[ZedWings]

Hi guys,

First post here so, Hi.

I'm having issues with this machine I've bought. It's a 100w CO2 system. It's manufactured by a Chinese company called Unich. Model number is LJX-9060.

So far, technical support from Unich has been lazy and uninterested. The problem is that the table will not move. When I opened the side of the machine, there was a red light on the Microstep driver for the Z axis. Interestingly, the driver pin was ON/OFF was set to 'OFF', when I switched it to 'ON' the green light came on but goes red as soon as I try to move the laser.

Can anyone offer some advice? I've attached some pics.

Many thanks,

Gerard

[A_Camera]

I see that Enable is not wired up. You need to connect that as well, otherwise the driver will not be able to work.

A side note: Remove that silica gel pack.

[ZedWings]

I see that Enable is not wired up. You need to connect that as well, otherwise the driver will not be able to work.

A side note: Remove that silica gel pack.

Thanks for the reply! It's nice to finally get some advice on this. I assume I need to connect a wire between both inputs on that block? I'm actually not sure that they are wired on the other axis steppers, however they work.

Many thanks

Gerard

[A_Camera]

Thanks for the reply! It's nice to finally get some advice on this. I assume I need to connect a wire between both inputs on that block? I'm actually not sure that they are wired on the other axis steppers, however they work.

Many thanks

Gerard

You're welcome. Regarding the wiring of enable, my CNC has all enable signals wired in parallel to one output, I don't know how yours needs to be connected. Have a look at the other axes as well. Perhaps they have just missed the wiring for this axis during the installation. It proves that they have not test run the machine before shipping, which is bad. You can check the other axes and wire the missing one similarly. Anyway, inputs should not be left floating, as it is in your case, because that might result in random errors. EN- should be connected to GND and EN+ to an output or to +5V if it is not controlled by the software. I don't know which software you are using, but Mach3 and UCCNC (the ones I am using) allows configuration of outputs to set the enable signal.

[109jb]

On most Chinese drives the enable pin should really be called a disable pin. If it isn't connected it is enabled already.

[A_Camera]

On most Chinese drives the enable pin should really be called a disable pin. If it isn't connected it is enabled already.

OK, I have no idea about "most", but the ones I have (DQ542MA) which is similar to the one the OP shows, definitely require the Enable signal, otherwise it is not working. Even the famous 3-axis "blue card" I had a few years ago required that. Apart from that I have no idea.

Regardless of which, it will not hurt if the OP tried to connect the signal to see if it helps to solve his problem. In any case, floating inputs is bad engineering practice.

[109jb]

I'm not trying to get into a pissing match about this. I'm just trying to help the OP to not chase ghosts. He can easily see if the drive is enabled by powering up and trying to rotate the stepper. If enabled it will be difficult to rotate and when disabled will rotate easily.

If the pin does need +5V to enable the drive, for testing, I would recommend just jumpering +5V to the pin rather than going through all the setup, assigning pins in software, etc. That can be done later if desired.

As for leaving the pin floating, the drive manufacturers actually say this is OK in the manuals. For example the Leadshine DM542 manual states:

"Enable signal: This signal is used for enabling/disabling the driver. High level (NPN control
signal, PNP and differential control signals are on the contrary, namely low level for enabling.)
for enabling the driver and low level for disabling the driver. Usually left UNCONNECTED
(ENABLED). "

[A_Camera]

I'm not trying to get into a pissing match about this. I'm just trying to help the OP to not chase ghosts. He can easily see if the drive is enabled by powering up and trying to rotate the stepper. If enabled it will be difficult to rotate and when disabled will rotate easily.

If the pin does need +5V to enable the drive, for testing, I would recommend just jumpering +5V to the pin rather than going through all the setup, assigning pins in software, etc. That can be done later if desired.

As for leaving the pin floating, the drive manufacturers actually say this is OK in the manuals. For example the Leadshine DM542 manual states:

"Enable signal: This signal is used for enabling/disabling the driver. High level (NPN control
signal, PNP and differential control signals are on the contrary, namely low level for enabling.)
for enabling the driver and low level for disabling the driver. Usually left UNCONNECTED
(ENABLED). "

Yes I know, I read the manual. I agree, it is an easy test to check if the stepper is enabled or not. If it can be manually rotated it is disabled, if not then it is enabled. Assuming the OP can easily access the motor axis.