603,979 active members*
1,382 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > WoodWorking Machines > DIY CNC Router Table Machines > Zen Toolworks > Zen Toolworks electronics set up problems
Results 1 to 2 of 2
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    12

    Zen Toolworks electronics set up problems

    Hello and thank you for looking.
    I just went through hooking up my [ELECTRONICS] and my motors don't seem to be working right. I followed the instructions and hooked up the electronics and I don't think I missed anything.


    The motors are making a weird grinding noise and they all react when I try to jog them from Mach 3. Sometimes only one motor will move and sometimes it will move and then reverse direction on the next move. They are also getting hot.
    I used the settings on the wiki page, but I must have missed something.




    I'm fairly new to this and would LOVE to get this thing up and running as soon as possible so any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you .

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    0
    Sounds like your problems are similar to mine, I am NOT running Mach3 (at the moment...GRBL/Arduino for now) but Ill give you the run down that I did - and you can go from there.

    1.) Are you using the 7x7 or ?? The 7x7 uses 1.6amp stepper motors. The DEFAULT setup for those TB6560 is 2.5 amp. This equalls SUPER hot motors (and probably dead motors if you dont fix it fast) There are some DIP switches on the sides of the controlers - set them to the lowest setting (0.8amp?). You can always bump it up later. My machine works fine at 0.8 amps.

    2.) While your down there...Check the DIP settings for microstepping. If they are set to where you want them, switch them, and switch it back. Maybe the DIPs didnt engage correctly. (I am using 8x)

    3.) This is probably GRBL/Arduino specific, but it is important to note that by telling to the controller to go to "x10" means it will travel to x=+10. Then, if you input "x15" it will NOT go to x=+25. It will go to X=+15. It took me a while to figure out why they motors would be 10mm one time, then only 5mm the next - then 50 when I typed x-25! (G1 commands the machine to move to the designated location, in relation to 0,0,0)

    Thats all I can think of for now. If you have your stepper motor SPEED too high, they will scream and not move (not enough torque?)

    Hopefully one of those solves it. Oh, and make sure you have your Estop ready!

    Goodluck

Similar Threads

  1. Zen ToolWorks CNC Kit
    By Lakes in forum Want To Buy...Need help!
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 12-06-2010, 03:41 AM
  2. Zen toolworks
    By phatjap in forum CNC (Mill / Lathe) Control Software (NC)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-19-2010, 08:36 PM
  3. Zen Toolworks
    By borud in forum Norwegian
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-16-2010, 12:18 PM
  4. Electronics problems
    By andycorleone in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-12-2008, 01:22 PM
  5. Newbie-Electronics Problems
    By blfuller123 in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-07-2007, 02:08 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •