Re: CNC Connexion problem
I actually dont know where the problem come from...
I just have my computer with the Gcode and Mach4 installed, connected through usb to the controller which is connected through parallel port to the machine and to wall plug.
then i open the gcode with mach4 and try to put my zero but nothing move, even i launch the Gcode, i see it working on mach4 but the machine itself not move at all... :(
Re: CNC Connexion problem
Did you press the enable button in the lower left? It must be red to move anything
Do you have plug-ins for the controller? Mach must know what it’s talking too.
Try to jog the machine before running programs.
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Re: CNC Connexion problem
thanks for taking time to help!!
yes i pressed enable.
No i dont have any plugin... where i can find it ? which one should i install ?
and yeah i tried to jog first but nothing happen so i tried to run the gcode (ready to cancel fast) but still nothing.
Re: CNC Connexion problem
So a quick look at this machine on Amazon says it runs EMC2 software which apparently is Linux based. Which uses a different operating software like Mach3 but not Mach.
Might even need a Linux based PC.
So this controller might not be compatible with Mach4. To be sure you need to contact the distributor (or website) and check to see if they have Mach4 plugins.
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Re: CNC Connexion problem
If you take a picture to show the breakout , it will be much easy to help you
Is your breakout same as this one?
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...nterface-board
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Re: CNC Connexion problem
Here is my machine and the specification on amazon... (pictures)
They say windows 7/XP 32
Mach 3
Do you guys think that if i install windows 7 32 and Mach 3 it will work ?
With the demo version of mach3 can i make the machine move ? (in order to try only)
do i need to buy a plugin (with mach 3 or 4) ? if yes which one ? (need to ask from the manufacturer ?)
thanks again for taking time to help!
Re: CNC Connexion problem
No disk or software included? Wasn’t on the included items list.
Unless the manufacturer provides it this won’t be easy. It’s possible to open the controller and hopefully find standard components but best bet is to contact the seller. Without it Mach 3 has no way to talk to that box.
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Re: CNC Connexion problem
nope, no software or disk included...
im talking with them now...
i will update when i have an answer.
If someone know which plugin/software i need.... dont hesitate
Re: CNC Connexion problem
if you have a Window 7 Computer (32 bits) with Parallel port, then you can use mach3 software to control.
If you have window10 Computer (64 bits ) , you need to buy a UC100 USB connection and install the plugin for mach3 software
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...ion-controller
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Re: CNC Connexion problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by
automationtechinc
If you have window10 Computer (64 bits ) , you need to buy a UC100 USB connection and install the plugin for mach3 software
But actually in the picture of the CNC controller i sent there is no place for parallel port to computer... there is only a usb port
Re: CNC Connexion problem
What do you think, what is Centronics connector for (blue one, on the left side of the tin can :) and you wrote CNC)
It is a parallel port connector, that type was on every old printer, before USB era.
Just dig one LPT cable (from frends or on flea market), install Win7 32-bit, Mach3 and you should be good to go.
If you prefer Linux, there is LinuxCNC
Re: CNC Connexion problem
Im sorry im really a beginner for this...
But if i plug the blue one (LPT cable) from this box (CNC controller) to the computer, then where i plug the box to the CNC ? cause for now this blue cable is between the box and the CNC machine...
Re: CNC Connexion problem
Hi,
if you wish to use Mach4 then there controllers that do that well, for instance an Ethernet SmoothStepper. What with the Mach4 license, a Mach4 compatible controller
and suitable breakout board you are looking at the thick end of $600. On the other hand it works well.
There are two controllers that are compatible with Mach4 that are USB connected......but I would recommend Ethernet connection, much better noise immunity
and lower latency.
Craig
Re: CNC Connexion problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by
joeavaerage
Hi,
if you wish to use Mach4 then there controllers that do that well, for instance an Ethernet SmoothStepper. What with the Mach4 license, a Mach4 compatible controller
and suitable breakout board you are looking at the thick end of $600. On the other hand it works well.
Craig
i dont mind pay more if you can tell me exactly what to buy and you sure its gonna work well. im fine with that!
Re: CNC Connexion problem
I’m pretty sure that the connector marked cnc is a connection to your stepper motors and limit switches. All machine related. The one marked cpu is a usb cable for your pc.
Many of the suggestions above are ways to replace components in that box. You really don’t want to go in that direction at this time. I’d return the unit if you can’t get the company to help you.
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Re: CNC Connexion problem
Hi,
I think Dean488 has a point, you bought a machine and it does not work.....take it back.
