2012 Patriot

[Gulbrandr]

Are 2011 and 2012 Patriots the same?

[smallblock]

I think there are some new features for 2012- They now supply a pre-configured PC with the machine, the mill head lift is now driven by the cnc and the X axis ball screw is down the center of the casting. Don't take my word for it though- best to check with them directly.

[Gulbrandr]

Thanks. Just picked up a 2012 and need to hurry home and play with it. Thanks again.

[terrycan]

Powered up my new machine for the first time today.

My PC had some corrupted files. Shopmaster emailed replacements quickly.

My Gecko drive board shows a red light (fault).

Anybody know how to make it green (power)?

[Timbob]

There is a switch on the back of the driver for the charge pump. It needs to be turned off for it to work. That was the problem with mine. Also, mine had been configured wrong in software as to pinouts, axes, etc. It provided me with an opportunity for a bit of learning, which is always a good thing!

[Quadramaster]

Terrycan,
Gald to hear you bit the bullet and bought a machine. It's been a while since you looked at mine. Congrats... I'm sure JT can help you with the error light...

Mark -

[alsamson]

This is my first post. I just received my Shopmaster from JT two weeks ago. I had the same issue with the fault light on the Gecko drive board. I did some research and was able to get mine to work. The charge pump is a safety device that prevents your computer from accidentally moving your stepper motors before Mach III comes up to speed and controls everything correctly. If you turn the charge pump off, there is a chance that you can have one or all of the steppers move as the computer is booting up or as you are loading Mach III. The Mach III parallel port driver should be outputing a charge pump signal on Pin 16 of the cable. This can be setup in Config / Ports and Pins / Output signals. Scroll down to Charge Pump and make sure it is enabled, Port # is 1, Pin number is 16 and Active low is not selected.

Once this is setup, the driver will send the charge pump signal to the Gecko and turn the light green. To do this, switch the charge pump switch on the Gecko to on. Then you don't have to worry about inadvertant movement!

I hope this helps. I'm really excited about practicing with my Shopmaster and I know I'll have a lot of questions for everyone.

Al

[terrycan]

The machine is moving. Discovered there are no limit or home switches. My concern is traveling the machine beyond it's limits. JT tells me it stalls and is no big deal. That is not the case with industrial machines.

Any body have experience setting the soft limits?

[Gulbrandr]

I'm using mach 3 software and I'm confused about the mach turn wizards. The 2 axis used in the wizards are x and z. I don't get the z axis, that is my mill. what am I missing? I should think x and y. Thanks for any help.

[terrycan]

You mention lathe wizards and say "This is my mill."

Are you using a lathe wizard on your mill?

Z axis is usually the center line of the spindle.

If your machine is a Shopmaster Patriot in the lathe mode the mill spindle would not move in Z.

The machine as delivered does not have the spindles talking to the PC.

Is your machine brand new?

[terrycan]

Terrycan,
Gald to hear you bit the bullet and bought a machine. It's been a while since you looked at mine. Congrats... I'm sure JT can help you with the error light...

Mark -

Thanks Mark

Haven't made any chips yet. Plan to do that soon.

Currently working on wiring the spindle so they are controlled by Mach III.

My comfort zone is growing.

[terrycan]

I am setting my machine so Mach III controls the spindles. The wiring is done. The Mach III settings have been changed.

I am stuck on the CNC VFD Settings.

Q: Are the CNC VFD Settings changed at the PC or the machine?