Re: Mach2 and parallel port cards - Dave

I haven't read this whole thread, but I have a simple suggestion if
you are trying for a single "spurt" upon a command. If you use a
time delay relay (generally octal socket compatable), they normally
have a know on top to select the legnth of the time of activation. A
signal (pulse or switch push) to the relay will cause it to latch for
the period of time you have selected and then de-activate. Many
commercial garage door openers use a couple of these to keep the door
open after you turn the key until you can pull your car in/out, but
the time delays on those specific models will probably be too long
for your application. Check out www.digikey.com (I have no
relationship with them). Please remember: you can use a relay to
control the coil of another one. If you need more time delayed poles
working in congunction with each other, simply add another relay with
its coil in series with the time delay one and its poles will mimik
the other one's. If you need guidance, contact me off list.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "turbulatordude"
<davemucha@j...> wrote:

> Thanks guys,
>
> I need slower speeds, but more on and off relays.
>
> I want to spritz tapping fluid, not spray or stream it out. so on
> each hole, I need one spritz.
>
> part clamp, spindle on, and a timer is tied into the spindle relay
> and a counter on the clamp for hole count between bit replacement.
>
> so I ran out of outputs, and those I do use are not high speed.
>
> I think I run at 15khz on one motor as the max so even that is slow
> enough to make it all work.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "caudlet" <info@t...> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Art,
> > >
> > > can you elaborate a little ? does this mean you can use 2 (or
> > more)
> > > cards to run lots of motors ? or lots of I/O's ? I know there

is

> > > some limit, but 4 motors, 4 outs and 5 ins in kinda limiting.
> > >
> > > (address the Game port ?)
> > >
> > > I have 4 steppers now and would like to add a 5th. and would
> like
> > to
> > > have a couple more outputs for clamps and flood, spray or drop
> > > coolants.
> > >
> > > Dave
> >
> > Dave: I am currently running two parallel port cards in my MACH

2

> > machine. I had to add the second card in order to have enough
> inputs
> > for the THC project. The PCI buss cards come with their own

driver

> > that does the Windows Plug'n Pray. Instead of putting the card

at

> > the next available standard port setting (0278h) it gets "smart"
> and
> > assigns some weird I/O address then remaps that address to LPT2.
> > That's just great for things that use an LPT call for printing

but

> > not for programs that address the port directly. Art became

aware

> of
> > the problem and included the ability in MACH 2 to assign any
> address
> > you want to the second port. Two cards give you 10 inputs and

over

> > twice that in outputs. While the PC will handle at least 3
> parallel
> > ports I don't think MACH 2 will do more than 2. There might be

an

> > issue with having to read all of those port pins every few
> > milliseconds that is a limiting factor. Art can confirm/deny

that

> > allegation.
> >
> > You have to upgrade to MACH2 and It's somewhat of a culture shock
> > after you get used to MACH1, but the good news is that unlike

every

> > other software company out there the upgrade is FREE!