[dustin033]

I have a DM2400 cnc that is stuck initializing when "yes" is pressed on the controller. When "no" is pressed it lists a few lines and then asks for an axis. When an axis is chosen and I try to jog, nothing happens. I have cleaned the limit switches. The stepper motors seem to be getting power.

I have tried a few different cable configurations when connecting to a computer.
1. 25 pin connector on the cnc (which only has about 5 wires going to it) to 25pin/9pin null modem cable. Open hyperterminal connection and emergency tone is emitted from cnc.
2. 25pin/25pin standard serial cable; emergency tone emitted during hyperterminal connection and in Mach3
3. 25 pin connector from Ah Ha breakout board (connected to dist. board with ribbon cable) to 25pin/25pin standard serial cable; same result

Would an incorrect cable configuration cause the emergency tone? It seems that something else isn't right since the machine will not move using the standard controller. Any ideas?

[Fastest1]

Have YOU ever had it working? From a separate computer and drip feeding? Or just from the console?

[dustin033]

I personally have never seen it run. It was purchased cheap and supposedly it ran 5+ years ago (intermittent Y-axis troubles) with the Ah Ha breakout board and software (I do not have the software).

I know there are many upgrades that can be done to this machine, but right now I'm just looking for some help to get it in working order.

[Fastest1]

That is what I figured. There are a few who claim to have interfaced with them. I have one and it works via Mach3 and a G540.
There was a member here (Tbirdgreg) who had info on how to drip feed the DM2400 with no additional software. He had a link and site though lately I can't find any reference to them. So I am not sure if there was a legal problem.
Upon initialization, does it show the backlash of each axis? Or is it making it that far in?

[dustin033]

It doesn't make it that far in. It only says "initializing."

[Fastest1]

No movement?
IIRC, this was when the homing sequence took place. It would bump each axis against its limit switch and somehow measure and display the backlash.
I would suggest removing the covers over the limit switches. Maybe even clean the switches themselves. It is a very basic switch but it does have gold contacts.

[dustin033]

No movement at all. I have removed the limit switches and cleaned them with electrical contact cleaner and wiped them off. They seem to work correctly when testing with a meter, but the troubleshooting steps in the manual seem to point to the switches being the problem.

[Fastest1]

So you do have a manual. I wonder about jumping the inputs for the limit switches as a test? At least it might move to the next step. Mine worked by the console just fine. But I had no way to communicate.

[dustin033]

I found a copy of the manual online. I had considered that but haven't tried it yet. At least it would narrow it down to the switches if it works.

[Fastest1]

If you did use a a switch or twist the wires together as the test, you could quickly interrupt the signal (pull the wires apart) to mimic a trip. The homing speeds are slow enough to deal with and a stall against a limit will cause no problems with a stepper based system.