Re: X- Axis won't do as it's told

Richard,

This sounds like a problem that can be solved quickly.

Get a multimeter and set it to DC volts.
Place the black lead to the PC ground (LPT1 connector shell).
Place the red lead on the G201 DIRECTION terminal (8).
Command a CW move for the axis.
Write down the voltmeter reading.
Command a CCW move.
Write down the voltmeter reading.

One reading must be 0.5VDC or less. The other reading must be 4.5VDC
or more.

Now place the red lead on the G201 terminal 10.
Write down the voltmeter reading.

This reading must be between 4.75VDC and 5.25VDC.

If the first set of readings are wrong, you have a problem with the
parallel port. If the second reading is incorrect, you have a problem
with the PC power supply. If all readings are correct, reply and we
will try something else.

You didn't say if you are using a G210 or a G201.

If it is a G210, are you running the input option header settings
as "common ground"? That can be a problem with weak motherboard LPT1
line drivers. Switch to "common +5VDC" and things should work OK
then. Don't forget to take terminal 10 on the G210 to the PC +5VDVC
(terminal 1 on the game port) when you do that.

Let me know what you find out.

Mariss

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "baccus61" <rich5886@o...> wrote:
> Hi Gang,
> I am slowly going bald here as my router has been playing up on
the
> X- axis ever since I first built it and I am pulling my hair out at
> an alarming rate.
> I am using Gecko drives, 24 volt supply (36v), 20,000uF Cap and all
> the usual stuff crammed into an old computer case. I have tried
> Master5 and CNCPro and Kelly Cam with the same results on all
> programs. This is mark2 of the control box as I thought I may have
> been getting extraneous RF pulses through the circuit causing it to
> malfunction. I had sheilded the control cables with Al foil and
> earthed them at one end without any effect.
> My problem is that the X-Axis is very unstable and has a mind of
> it's own when it comes to the direction I want it to go. Sometimes
> it goes right then all of a sudden it goes left and may go that way
a
> few times then back in the right direction. I had it running
> smoothly 2 days ago and thought I had tweeked it the right way but
> the next day upon startup it behaved erratically and roughly again
> with no intervention on my part. I have tried to slow the pulses
down
> and also set the acceleration to heaps of different values.
> I am now on my 3rd motor as I have tried 3 size 23 1.8deg
different
> value steppers 4 wire and 6 wire and I am now using a size 32 2deg
> stepper. ( my last as I burnt the last 2 out trying different
values
> for the resisters)
> My router has linear bearings on round bar and 3 start 3/8 acme
> teflon coated screws with plastic nuts and runs very smoothly when
> turned by hand with no power on and very little friction so I am
> positive it isn't mechanical.
> The Y and Z axis run very smoothly and I have tried swapping
wires
> around using the drive of another axis but still have the same
> problem. Even went to gearing the drive down with toothed belts
> about 3 to 1 for more power. I am nearly convinced that I am doing
> something wrong with the speed and acceleration settings in the
> software but nothing I try seemes to work. Should I uninstall
> everything and reload the Progs from scratch?
> Before I fitted the 32 stepper I had a vexter 1.8deg 4V 1.4A 4
wire
> motor fitted which ran very smoothly but I always lost a heap of
> steps when doing a project. Sometimes 0.020 in an inch but mostly
> just enough to cut out the side of letters when cutting a sign. It
> was always smooth going right but lost steps when travelling left.
(I
> even tried turning my nut around to face the other way). That is
why
> I went to the larger motor for a bit more grunt just incase things
> were too heavy for it but the problems seems to have worsened.
(very
> stuttery and unsmooth)
> I hope I have given you enough info as I am getting a churning
> feeling in my guts and the 14lb "linear rectifier" is sitting next
to
> the router for some serious tweeking should I not be able to work
> things out. This has been going on for 4 months and I can't seem
to
> find anything in this list that has helped yet and I have scoured
it
> nearly every night in that time. This list has been a godsend for
> building my machine and it is so frustrating to be so close yet so
> far so I hope an angel is out there watching over me that can help.
> Warm regards
> Richard.