Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: stepper problem

andrewyslee wrote:

> What are the symtoms of a driver having step and direction signals
> switched? Suppose the driver is commanded to move 10 pulse clockwise.
> So we have 10 pulses wrongly going to the direction terminal while
> the step signal will be, say, +5V constant. This may explain
> the "tingling" sound plus no motion?

Could be. Due to the way software-generated step-direction signals are
created, almost anything could happen. If the software is careful to never
cause a transition on the DIR pin except when the direction actually changes,
then nothing should happen, not even 'tingling'. But, many programs cause the
direction pin to change between step pulses.

> Now suppose the driver is now commanded to move 10 steps counter-
> clockwise. Now the step signal will be 0 volt while we still have 10
> pulses wrongly sent to the direction terminals of the Geckos.
> Theoretically, we'll still have no motion plus perhaps
> still "tingling" sound from the stepper?

But, when you change direction, then the driver should see at least one pulse
on the dir pin as a step. Which way it goes is harder to determine. But, if the
software causes the dir signal to come and go in one direction, it could cause
the driver to only move in one direction. It should be easy to switch the wires
and see if the problem clears up.

Jon