Reply with Quotemach3 will not work with windows7 64 bit version. If you want to use win7 64x you'll need to get a motion control board like a smoothstepper or UC100
Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
Wired up all the drivers/motors/power supplies and bob board (DB25) to check it all works.
Testing 2 pc's both with very similar spec (core2, socket 775 board, 4gb ram, sata 250gb drives).
One with XP sp3 (Dell780) and one with Windows7 sp1 (gigabyte custom) with Mach3. Both are 32bit versions.
All fresh/clean installations and set up exactly the same in Mach as if to run 5mm ballscrews 2000 rev - 400 per unit.
Interesting puzzling result which leads me to ask if anyone has any ideas.
The XP machine ran flawless and I tested the motors up to 500rpm the equivalent of 2000mm/min rapids.
The 7 machine however had the motors dancing on the table missing steps and bumping all over the place. Only tested it to the equivalent of 500mm/min as it was so awful.
I wanted to use Win7 but I'll have to forget it unless you guys can shed some light.
I guess I'll be using the XP one but my only issue with it is I cannot connect to the internet for updated drivers etc. I think it's something to do with the Dell LAN drivers not liking XP and denying protocol or something.
I can however connect to my CAD/CAM machine upstairs from it to transfer CAM files straight over so it is probably a blessing in disguise tbf
3* 425oz/in nema23 & 1* 1600oz/in nema34
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Last edited by dazp1976; 10-03-2018 at 01:32 PM.
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
mach3 will not work with windows7 64 bit version. If you want to use win7 64x you'll need to get a motion control board like a smoothstepper or UC100
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
Forgot to mention both systems are 32bit versions. This is why I'm stumped.Originally Posted by CS900
I've updated the post.
ESS is too expensive for me atm.
I'm going to load XP on the one that's running 7 tomorrow so I can make sure there isn't an issue with the DB25 port itself.
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
Run Drivertest.exe from the Mach3 folder and compare the results.
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
Also look in the BIOS for any power saving features and disable them. Power saving stuff kills Mach. Also, if it's got wifi disable or remove it, that tends to break Mach as well.
Some computers/motherboards just won't play nice with Mach or LinuxCNC.
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
The parallel port driver that comes with Mach 3 is not compatible with any version of windows above XP SP3...
Documented on ArtSoft site......
So another motion controller is need ..i.e. Smooth-Stepper Usb or Ethernet(more reliable)
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
Not true.
It will also work in 32 bit versions of Vista and Windows 7.
(It should work in Windows 2000 as well)
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
Darn it. Spotted this one a bit late. Had already wiped Win7
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
Not true. Already been running a system for about a year (Seig X2).
Windows XP SP3 with Mach3 version R3.042.020 and it's been flawless.
PC also has Wifi for transferring files from the dedicated CAD/CAM one to outside in the workshop and has not affected it.
The only time Mach has had issues is if I transfer a file from the CAM one into the same folder of a G:code that's in use on the machine.
It causes a stop/start effect every time it goes round a corner on the next loaded code. Weird. Now I put it into a different folder then add it to where I want it directly once a previous program finishes, fault gone.
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
So. My latest update.
I've uninstalled Win7 on the Gigabyte PC and put XP SP3 on it instead (retail from 2006).
Yes I know it's 12 year old software blah blah
Mach3 Version R3.043.066 has been installed.
So spec is as follows:
Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L Rev2.0
4 GB Kingston ram
E7500 Core2
Radeon 1GB HD7470
Win XP SP3
Asus Wifi PCI
Mach3 Version R3.043.066 via parallel port.
Result;
All steppers/equipment tested up to 600rpm so far with faultless running.
Didn't want to test any quicker as they starting getting a bit warm (due to being unloaded I imagine).
But it's all spot on.
Only problem is that yet again as with the Dell, Win XP will not display internet. It can transfer files etc to/from all other network systems but just refuses to display web pages. I guess it's because support for XP has been dropped. I see it as a blessing in disguise - no viruses!
Once my whole machine is in place in a few months I'll look at Win7 again, I do want to use it. I'll load it all up on the Dell and every so often try it out until I get it stable. I can just swap PC's over.
For now though XP just works and works very well so the Dell can go in the loft.
Re: Bench testing motors/drivers prior to new machine build
When the current is set properly, steppers get warm whether they're loaded or not. If you're concerned about the temperature, turn down the current setting on the drivers.
Have you tried installing a different browser on the machine? If it's got network connectivity I'm not sure why it wouldn't be able to browse the web (other than proxy settings misconfigured or weird firewall settings.) Using an ancient browser on the web is risky anyway, looks like the most recent browser available for XP is Firefox 52.9. I'd dig a copy of that up and see if it works.
