[Nutron]

It took me a while to learn the in's and out's of step and direction signals as well as figuring out just how the old Microkinetics OptiStep Plus 8 bit ISA card worked (DOS Based), but I am pleased to say, I did it. I now have Mach3 software controlling my Torchmate I using the Microkinetics SuperDrive Multi-Axis Power Driver. The key was changing where the DM4050 stepper motor driver cards received their 5 volt reference signal. In the next day or so I will add a couple of pictures along with a detailed description of what I changed to make it all work together.

[PlasmaGuy]

Nutron,

I guess we are the few and the brave that are using the MicroKinetics system.

I would really appreciate learning more about your system.
The computer I am using is a dinosaur and the card will not operate in the computers. The Optistep system may have been a useful item in it's time but it is very dated.

You are no longer using the Superscribe software? Mach 3 has totally replaced that software?

Thank you and good luck!

Tom

[Nutron]

Hey Tom,

Yes, I have completely eliminated the need for the dedicated OptiStep card as well as that old DOS based SuperScribe software. I am now using a newer PC running Windows XP and Mach3 alone to operate the plasma gantry and cutter. The Parallel port has replaced that antique card that connected the PC to the SuperDrive power supply/motion controller box. This weekend I will get some pictures and a schematic of what I changed posted. I am sure we can't be the only two with these older setups that would like to upgrade without spending a fortune.

[PlasmaGuy]

Are you running NEMA 23 or 34 frame motors? I am running 23 motors and they are under sized especially on the X axis. On the X- axis one motor drives both sides of the gantry. Heck to be able to use a master and slave with 23's would be a huge help!

Which superdrive box did you have to buy?.

I look forward to your photos.

I congratulate you on taking the initiative to look for an alternate to the status quo!

Tom

[Hobart]

Hey Tom,

Yes, I have completely eliminated the need for the dedicated OptiStep card as well as that old DOS based SuperScribe software. I am now using a newer PC running Windows XP and Mach3 alone to operate the plasma gantry and cutter. The Parallel port has replaced that antique card that connected the PC to the SuperDrive power supply/motion controller box. This weekend I will get some pictures and a schematic of what I changed posted. I am sure we can't be the only two with these older setups that would like to upgrade without spending a fortune.

I have this setup, did you ever post the pics and schematics for this?

thanks

[ttownbill]

I have this setup, did you ever post the pics and schematics for this?

thanks

I also am trying to use Mach3 to be able to run my antique Torchmate plasma table.
Did anyone ever post pictures on how they wired up to their MicroKenetics Optistep Plus driver so Mach3 will run it?
5 volt rewire?

[Nutron]

Tom,

I'm embarrassed to say I do not know which if either NEMA standard motors I have. I bought and built this machine in 1998 and have had no troubles with it at all other than cut quality on certain things due to the way the SuperScribe software handles feed speed.

That being said, if this works, here is a picture of one of my motors. Both axis are the same.

[Nutron]

Here is a picture of the SuperDrive box I have. Inside it contains two DM4050 motion controllers, a motor power supply and a logic power supply as well as its own breakout board and it's own controller front panel board. Oh, not to mention two solid state relays.

[PlasmaGuy]

Those are 23 frame motors. How are you driving the X-axis?

Did you find the SuperDrive used or did you buy it new?

[Nutron]

I bought the SuperDrive new when I purchased the Torchmate Kit. Inside the S-Drive case are two MicroKinetics DM4050 motion controller cards. One for the X axis & the other for the Y. I'm utilizing them just as that antique OptiStep card once was. They accept standard Step and Direction signals, and so I set up Mach 3 to supply that via the same pins the OptiStep card did.

[PlasmaGuy]

Nutron,

Here are the pictures of my Mighty Drive.

Your Super Drive has a lot more guts I think.
It really excites me to know that you have deleted Superscribe.

Microkinetics advertises on CNCZone so they are still a player. I have got accustomed to Superscribe and it has worked for 13 years with a hitch. I have had two Uno cards fail and the main board in the Mighty-Drive fail but our table is used weekly if not daily so it's been more than a hobby kit.

I have read a lot about Mach on this forum and CandCNC uses Mach in his system too.

[islandman18]

Nutron. I have a vintage Torchmate that I built from a kit in the late 90s. I have made a lot of money with it but have always hated the DOS Superscribe program, the floopy disk, beater computer with the floppy failures, etc. I want to do what you did. Hopefully, I can figure it out from what you have said here. It took me a loooooong time to figure out CorellDraw and the quirks of this machine, so I'm hoping my 10 years experience will make it easier this time. So, Mach3, replace the Mighty Drive with a Superdrive box and get rid of DOS, Superscribe, the card in the computer, the floppy drive, etc. Sounds great. I don't quite understand the part about breaking off the pins on the cable, but I'll go back and read it again and maybe a bulb will go on in the old noggen. If I need some more tips, is there an email where I can contact you? This is my first time here and I'm not sure how things work. Great post by the way.

