[BlkNotes]

Hello;

I have a newly loaded Mach3mill software that has been set-up. All the axis function except the y-axis. I have looked through the set-up to make sure I haven't made an error, but do not see any. I also check and adjusted the REF & PFD values and they seem fine. I hear the typical motor noise at idle from the motor as I do from the other motor aixs but no movement.

Any ideas?

Regards;
BN

[ger21]

Check the setup again, checking the pin #'s and make sure the correct port is assigned to those pins. Also check enable if you need to use it. If you didn't make a setup mistake in Mach, there's a good chance of a wiring error, or loose connection somewhere.

I'm assuming if you jog the Y axis, the DRO's in Mach show movement?

[BlkNotes]

Hello;

Yes the Y-axis DRO moves but but there is not physical movement of the Y-axis on the mill.

Thanks;
BN

[neilw20]

What typical motor noise? Can you hear 25KHz.
I assume you are using steppers.
If so have you inadvertently transposed the step and direction signals?

You should have no noise when axis is not moving, unless...
Maybe series chopper current limiter in your controller that causes a noise and this maybe normal for the controller you are using.

When it jogs it is probably fixed. Had your ears tested? (LOL)
What type of controller are you using. What supply voltage, etc.

[BlkNotes]

Hi Neil;

When I say noise I mean I high pitch whine. The whine changes loudness and pitch when I augment the REF & PFD adjustments. Yes they are stepper motors ( nema 23 astrosyn 1.8 degree)

The board is a mechatronic bipolar 3-axis. The supply voltage is 31V

Neil when you state--"If so have you inadvertently transposed the step and direction signals?" Are you referring to the Step pin & Dir Pin allocations in Mach3?

I just checked the wiring to the y-axis portion of the board and it is correct.
The pin ports are also correct using the typical X, Y, Z axis Step Pin# 2,4,6 & the Dir Pin # 3,5,7

I also checked the fuse, but it was ok. I am not sure what else to check

Thanks for the help
BN

[neilw20]

Swap the X and Y cables to the steppers (WITH THE POWER OFF. Important with steppers.)

This will eliminate a motor fault.
Each motor has 2 winding. A & B
If the ends of A and B are swapped this might stop things, or cause noise.

Correct:
A ------------------------------------- B
<-- A-OUTPUT --controller B-OUTPUT--->
A ------------------------------------- B


wrong:
A ------------------------------------- A
<-- A-OUTPUT --controller B-OUTPUT--->
B ------------------------------------- B

[BlkNotes]

Neil;

I have swapped the X & Y axis wiring on the driver board as you suggest. So what happens now is the Y-axis functions but the X-axis now does not. So this rules out a non-functioning motor on the y-axis. I think this would also rule out a break in the wiring leading from the y-axis motor or else it still would not function in the x-axis postion on the driver board.

BN

[BlkNotes]

Hello;

Would this mean that there is a problem with the Y-axis driver portion of the mechatronics board? There is power going to the y-axis board since the red power light is on and the REF & PFD elicit values. Could there still be something wrong with that portion of the board?

Or is ther another area I should look for trouble shooting?

Thanks
BN

[neilw20]

Neil;

I have swapped the X & Y axis wiring on the driver board as you suggest. So what happens now is the Y-axis functions but the X-axis now does not. So this rules out a non-functioning motor on the y-axis. I think this would also rule out a break in the wiring leading from the y-axis motor or else it still would not function in the x-axis postion on the driver board.

BN

Is that the chicken or the egg?

Do you mean the Y axis now moves (Y motor OK) or the Y DRO now works (the Y motor is faulty. What happens when you jog the X DRO?

The fianl answer is......?

[BlkNotes]

Hello;

When the x & y axis wires are switched as you suggested( x-axis motor leads to Y-axis on board & y-axis motor leads to x-axis on board), The Y-axis work (y-axis motor works). The x-axis now does not work (no movement), but the x-aixs DROs still works.

BTW before in the original set-up when the y-axis was not functioning the y-axis DROs still functioned.

