[kwackers]

Hi, I bought this a while ago to avoid Mach 3 and a PC and it's been working well other than an issue with the probe (I couldn't get it to reset the Y when it touched).

I'm not massively familiar with G-codes etc, I 'get' what they do but I'm a lazy CNC'ist. I mostly use vCarve to generate a file full of the stuff, push it onto a memory stick, plug it in and press go.

So thanks to this thread I found the contact details and obtained a newer version of the firmware (4.0.7 apparently).
I've installed it and set everything up but when I boot I get a "AtuoGM Data ERROR!" box appear (I assume that should read Auto), it then takes me to an AutoGM configuration dialog and at this point I'm stuck.
I've read the bit at https://www.shaogecnc.com/smc5-5-n-n/ on AutoGM but I don't understand it, it sounds like it wants me to create a set of files but containing what?
I don't remember anything about it on the original version (3.7.1).

So before I do a factory reset does anyone have any pointers?

Thanks.

[Corhoin]

I suppose you'll be safer if you do a full factory reset after a major firmware version upgrade. You may still have old versions of the AutoGM macro files in the internal memory card, or perhaps the file structure of the card has changed in version 4.x.x firmwares. If nothing else helps, formatting the memory disk with code 010101 should help.

From "the manufacturer's web site (shaogecnc.com):
If an error occurs after upgrading, please enter in factory mode, 000001, to restore the factory state.
If the overall system disk speed is slow after upgrading, please format the memory disk. The factory mode code is 010101. Note that the memory disk data will be cleared.

For newer versions (upgrade from 4.0.2 to 4.0.6 for example), just a couple of reboots seems to do the job. I suppose these upgrades have no changes in the memory card files.

PS. According to some of my early photos of my controllers, firmware version 4.0.1 (2020-9-1) has "AutoGM" written correctly in the Machine Configuration menu. The typo "AtuoGM" could be a more recent upgrade in 4.0.2 (2020-10-10) and newer versions... It would be nice to have these small typos corrected, but even more important would be to have some instructions and explanations for the many unknown functions and menu entries! And there are still a few buttons in the front panel which seemingly have no use...

[kwackers]

I suppose you'll be safer if you do a full factory reset after a major firmware version upgrade. You may still have old versions of the AutoGM macro files in the internal memory card, or perhaps the file structure of the card has changed in version 4.x.x firmwares. If nothing else helps, formatting the memory disk with code 010101 should help.

From "the manufacturer's web site (shaogecnc.com):
If an error occurs after upgrading, please enter in factory mode, 000001, to restore the factory state.
If the overall system disk speed is slow after upgrading, please format the memory disk. The factory mode code is 010101. Note that the memory disk data will be cleared.

For newer versions (upgrade from 4.0.2 to 4.0.6 for example), just a couple of reboots seems to do the job. I suppose these upgrades have no changes in the memory card files.

PS. According to some of my early photos of my controllers, firmware version 4.0.1 (2020-9-1) has "AutoGM" written correctly in the Machine Configuration menu. The typo "AtuoGM" could be a more recent upgrade in 4.0.2 (2020-10-10) and newer versions... It would be nice to have these small typos corrected, but even more important would be to have some instructions and explanations for the many unknown functions and menu entries! And there are still a few buttons in the front panel which seemingly have no use...

Ah, OK - so "factory reset" doesn't do what I supposed and return me to 3.7.1?
I'll give that a go.

[edit]
Thanks that worked. Just need to enter everything again.

I completely misunderstood the meaning of a factory reset, I assumed it was a last ditch "if all else fails it'll take you back to where you were" sort of thing.

[Arjcnc]

I have bought SMC5-5-N-N. It came with latest firmware dated feb/march 2021. But, it has been waste of money for me. It does not work with my closed loop nema 34 motors and hybrid drivers. Disappointed.

[Corhoin]

Hi Arjcnc,

This is interesting. How does the problem with closed loop steppers and their drives show? What model drives are you using and how did you connect them?
I've successfully used normal open loop steppers and DM542 type drives, and I don't see how closed loop drives would be very much differently connected if they use the normal "step" and "direction" inputs.

For the DM542 drives for example, you'll need to connect three wires between the SMC5 controller and each drive : +5V, "step" (PUL) and "direction" (DIR). The +5V line is looped to both positive "step" and "dir" inputs on the drive side and the PUL / DIR signals to the relevant negative "step" and "direction" inputs on the drive.

[Arjcnc]

Hi Arjcnc,

This is interesting. How does the problem with closed loop steppers and their drives show? What model drives are you using and how did you connect them?
I've successfully used normal open loop steppers and DM542 type drives, and I don't see how closed loop drives would be very much differently connected if they use the normal "step" and "direction" inputs.

For the DM542 drives for example, you'll need to connect three wires between the SMC5 controller and each drive : +5V, "step" (PUL) and "direction" (DIR). The +5V line is looped to both positive "step" and "dir" inputs on the drive side and the PUL / DIR signals to the relevant negative "step" and "direction" inputs on the drive.

I connected exactly the way you described. It does not turn the motors at all. I moved the connections from smc5 to mach3 controller board which works fine. I will give it another go when I have some time. May be it’s something to do with the settings.
I am using LeadShine HBS86H drivers.

[chupepe]

I connected exactly the way you described. It does not turn the motors at all. I moved the connections from smc5 to mach3 controller board which works fine. I will give it another go when I have some time. May be it’s something to do with the settings.
I am using LeadShine HBS86H drivers.

Weird, I plugged my SMC-5-5-n-n to some 220v AC servos (closed loop of course) using some old Tamagawa drivers, and after configuring them it works great using PUL/DIR, I'm sure it will work if you check everything in wired up & configured correctly

BTW, I too have a DM542 driver for the Z axis of my CNC, and it is a nema 23 stepper, which works great, are you sure you did plug in the DC+ & GND to the stepper?, I know it may seem stupid, but it does need it on top of the DIR/PUL signals, maybe their is a wire having issues in there?

Hope that helps.

[Biggyboy]

I have bought SMC5-5-N-N. It came with latest firmware dated feb/march 2021. But, it has been waste of money for me. It does not work with my closed loop nema 34 motors and hybrid drivers. Disappointed.

Hum... that's interesting about the closed loop stuff!
Ahh... they have a newer firmware update, I'll have to request it, if only I could remember how to get it?


Glen

[Guihome]

Hi, I bought this a while ago to avoid Mach 3 and a PC and it's been working well other than an issue with the probe (I couldn't get it to reset the Y when it touched).

I'm not massively familiar with G-codes etc, I 'get' what they do but I'm a lazy CNC'ist. I mostly use vCarve to generate a file full of the stuff, push it onto a memory stick, plug it in and press go.

So thanks to this thread I found the contact details and obtained a newer version of the firmware (4.0.7 apparently).
I've installed it and set everything up but when I boot I get a "AtuoGM Data ERROR!" box appear (I assume that should read Auto), it then takes me to an AutoGM configuration dialog and at this point I'm stuck.
I've read the bit at https://www.shaogecnc.com/smc5-5-n-n/ on AutoGM but I don't understand it, it sounds like it wants me to create a set of files but containing what?
I don't remember anything about it on the original version (3.7.1).

So before I do a factory reset does anyone have any pointers?

Thanks.

Where did you find the probing option? I only can probe the bed or the part on the z axis..
Thanks