Messages

1

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Mach4 and probing

« on: April 11, 2018, 04:05:29 PM »

I am having probing problems that started to occur with the new firmware.  when I do a probe an go back to z0, it overshoots by .048ish and will not complete command.  Debug shows that the board is not sending a motor 02 stop.  for more info, please see post on M4 forum.  any help would be appreciated.  I have not changed the millisleep time since I dont know if it pertains and what I am affecting.


Thanks

2

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Error 7 when attempting to Home

« on: January 23, 2016, 01:22:03 PM »

"PMDX-SMARTBOB-USB DEVICE ERROR: SYSTEM ERROR (7): Motion Underrun"

I am also getting this error on occasion.  It does not seem to  occur at the same instance while running my programs.  I restart the program and Re-Zero my AXIS since I am afraid that it is loosing its position when this occurs.  I have not tried to increase my buffer yet, but will do so.

3

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: USB Cable Length - PMDX 422

« on: November 13, 2015, 09:56:05 AM »

Sorry for the delay on this, it appears that the problem I was having was due to the USB connector on the 422, I plugged in the header to USB and using that connection, everything seems to be working.  I am using my longer cable that I was never able to use.  I tried the cable that you sent, and I still had the problems through the front connector.  Is there any circuitry between the Board USB and the Header pins.  If there is not, then the only thing I can imagine being wrong with the unit is possibly a bad solder joint.

4

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: USB Cable Length - PMDX 422

« on: October 28, 2015, 11:58:55 AM »

FYI I just ordered the Header to USB mount to give it a try in case the connector is bad.  Plus I needed one anyway.

5

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: USB Cable Length - PMDX 422

« on: October 28, 2015, 11:19:03 AM »

I thought it was the connector also initially.  and have tried wiggling it and checking how far it seated, but that did not seem to be the issue.  I am using the onboard connector.  I purchased what I thought was the panel mount connector with the pin connectors to remote another usb, but when it came I was just a usb extension that panel mounted, but plugged into the front of the unit, it was a mistake on my part when ordering.

I have not purchased another usb cable, but I guess for process of elimination, I will go ahead and order one.

Also, keep in mind that every change that I made, I had to unplug and re plug the cable.  I have a 5v power supply driving the opto sensors and I will try to connect it to the board to see if that helps.

When you tested with the longer cables, did you notice a voltage drop at your board due to the additional length?  I was seeing a .6v drop with my longer cable, if you are not seeing any drop that may be the issue.

If I do run 5v power to the board, will I have to power down the whole unit, or press the reset button if it locks up?

6

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: USB Cable Length - PMDX 422

« on: October 27, 2015, 04:38:43 PM »

I want to note that when I loose communication, a restart of just mach will not restore communication, I must unplug the usb in addition.

Quesions:
  1) when I had the usb stetched tight to allow the computer to reach the monitor and Control panel I would get an intermediate loss of com.  "where it will stop communicating until I restart mach4.  I dont remember if I had to unplug the 422
2) still flashing once per second.  Red light is solid
3)USB voltage is 4.94, power terminal is 4.4v
4)I have 2 e-stops.  one on the machine wired to terminal 10, the other on the control box wired to the Estop adjacent ABC terminals.  both wired normaly open.  They were originally Normaly closed when I started this, but I have since changed them.  So now I am testing in the normally open which allows me to communicate unit I hook up the limit switches.  Also if I run it for a duration with the Limits overidden in this state it will work for a short while then stop. with the Red light
5)see above
6) no the 3ft cable seems to work fine
7) Nothing is connected to the Ribbon connector, JP2 is on A and JP1 is off.

7

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: USB Cable Length - PMDX 422

« on: October 27, 2015, 01:18:23 PM »

3' cable
Started Debug, Reference all home, Jogged around, referenced all home, All worked fine. I did not attach the file since it worked fine.

8' cable
restarted, Error Port Autoscan did not find PMDX-Smartbob-usb device
Removed all input and outputs from card and restarted Mach.  Would not reconnect, so removed usb an reinserted.  Once I did this, it was able to connect.  Started reconnecting devices and trying to isolate the problem. Restarted everytime I reconnected a cable to include unplugging the usb.

I am able to communicate with all outputs connected, xyz, but no inputs in a low state.
USB power meters at 4.94v with the longer cable 5v with the shorter, board output voltage is at 4.44, with EStop voltage at 4.52v open.  I was able to do a limit overide and jog around for a small bit, then it no longer took my inputs.

FYI i am utilizing optical inputs for the x,y, and z inputs.  Standard Estop buttons.  If noting is connected and the Estop is activated, shorted, then I cannot connect, or at least most of the time I cannot.  It appears that any draw down on the inputs causes the board to lose communications.

Since I was unable to communicate do you still want me to run the debug

8

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / USB Cable Length - PMDX 422

« on: October 27, 2015, 10:45:34 AM »

I have a new 422 that I am utilizing via the USB cable.   It is using the USB for power and it appears that there is an issue with the USB Cable length.  When I run it utilizing a 3' usb cable it seems to work fine once I get the cable orientated.  I purchased an 8ft cord to relocate my PC and it will not communicate at all with the 422.  Is this a known problem,  It makes sense that this would be the case.  If it is, will powering the 422 via a 5v external source fix this?

I am not utilizing the 422 as a power source for any sensors or 5v devices.

Windows 7 ultimate
PMDX 0.31.147
Bootloader 1.7.63
Firmware 0.40.130

Mach4 Hobby - 4.2.0.2703