Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: need a transformer

Recently ,I have been seeing more and more issues with newer computers not having sufficent output on the parallel port. The output voltage is about 3.2 volts on them but the Gecko drives require 4.2V but I have seen them run quite well at 3.8V.
To see if this is the problem look at the end of the cable coming from the parallel port. Locate the pin numbers that you set up in the config file for X direction. Place a wire in this pin and connect a voltmeter set to about 20VDC. Connect the red lead to the X dir pin and the black lead to pin 18 of the parallel port. Read the voltage Then using the jog keys jog the axis in both directions recording the voltage. If is is around 3.2 to 3.3 VDC then that may be your problem. You will need a parallel port booster to up the ouput to 5VDC
Dan Mauch
low cost stepper and servo motors.
cases for Gecko drives
kits and assembled 3-4 axis drives
www.camtronics-cnc.com
www.seanet.com/~dmauch

----- Original Message -----
From: turbulatordude
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 6:24 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: need a transformer


--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Jessie" <rebel307@...> wrote:
>
> Jon,
> The steppers are on a 2:1 ratio with the screws. That works out
> too 20,000 steps per inch with microstepping and 40,000 on the Z
> cause its geared down even more. The motors when they take off and
> run, run smooth as silk. I did all the tuning on the geckos, got
> compentation for the bigger motors set, got the trimpot set to run
> as smoothly as possable. In mach2 enhanced pulsing is on, motor
> ramping is set on the Z as low as possable. On the X&Y it dont have
> to be so picky about the ramping but on the Z I can set it to 5IPM
> with nothing but ramping and it still stalls. Zaxis also has air
> assist.
> The computer, AMD athalon XP 2000+ 256megs ram. Kernel speed runs
> smoothly at 45K. Also the computer is setup just for mach2, nothing
> else installed its on a clean install of XP. I tried slowing it to
> 25K and still no help. I havnt got the machine up and going at the
> moment cause I just moved, need to assemble everything into the new
> shop. This computer is an Athalon64 3800+ and it might go into the
> shop on the mill if I build another machine for personal use. So far
> havnt seen the need for a new computer here.
>
> Jessie

If it stalls so easily, I would put a hand crank on it and verify that
the axis moves freely.

Dave





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