Sharnoa 4 axis retrofit

[Al_The_Man]

On the screen where you see AT1 and it responds with OK,
Then look at FILE, PROPERTIES, It should tell you the COM port you are using.
If it is different than COM1, then go to FILE and open another connection, this time instead of the default modem in the connection box, set to the COM port that is working.
This may work.
As I have said many times, Hyperterminal is a PITA for a general Modem program.
It is too bad that the old Win3.1 Terminal that will run under Win98 will not run under WinXP and up.
Way better.
Al.

[Larken]

To test the comport, you can make a simple " loop back test". On the viper cable there are 3 wires Black, Brown and White. Jump the Brown and White wires (TX and RX) together and then anything you type gets echoed back on the screen. (I just tested this and it works).

Also check if Comm 1 is enabled in the BIOS.

Do you have an other computer you can try ?

Al, there are also some shareware programs that are better than hyper term too.

Larry

[i_r_machinist]

I couldn't get comm1 to do anything, but after reading those two last posts about 10 times, I went to device manager and found that comm1 had two drivers to chose from.

The older driver "WindowsSerial", works great!!!! LKR popped right up!

Now on to the next challenge. I'm on bank 0, no jumpers on x drive. No power to the motor. I key in m and get m0000s0000. I turn the motor one way and get mFFFFs0000,the other way I get m0002s0000. It doesn't matter how much I turn the motor in that one direction, I still get the same m and s values. Shouldn't this number vary?
thanks
i_r_

[Larken]

No, Its not reading the encoder properly. Double check the wiring. If its single ended, you need to add the 2K resistor as in the manual.

[i_r_machinist]

Encoder connection had a tiny piece of soldier between two lines. Now when I turn the motor the m valve has big changes.
Next issue.
With board on bank 0 (no jumpers), as soon as I power up the board, the motor takes off and the red light starts flashing rapidly. I've turned the pots up all the way but this changes nothing. It does the same thing on x and y boards. I've changed the p and d values, but get the same result.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
i_r_

[Al_The_Man]

Sounds like encoder phasing, if using differential type, change A and /A connections.
If single ended A & B.
Try that until Larry gets back.
Al.

[i_r_machinist]

IT LIVES!!!
changed a/-a on all encoders. 3 axis held on bank0 settings. I had to increase the p&d values on x drive. Put jumpers for bank1 on all boards and saved the settings.
On to the next challenge!
I've been to every "electronics" store in town. Nobody carries a d25 connection cable. I will order one from mpja.com in a few moments.
I can't wait to see this baby makeing chips!
THANKS!!!
i_r_machinist

[i_r_machinist]

New problem.
I had all the drives holding. I loaded sound design.xml into mach3. Put in the pin numbers on config. Saved my settings and turned the power on to the drives by releaseing the manual estop. The z axis moved a little.
Now I get a fast flashing red light on three of the boards when I turn the power on to the drive motors. X drive seems to have no problem.
I've turned the pots all the way up but still get the same result. The x drive pots are set about in the middle.
thanks
i_r_machinist

[i_r_machinist]

I guess I'll be sending at least one board back to Larry to get fixed.
:Note to self: Turn power off before wiggling wires to see if they are loose.
i_r_

[keithmech]

what did you do?Check the motor tuning.

[i_r_machinist]

I'm going back thru the whole tuning part. Everything was fine. All the axis held and I could put force on cw&ccw direction. I started Mach and set all of the pins.
I'm not sure that Mach is talking to the bob.
I have no idea what I could have done to make the boards fault out like this.
I'll play some more in the am.
thanks Kieth
Kerry Bullard,aka i_r_machinist

[keithmech]

check the steps per on the motor tuning.might be way too many.