There are two areas of Hobby CNC. One part is making the engravings or parts that you have designed, you might say the fun part. The other area is
the construction, programming and tuning of the CNC machine itself.
You need to ask yourself 'do I want to make parts alone, without bothering too much about the machine, ie a plug-and-play machine, OR
am I up for many hours/dollars to make the best CNC machine I can?'
I can make all sorts of recommendations about the parts and assemblies necessary to get Mach4 to perform well but it is NOT plug-and-play.....
you will spend many hours wiring, frustrating hours trouble shooting and there will be times you want to throw the whole thing out the window.
I'm commissioning my new build mill, my second one, having made my original mini-mill seven years ago. I decided that to optimally suit my new
machine I would make my own breakout boards, electronics is my thing. That's what I have done. I have had my new build running well with my existing
breakout boards and various homemade adaptor boards....so I know the machine works, and works really REALLY well.....so it was hugely frustrating
that I had to spend over four hours battling with my new home-made board and the Ethernet SmoothStepper plugin and servo programming to get it all to work again.
I did succeed in the end, but it was a test of my patience.....and I've been using Mach4 for seven years. If I was coming at Mach4 from cold it would have been harder again.
This is not restricted to Mach4, all CNC software solutions require considerable wiring and development work before they can control a machine.
Of the known choices are UCCNC, LinuxCNC, Centroid Acorn and Rosetta. Of these Centroid Acorn is probably as close to plug-and-play that you'll find,
but even then you will have to roll your sleeves up to get it to work.
When I first started CNCing it was mainly to do isolation routing of circuit boards but morhped into making small metal parts. Then the design, construction
and use of the machine BECAME the hobby. Seven years later I'm on my second build having spent over $20k so far. I now use my machine, the earlier
mini-mill and now my much bigger new build mill, for work purposes so there is a dual 'reason-d-etre' here, both hobby AND commercial sales.
You really need to ask yourself what you want out of this hobby, just make parts OR make the machine that makes the parts.
Craig
Re: CNC Connexion problem
Craig, some folks on this site can design and probably build a machine from scratch, but they are a minority. Most folks bought something as a hobby or to make money and thought it was plug and play. 3d printers are far more plug and play. Possibly because they use open source code?
Hooking up Smooth stepper controllers are way outside many folks comfort zone.
So I think that if they sell CNC stuff then they need to offer some service. It should be mentioned in the add and if not then buy at your own risk. Or call them and see if they respond.
Be aware that they might delay support until the return period expires.
I would just stay away from Amazon and EBAY for CNC machines like this until they improve their game.
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Re: CNC Connexion problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grok
I actually dont know where the problem come from...
I just have my computer with the Gcode and Mach4 installed, connected through usb to the controller which is connected through parallel port to the machine and to wall plug.
then i open the gcode with mach4 and try to put my zero but nothing move, even i launch the Gcode, i see it working on mach4 but the machine itself not move at all... :(
...what happens when the USB is unplugged and then plugged in again to Winblows 10? Is the Mach4 PC set for the correct USB ComPort? Look in the Device Manager to see whats happening and which CommPort it set for....do this to view Devices....hold down the Windows Key then+R....the Run window should appear....then type "devmgmt.msi" then click OK.
Re: CNC Connexion problem
Hi,
Quote:
...what happens when the USB is unplugged and then plugged in again to Winblows 10? Is the Mach4 PC set for the correct USB ComPort? L
There are only three USB connected Mach4 ready controllers ( 57CNCdb25, UC100 and PMDX412) all of which require a specialist plugin which is ALMOST certainly
not the case for OP. If he has Mach4, which I doubt, then he will need a Mach4 compatible controller and they start at $120USD or so.
Quite frankly unless OP is up for some serious hardware and even harder set-up then Mach4 is a pipe dream
If its a Chinese controller, and for the price it would be a good guess, then it will be for a pirate copy of Mach3 or one of the lesser known CNC softwares.
Dean488 suggestion, ie that OP contact the supplier for help is the most likely direct solution. If they don't come to the party....then what?
Probably the cheapest solution is LinuxCNC. Firstly the software is open source and free. While LinuxCNC benefits from one of the MESA boards you can run LinuxCNC quite
happily on a parallel printer port, and therefore not require an external motion controller at all....just a cheap as chips parallel port breakout board. Provided OP has a PC
he can devote to LinuxCNC, or perhaps dual boot Windows/Linux, and a $20 breakout board then he could be underway.
As Dean488 points out that even this may well be out of OPs comfort zone but is probably the easiest OUTSIDE of a plug-and-play purchase.
Craig