[xairflyer]

Is there any standard for how the parrallel port is wired.
e.g On some the x,y,z step are on pins 2,3,4 and dir on pins 6,7,8

others have x step on pin2 with x dir on pin3 and so on.

Also regarding the home and limit pins is this just all asigned by the software.

[ger21]

Depends on the software. Some controllers don't let you change the pins. Usually the step and direction are consecutive. X step=2, X dir=3, something like that. With Most controllers, however, all the pins are assigned in the software.

I think that there are some limitations though. I think some pins can be output only and some can be input (limits and home) only. Not really sure, though.

[pminmo]

No standard, but seems a lot of the boards follow the EMC pinout at least partially. EMC doesn't have software pin configuration. Here is a table that I put together:

Phil

[JFettig]

glad you asked, I was just gonna ask
Im going to be soldering right to the connector, do I only need 2,3 and 6,7 for x and z to hook directly? or do I need a ground somewhere? I should be running 5v off the computers power supply right, for gecko drives,
Jon

[ViperTX]

You will need a ground. You should use a separate power supply for the Geckos.

[JFettig]

I am using a separate power supply to power them, but the common is 5v right? or is that a ground on the parallel port connector?

Jon

[ViperTX]

I am using a separate power supply to power them, but the common is 5v right? or is that a ground on the parallel port connector?

Jon

The common that everything (PC signals to Geckos) is referenced to should be ground and that ground is from the Parallel Port connector ground.

[JFettig]

Oh ok, I just remembered seeing on my breakout board, 5v pin pin gnd for outputs from the breakout board and the diagram showed the 5v connected to the geckos and thats what I have been doing and it works.

Jon

[sol]

Which Geckos?!
"Common" is positive +5v from computer power supply on 320s...not parallel port ground.

[JFettig]

G201s, yeah thats what I thought, is that for sure?

Jon

[sol]

Yup
http://www.geckodrive.com/ycom/docum...EV4_MANUAL.pdf
http://www.geckodrive.com/ycom/docum...EV5_MANUAL.pdf

[ViperTX]

Okay pin 10 of the Geckos is not a Common in electrical terms it is a common point for the anodes of the optical isolators which means that you have to supply +5 VDC from some source, +5 VDC is not available on the parallel port. My preference would be to have a +5VDC source where the Geckos reside and not draping a +5 VDC from your PC.

[pminmo]

You need a 5vdc source such as a wall wart. If I'm reading the Gecko document correct, (Gecko) Pin 12 is the 5 volt from the wall wart. (Gecko) Pin 10 and (Gecko) pin 11 would be connected to your PC's db25 for direction and step signals for the appropriate axis. On the db25 of your computer you pickup the PC PPports gnd on pins 18-25 and wire that to the wall wart negative.

Phil

[xairflyer]

so what are the x,y,z enables for ? are they to switch the motors on and off ?

[JFettig]

I believe they are to turn the drives on and off.

[pminmo]

The enable from the PPort are to enable that axis's Driver. For example the machine was sitting idle for a long time, the motors would still be pulling current if that axis was enabled.

Phil

[xairflyer]

So the idea would be to have these feeding a relay circuit on each axis

[MrBean]

No. It just enables or disables the drive. No need for relays.
I suppose in effect you already have solid state relays in the driver circuitry. The enable signal is 5V to 5V though. It disables the high output side of the driver using the 5V logic side of the driver from the 5V on the LPT.

Regards Terry.....

[Stevie]