[lolos]

Hi gays I'am converting harrison mill to mach3 cnc.
I have problem with crazy axis movements. I crashed into the vice and bent int30 to er20 collect holder already. I'am bit scary now to do anything with it.
My spec:
OS windows XP with mach3 software.
Smoothstepper +2 china bob lpt breakout boards.
Supply for electronic 5V 12V from PC supply
Everything works but sometimes goes crazy. First time when I machined some steel block, I tried to stop it by pressing stop button and after that Z axis went up by itself, crashed into the vice and bent it. I tried to find what is wrong with it I found that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aQec3N8ong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp2n8N1zoO8
When I am using mpg and trying to change axis same time mill goes mad - go somewhere ...... don't know where really... like on the video. I can stop it by pressing e/stop but after I will press reset button and just touch mpg or key on keyboard she go somewhere again.
I have no idea why. Can Anyone help me with that please. Sorry for my spelling, English is my second language.
cheers

[machinejack]

My experience with Mach is when something goes haywire I dump Mach 3 and use a fresh install. I keep all my axis settings as a hard copy. Thay way if I corrupted the XML file I can always start over plus this has happened quite often.

[lolos]

I already did that, didn't help. I think the smoothstepper is doing that. I am going to try get rid of it tmrw and then try it.

[machinejack]

Another problem when I converted my Bridgeport Boss 5 to CNC I used the old wiring. What I experienced was crosstalk on the cabling. It did crazy things as well. The newer controllers use TTL voltages to operate. Really scratched all my hair out. We used twisted pair wires after my engineer son figured it out and that solved the problem. If you converted the mill this may be your problem. I'm running Mach3, no Smoothstepper, nema 35 motors, Gecko drives, and a CNC4PC BOB. Took me about a year to get it all worked out.
Good luck
Jack

[john-100]

if your using the PC power supply to power the smoothstepper

you could have 2 possible problems

1) either the load on the 5 & 12V outputs is not enough for the power supplies regulator to work correctly
the minimum current load required on the +5V & +12v outputs depends on which version of the ATX power supply your using

2) the common 0V output (black wires) are connected to the mains earth
so you can have an earth loop causing currents to flow along the Ethernet / USB cable connecting the smooth stepper and your PC

which Break out Boards are you using ?

John

[lolos]

I have got LinuxCNC Mach3 Breakout Board - ijohnsen.com Info... BOB
II tried external supply - doesn't work, the same effect. Just one thing even I choose external supply for smooth stepper, there is still a gnd connected to the cover. I think because bob has got 5v supply from USB. By the way If I get rid off smooth stepper still LPT gonna have gnd from pc so - will be connected to earth.

[john-100]

yes , a PC's parallel printer port has pins 18 to 25 connected to the mains earth

your BOB is one I reverse engineered a while ago to answer another post

Attachment 396632

note-
the 12 to 24V power supply powers the PWM to analogue 10V converter and the +10V supply to the opto isolator LED's used for the 5 inputs

so you need to ensure the connections to your spindle motor control board is isolated from the mains supply
(the terminals to the speed control potentiometer for my mini lathe are live !!!!)


using ATX power supply for +5V & +12V supply



John

[lolos]

Thanks
I am not using spindle speed control at all.
I added external PSU 12V and 5V, There are USB ports on BOB's I cut usb cable in half and I used external supply... didn't help, still the same.
I am taking smoothstepper out tmrw, will see .....
Another thing.....My stepper motor controllers are very close to 415V cables....
I have to go slowly step by step and eliminate suspicious things there is no other way I think.
Sad I have everything done nice and got to go into the bits....

[lolos]

Unfortunately, smooth stepper out and still the same!!. No Idea why My next move I am taking all electronic into the bits.....Sad....

[skrubol]

Is the Mach DRO moving when the mill has its errant moves? If so, I think the issue is on input to Mach, not output. How are your MPG and buttons interfaced to Mach?

[lolos]

Yes the DRO is moving. mpg is connected to pins 10,11, axis select I have got on pin 12,13,15 (selector switch). To choose the axis I have the oem trigger set and

Select X for MPG 1	185
Select Y for MPG 1	186
Select Z for MPG 1	187

Just thinking maybe I should use pull up resistor to stop them moving???

I tried also

Select encoder jog on axis X	259
Select encoder jog on axis Y	260
Select encoder jog on axis Z	261

the same issue !!