[woody8750]

I am trying to set up my spindle start stop relay and have been unsuccessful in getting an output from Mach. I have the output #1 enabled on port #1 with pin number 14 assigned, under the Output Signals Tab. Under the Spindle Setup tab I have output #1 assigned to the M3, clockwise comand. What am I missing? I am getting no signal out of the computer. I have assigned different pins and nothing seems to help.

[Torchhead]

What is tied to pin 14 ? You setup sounds right but what are you measuring to see the output? Scope, meter, something else? If output1 flashes on the Diagnostics screen when you do an M03 at the MDI window then everything is mapped at least to the proper output BUT you have to get that output to the right port and pin. Parallel port direct won't drive spit and may need a pullup from the outside to use it for low going outputs.

TOM Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[woody8750]

I am feeding a breakout board (cnc4pc) with the parallel cable. This breakout board feeds through, and I have volt meter hooked up to 14 and one of the commons on the exit plug. Output on breakout board is connected to a relay board. Also, I think I should be able to see pin 14 light up on the Diagnostics screen when output one comes on? I've also tried the simple commands like turning on the coolant and mist, and am also unable to get anything to the pins. The only thing left that I can come up with on this problem is to uninstall Mach3 and re-install? Possibly something was messed up in the download or install?

[Torchhead]

HUH? Serial? Pin 14 is a parallel cable. Unless there is custom software (plug-in's) involved you can't make an output remap through a serial port to something else.

You can reload MACH as many times as will make you happy but it won't fix this issue.

You need to get deeper into the CNC4PC docs and figure out what is supposed to be connected to what. In most BOB's that have outputs you connect them to Port 1 parallel port and the ouputs are turned one with specific port- pin combinations. There are only 4 outputs open on a port that is used for motor S & D (port 1). Those are Pin 1, pin 14, pin 16 and pin 17. 17 is most often used for Charge Pump. That leaves three. You BOB documentaion should tell you which of the above pins are connected where on the BOB. The board should have status LED's to show you what is turning on/off. If there are on-board relays they should have status LED's to show when they go active.

Only inputs show up on the Diagnostics screen as INPUTS. The outputs show up as flashing red LEDS but it is not monitoring the actual port pin. Only the RAW PORT BITS show you the actual pin status and they are INPUTS ONLY.

Perhaps this might progress faster if you tell us what exactly you are trying to do and what pieces you are using and how.

TOM Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[neilw20]

1. You have to assign out put pins.
2. You need to specify on the ports and pins - spindle that you you will use relay(s). Not PWM.
It will work once you tick the right boxes, ands get the active high/lows right.

M3 forward - Output 1. M4 Reverse - Output 2. M5 both off.
F5 key should toggle on/off once all is well.

[woody8750]

I've attached two sceens that show the last tried settings that did not give me an output. I will try to get a picture of the breakout board and relay board along with some specifics later today. It stiil appears to me though the problem is in the Mach settings, since I get no voltage out on pin #14, and all of my drives are working. I did replace the parallel cable with a new cable and made no differance. I've also tried switching the active high/low and had no success.

[neilw20]

Have a look at the Bios Settings.
I just did some fiddling, and found that the output pin was very slow to respond to Mach3, I think because BIOS setting for LPT is not correct.
It would appear that you need a pullup on the output.
It is acting like open collector. I did not try it with a resistor or load, but I'm fairly sure that is the problem.
Could also be mucked up by having E-S enabled, but not correct input signal.
Use the diagnostics screen and and spindle toggle button to make the output follow your button hits. Mine delayed by about 10 seconds like you would expect high impedance floating output.
M3 and M5 should work from command line when all is well.
Make sure some of your input switch lines work, to ensure that the driver is actually communicating with the (correct) port.

[ger21]

Do the motors move, and just the outputs don't work?

[woody8750]

Yes, the motors (4) all move and function properly as do my travel limit inputs. I just cant seem to get an output signal. When I use the diagnostics screen and spindle toggle button to make #1 output turn on it does respond and function on the screen as I think it should. However I don't get an output on pin 14 using a volt meter nor does it show up on the diagnostics screen pin indicators.

[neilw20]

Try using the multimeter on resistance range -- say about 10K
Black to ground, red to pin 14.
If it is open collector type problem, you should see a change.
The diagnostics screen indicator should toggle as you turn spindle control on/off.

Maybe try a different pin, say 17, in case you have a dud output.

[ger21]

Check the cable, too.

[woody8750]

I've disconnected the breakout board from the system and found that I now have a good signal coming out of Mach3 to the parallel port. I have now been trying to work with the breakout board manufacturer to resolve the issues with their board.