[Pairair]

Hi all!
I'm wiring up a small machine for engraving/pcb milling. I have x and y axis working, but z axis, which has a smaller servo motor, just spins endlessly. No fault led or anything. Using HEDS 5540 encoders, wired up with pull-up's and capacitor between Vcc and ground. I had this motor working while bench testing, but now I just can't seem to make it work...

Any help welcome!

/Pär

[Pairair]

...oh, and with motor leads (armature + & -) disconnected, the encoder works as per the G320X manual.

[bill south]

Try reversing the motor leads.
It has worked for me in the past.
Bill

[BobWarfield]

Try reversing the motor leads.
It has worked for me in the past.
Bill

LOL, I like that. The encoder says, "move one to the right". The drive sends a pulse to move right. But the leads are reversed, so it moves one left. Now it says, "move two to the right".

Just one question though, shouldn't it fault pretty quickly rather than run continuously if the following error is getting bigger and bigger?

FWIW, here are my debugging notes:

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCDebug.htm

I would really want to make sure the drive isn't getting a step pulse that commands the motor to move. That link I give tells how to use your multimeter to see whether you're getting step pulses.

Cheers,

BW

[Pairair]

Thanks Bill. I had tried that, and to swap the encoder A & B leads.

Just one question though, shouldn't it fault pretty quickly rather than run continuously if the following error is getting bigger and bigger?

Exactly my thought.

FWIW, here are my debugging notes:

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCDebug.htm

I would really want to make sure the drive isn't getting a step pulse that commands the motor to move. That link I give tells how to use your multimeter to see whether you're getting step pulses.

Cheers,

BW

I read your page earlier today, very helpful. I'll look into it in more detail... as soon as the kids are asleep.

/Pär

[MattTheNoob]

Are you using an external 5v supply, or the supply in the gecko?

I had your exact sypmtoms using an external supply because I didn't have the neut. of the external supply connected to the encoder neut on the gecko.

Aslo, I don't know your encoder, but make sure it doesn't pull more current than then gecko (if you are not using an external PS) can handle, 100mA is it?