing with the xylotex 3 axis board and te 425 motors. I have the machine running but not smoothly at all, in fact, not workable. takes the machine 20 minutes to engrave the name AMY. I'm making progress all the time, but if someone has cracked this nut and willing to share, I'd sure appreciate it. thanks

Luis

[ger21]

Originally Posted by b1driver I'm in the same situation. Noob at the CNC thing with the xylotex 3 axis board and te 425 motors. I have the machine running but not smoothly at all, in fact, not workable. takes the machine 20 minutes to engrave the name AMY. I'm making progress all the time, but if someone has cracked this nut and willing to share, I'd sure appreciate it. thanks Luis

This may help.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...639#post256639