Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Step/Direction puzzle

Laptops are known for not always having great TTL output on the parallel
ports. Do you have a desktop you can test on. They tend to be much more
reliable in driving the parallel port fully high and low. Also, where are
you picking up your + 5 VDC to drive the optos? I would be tempted to put a
scope on the offending pin and see how good a job it is doing of swinging
from 0 to 5.

Tim
[Denver, CO]

----- Original Message -----
From: "richiemcb" <richiemcb@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 3:45 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Step/Direction puzzle


> I'm trying to set up a system with 3 Gecko 201's to drive a Sherline
> Mill. To drive the steppers I'm trying out CNCpro and Supercam. When
> I tried these on 2 different laptops I find that the X axis motor
> only turns in 1 direction when jogging using either piece of software
> y direction works fine. If I try it out on a 3rd laptop I can get
> CNCPro to work but not Supercam - it fails with the same problem only
> one direction on the x axis.
>
> I am at a loss to explain this since I'm setting up the pin out's the
> same in the software on each machine. It seem's the x direction
> signal is not being asserted on 2 of the 3 machines. The problem
> seems to follow the software x axis config eg if in Supecam pin 2 and
> 3 is x step and direction it only turns the stepper one way. If I
> assign the y axis to 2,3 the same motor will turn in both directions
> but the motor attatched to 4,5 will now only turn in one direction.
>
> The Gecko's are being driven at 48 volts current limited to 1 amp.
>
> Has anyone got any clues to check out? I'm now doubting my own
> sanity :-)
>
> Richie
>
>
> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/