Thanks
BN

[neilw20]

You have problems with the electronics.
Put the motors back to their original connections and now swap the X and Y inputs to the controllers.
Then you can figure out if the problem is in the driver or the BOB/PC end.
If the Y motor fails and the X motor works blame the controller.

If Y motor starts working and the X motor fails blame the BOB/PC side
Now you must figure out if it is the cable, the PC, the LPT port, or the mach3 setup.

Search and conquer. You will fix it or your hair will fall out.

[BlkNotes]

Hi Neil;

Can you explain in more detail what you mean by this statement--
"Put the motors back to their original connections and now swap the X and Y inputs to the controllers"

I understand the first part of the statement but not the last. Are you referring
to the A/A- & B/B- on the terminal block

Thanks
BN

[neilw20]

Please read in context with previous posts.
I am assuming the new state of things after each post.
Just follow from instructions/reasoning from my first post.
This is a logical sequence to identify the problem.
When you get to here again. what happened along the way?

[BlkNotes]

Hi Neil;

Let me recap so I understand. When the x & y axis wires are switched as you suggested ( x-axis motor leads to Y-axis on board & y-axis motor leads to x-axis on board), The Y-axis works (y-axis motor works). The x-axis now does not work (no movement), but the x-aixs DROs still works.

So I swiched back the wiring to its previous state. Now what is it that you are asking me to do/test?

Thanks
BN

[neilw20]

While reading between posts on different pages at the wrong time of the night my english expression needs repair.:withstupi I will try again. (chair)Timezone slip/lag does not help either. Not good at excuses am I? Anyway.. back to the task at hand:

Your post #14:
Yes thats good. Everything restored. The Y-axis motor is OK.

The only time we will mention the X axis motor or controller or pins or anything is if we need to test something from a good channel. That said,

Your post #12:
The AA-BB which I assume is the output and we are talking about the non operational Y axis, which we have proven that the Y motor is ok. I try to explain simply (imho)

We have to eliminate a possible wiring error between the Y motor and the Y controller. My post #6 caused confusion. I will try again with words instead of ASCII diagram. We must eliminate this possible fault before proceeding.

Please check, in order, that each of these statements is TRUE.
1).The motor has 1 has 2 windings with 2 wires each. ie 4 wires.
2). Call them windings A and B, each with 2 wires A1,A2 an B1,B2
3). A1,A2 go to controller Y output A.
4). B1,B2 go to controller Y output B.

The error we must eliminate is that one of the A wires is not swapped with one of the B wires which would make 5 and 6 below true.

Possible wrong connection.:nono:
5). A1,B2 go to controller Y output A. B wires going to A output.
6). A1,B2 go to controller Y output B. A wires going to B output.

Awaiting your reply while the earth spins...:wave:

[BlkNotes]

Hi Neil;

I apprecitae the clarification, it was helpful. I think sometimes when typing on forums timing & the thought behind statements is missed. Such is conversation in the 21st century

Ok, I have tested points #5 & 6 in your last post and the result is that the Y-axis does not work ( no movement). Btw the Y-axis DRO continues to function.


Regards;
BN

[ger21]

Btw the Y-axis DRO continues to function.

If the DRO is working, then Mach is sending steps. You're sure that the ports and pins are correct, right?

[micsit1]

BN
before proceeding further along with troubleshooting, I assume by your statement: "I hear the typical motor noise at idle from the motor as I do from the other motor aixs but no movement." that there is some resistance when trying to rotate the Y stepper motor which means that the controller provides power to it.
Then assuming also that all Mach3 ports & pins parameters have been rechecked carefully then your problem is almost identical to what I had myself a few days ago when I disconnected my computer for a memory upgrade.

I FOUND ONE OF MY DB25 PINS ON THE PARALLEL CABLE(computer side) TO BE FOLDED ON ITS SIDE

I carefully straightened with a pair of long nose pliers and reconnected my cable to its computer housing making sure it went in smoothly. Restarted my computer and Mach3 program and all worked perfectly as before. :banana::banana::banana:
Good luck
Michel

[BlkNotes]

Dear Michel;

Thanks for that suggestion. Good Call, I had not thought of that. Unfortunatley none of my pins on the input or output side were bent. I even straightened some pins just in case, but no luck.

Regards;
BN