Converting a X2 clone to CNC

[dallen]

I resolved the electrical issue not sure what the problem was, but the driver came back to life after I had ordered a new breakout board but before it arrived.

the limit switches are giving me fits, by not working and for the life of me can't find why they won't work.

some snags in calibrating, but that will iron its self out when I re calibrate the steppers again hopefully.

here's a not very good photo of it basically buried under residue of wiring the limits.

   

DA

[Shawn]

Dallen, I might be able to help with this one. On the top right corner of the general configuration page in Mach3 there is a setting called "denounce interval" by default it is set to zero I believe. Try setting this to 200 and see if that helps? My limit switches were very sporadic until I made this change, I have since dropped it down to 100 with no issues. I just read your post again and you said they were not working at all? My idea probably won't make a difference unless your running mach3 on a very slow computer.

I like the router, very similar to what I have in mind to build. Is there a second stepper for the Y axis?

Shawn

[dallen]

thanks for the info on the denounce interval.

no it just has one stepper per axis, but I may have to add a second screw to the X axis if I can't adjust the chatter out of it. I need to get the joints in the frame locked up solid and the gantry realigned before jumping in and hanging another ball screw off the far side of the frame.

Its just the basic gantry style router with a working table of about 20 by 30 inches, which is probably way more then what I need for my uses. the motors are 425 ox/in motors from Wantai running at 3 amps 36 volts.

All of the motors and drivers and breakout board were bought as a kit, I did replace the breakout board when I though it may of been the problem that I had before when the one driver wouldn't light up, The breakout board that I now have on it is a 5 axis board with spindle option if I decide to get and actual spindle motor and put on it.

[f350ca]

Dallen, I made so many setting changes and software loads I can't remember for certain, but I think I had to allow the limit switches in Mach (but don't ask me how). I know I could move the motors before I wired the limits, and I never took out a jumper. If there was no jumper to mimic the limits, they must have to be allowed as they open when tripped.
Hope that helps.
Looking good.

[Shawn]

On the diagnosis? Page in Mach3 you should be able to see the limit switches lit up. When you activate one the light should go out.

I cut the handles for the throttles this morning, man that was easy with a cnc. I just modifies the original gcode file to cut the same profile in the end of some round stock.



Shawn

[dallen]

(04-18-2014, 09:14 AM)f350ca Wrote: Dallen, I made so many setting changes and software loads I can't remember for certain, but I think I had to allow the limit switches in Mach (but don't ask me how). I know I could move the motors before I wired the limits, and I never took out a jumper. If there was no jumper to mimic the limits, they must have to be allowed as they open when tripped.
Hope that helps.
Looking good.

Greg, I have the limits set so that they are reading active low which keeps them from showing up as a switch open which would cause the router to stop. the problem is that no matter how I hook the switches up or configure the software the things don't want to work. I can run the machine using soft limits which a lot of people do without any problems as the steppers aren't big enough to do any damage to the router. But I would like to have them working.

(04-18-2014, 10:25 AM)Shawn Wrote: On the diagnosis? Page in Mach3 you should be able to see the limit switches lit up. When you activate one the light should go out.

Shawn

Shawn thats the problem, for some reason the computer isn't seeing the switches when I activate one of the switches. Even tried using the auto setup on for the Inputs but no luck.

Anyway I've got some cleanup to to so it will be presentable and hopefully get some decent light on it and try to get a video of the thing doing something besides sitting on the table its on.

David.

[Shawn]

I know that on my BOB there were only a few inputs available with the jumper configuration I used. Any chance your using an output or don't have the jumpers set correctly? Just tossing ideas out there in case it twigs anything.

Shawn

[dallen]

(04-18-2014, 03:10 PM)Shawn Wrote: I know that on my BOB there were only a few inputs available with the jumper configuration I used. Any chance your using an output or don't have the jumpers set correctly? Just tossing ideas out there in case it twigs anything.

Shawn

the only jumper on the breakout board is for pin 17 which will switch it from turning the spindle relay on, or with the jumper off so that pin 17 is for B-dir.

haven't messed with it much today other then to run it a bit when a buddy dropped by for some mud. been out chasing other problems like why a blower I bought new from surplus center won't run no matter how I wire the run cap up to it. Big deal with the blower is I need it to run in a housing so I can get back to melting and casting cast iron before the whole state is under a fire ban.

Guess I could hook up the other breakout board and see what happens. big deal with that is that this board has all the options for spindle control plus the fourth and fifth axis.

DA

[dallen]

swapped out the breakout boards and was able to get the limits all fired up. so I'm one step closer to cutting something or making a big A#$ MESS or something.

Thanks for the help.

DA

[Shawn]

Good news, now you know the switches are working. Cuts your trouble shooting in half at least : )