The (+)X and (-)X are inverted or switched

[TAProwler]

Hello Everyone,

What a great forum. I've completely read over half of the threads here. Good info!

We recently purchased a TM1 system from a private party. This indivdual had purchased it from a friend who is also the person that built the machine. The machine has really never even been used. We can count the total number of cuts in the slats since the machine was built (19)! From everything that we can tell the individual that built the table did a very good job. Everything looks like what I've seen from the TM documentation and pics of other TM1 builds.

Since we got the table we have refurbed the computer and got everything hooked up and running. I recently figured out how to design my own "sample" part using TMCad, export the .dxf file and import it into the TM2 software that runs the table. Also, I have figured out how to import the .dxf, get the Gcode loaded, and I have succesfully gotten the table to simulate cutting out my "sample" part - we don't have a plasma torch yet.

The only thing that I have noticed is that it seems that (as the machine simulates cutting the part) the gantry moves the opposite of what I see on the screen (with respect to overall part) in the X direction. Another way to say this is that in order to "see" the part the way that it is presented on the screen I would have to get under the table and look up at it.

QUESTIONS:
1. Is it possible that the fella that built this table got two of the X direction stepper motor wires switched? Or, is it more complex than that?

2. Which manual, .pdf, webpage or other source has the best wiring diagram to check it against?

3. Is there any standard convention that TM users use to define the (+)X and (+)Y directions. I presume that if I am standing along the rail with the X stepper motor gears that to my right is (+)X and going away from me across the table is (+)Y. Is this conventional or OK? What's normal?

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks. Todd

[irving2008]

Sounds like its setup as if its a moving table not moving gantry..

AFAIK (and how mine is configured) and I dont know if this is convention or not, if you are standing at trhe end of the X rails with the Y rails L/R in front of you then +X is away and -X towards, +Y to the right -Y to the left. You can of course change all that in the software... its likely the X-direction is set active low instead of active high or vice versa....

[TAProwler]

Thanks.

So these can be user defined in the TM2 software?

Guess I'll have to dig into the manual - if I have it.

Let me see, where did I put those pdf files..........

[irving2008]

Thanks.

So these can be user defined in the TM2 software?

Guess I'll have to dig into the manual - if I have it.

Let me see, where did I put those pdf files..........

Sorry, no idea if thats true, I use EMC2 and I know both in that and in Mach3 the 'sense' of signals can be inverted. It is extremely unlikely that a simple wiring change will be possible unless there's something clever in the electronics, so I guess it must in software.

[TAProwler]

Hey Everyone,

I recently installed cable guides on my TM1 table and had to take the pins out of the connectors in order to feed them thru the cable guides. As I was noting the pin-outs of the connectors, I noticed that the order of the wire colors between the X and Y axis looked odd.

After further review I concluded that the black and red wire on the X axis stepper motor wire were indeed reversed (as compared to the connector that plugs into the motor control box). I put them back together the correct way, tested the table and the table worked great - AND - the (+) / (-) X axis are now correct.

Cable guides are definitely the way to go. They work great. I got mine (20 ft roll) from an industrial surplus outlet for less than $5 and spent $15 to buy some mounting hardware at the local Home Depot.

Thanks to everyone who posts and helps folks on this great forum.
Happy New Year,
Todd