[Nutron]

PlasmaGuy,

As I have time today or this eve I will look over the documentation I just downloaded the for Microkinetics hardware you are using and will give u my opinion on what to do. From what I saw at a glance you should have no problems doing what I did and freeing yourself from the antique hardware and software. First thing first though: ***** DO NOT PLUG YOUR 25 pin CABLE INTO YOUR PARALLEL PORT ***** The mighty drive box (same as my SuperDrive box, sends +5 volts out on pin #25 and -5 volts (aka ground) out on pin #23. This is where the OptiStep card gets its power and subsequently will send step, direction, and output signals back to the mighty drive box. Your parallel port has pin numbers 18 - 25 all internally tied to a single ground. If u plug your 25 pin cable from the parallel port to the mighty drive box you will pop a 3 amp fuse inside the mighty drive and nothing will work. So, for now go get you a male to male Db25 pin parallel cable. I found them all day long on eBay for about 10 bucks. Once you have that cable, you will need to physically remove pin # 25 from each end of the cable. I did it by simply wiggling the pin back & forth until it snapped off at its base.

More to come,

Todd

[PlasmaGuy]

Todd,

Thanks a bunch!

Tom

[newarkprecision]

is that all you have to do to make mighty drive work. Remove pin 25

[newarkprecision]

This is what i found and it works for getting spindle output relay to work.
Setup Mach3 to use output to pin #9 (read setup on spindle noted on Mach3 website)
Pin #9 on serial port on computer is a output on and off of 5 vdc.
On Microkinetics Mighty Drive Pin #11 is a input requiring + 5vdc on and off to activate and deactivate solid state relay.
unplug relay inside mighty drive
what i did was remove wire from pin#9 on cable ran the wire to solid state relay on positive side.
for a ground i ran it from shield on plug to negative on relay.
Now thinking about it I think I could of simply soldered pin#9 wire into pin#11. Not sure.
You will need a plug that you can take apart to acess these wires

As I have time today or this eve I will look over the documentation I just downloaded the for Microkinetics hardware you are using and will give u my opinion on what to do. From what I saw at a glance you should have no problems doing what I did and freeing yourself from the antique hardware and software. First thing first though: ***** DO NOT PLUG YOUR 25 pin CABLE INTO YOUR PARALLEL PORT ***** The mighty drive box (same as my SuperDrive box, sends +5 volts out on pin #25 and -5 volts (aka ground) out on pin #23. This is where the OptiStep card gets its power and subsequently will send step, direction, and output signals back to the mighty drive box. Your parallel port has pin numbers 18 - 25 all internally tied to a single ground. If u plug your 25 pin cable from the parallel port to the mighty drive box you will pop a 3 amp fuse inside the mighty drive and nothing will work. So, for now go get you a male to male Db25 pin parallel cable. I found them all day long on eBay for about 10 bucks. Once you have that cable, you will need to physically remove pin # 25 from each end of the cable. I did it by simply wiggling the pin back & forth until it snapped off at its base.

More to come,

Todd[/QUOTE]

[Jerry Honkanen]

Todd
I poster you to say thanks for the post. I am not sure but I may need help working this forum this is my third attempt at this. I have my machine sheet metal and paint done and just recieved the laser tube and power supply. More wires. I am a little nervous about changing it to Mach3 but I dont know how to make Microkinetics controll 5v for TTL low and so far I don't think they know how eather. It will fire soon and then I will have to do something!!
Thanks again
Jerry Honkanen

[Jerry Honkanen]

Todd
I am in the process of building a laser co2.40w for engraving. I set it up with microkinetics from a plasma table. Laser progress wood picturws 004.3gp - YouTube
laser picture 1 video-2013-01-23-11-35-35.3gp - YouTube here are some earlier youtube pics. My problem is I can't figure out how to fire the laser with the software. All my other machines run with Mach and there are plugins that will run my laser with Mach. You are the first person that has had any luck with a change over. But it does not Google well so I been running around in circles. I would appreciate it if you would fire anything you post on the subject to me?
Thanks
Jerry Honkanen

[dubby]

A bump to ask about that solid state relay...

I wired straight across pin 9 to 11, it worked and got my outlet turned on my mighty drive powered microkinetics 5400 mill. Problem is, it's backwards--should be off, but is actually on. I'm wondering if your method by actually changing the polarity on the relay was a better plan? If I can't find a way inside LinuxCNC to reverse the switch output then I'll crack the box open and look at how it's hardwired.

[bboaz]

Nutron
I just found this site today. I have the exact same system that you have. It has set idle in the corner for a long time because of the old MSDOS operating system. Like islandman 18, I am having trouble realizing exactly what you did to change the old Torchmate Plasma cutter into a Windows XP and Mach3 system using the superdrive box and the 23M800 stepper motors. Correct me if I am wrong but you installed Mach3 in a computer using windows XP, broke pin #25 off in a parallel port cable plugged everything in and it worked?