How to control Enable from Mach 3

[jlobin]

It does not appear that Mach 3 has an easy way to use the Stepper Enable and Disable on my controller. I understand that the stepper will not have holding torque when the motor current is off. How big of an issue is that? Is there an easy way to control enable with or without external logic?

Thanks,

Jack

[Al_The_Man]

I normally do it on my installations with the E-stop relay.
Al.

[ger21]

Mach3 will let you assign pins for each axis enable . Set them up in ports and pins>Outputs, and wire them to your drive's enable terminals.

[jlobin]

Thanks for your reply. I know that I can set up an output to enable / disable a specific port pin in the Outputs Config page. However, I don't see how it is tied to the Step output for the axis. In short, I would like the enable output to go low when there are no steps going to that axis. I can do that with KCam, but so far I don't see how with Mach. I know this has to be something really simple, and I appoligize for such a simple question, but I am really new to Mach.

Thanks,

Jack

[jlobin]

I thought I would try again to get an answer to this question. Can Mach3 link an axis enable output to axis activity, such that the axis is enabled when steps are being sent to it, and disabled when there is no step activity? If NO, please tell me NO. If yes, how do you link the enable output to the axis?

Thank you,

Jack

[ger21]

I thought I read something about this on the Yahoo group several months back. I thought I recall it was going to be implemented, but I'm not sure. I can't seem to find any info about it. Your best bet would be to ask on the yahoo group. If it is possible, it doesn't appear to be documented.

[TOTALLYRC]

You might be able to do it with a brain using the isstoped an ismoving "commands". Tie the brain output to the enable wire for the drive you want to enable and disable.
This may or may not do what you want.
If using a gecko drive or similar, many of them have idle current reduction and may be enough. They also have a vacuum version that goes to zero current at idle. No holding torque is only an issue if the axis moves and causes problems for you.

Mike

[ger21]

A macropump may be able to do it as well.