Messages

1

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Using a masso optical encoder with 422

« on: September 24, 2024, 09:07:45 AM »

The A, B, C inputs on a SmartBOB are designed for "TTL" signals in the 0 to 5 volt range. There is protection provided so a 10 volt signal from the Masso encoder will not harm the input, but I am not sure the input will respond.

In order for the A, B, C, input to respond the signal must be capable of producing a valid logic low signal of less than 1.5 volts and the ground reference of the encoder power supply must be connected to the GND terminal of the encoder connector of the SmartBOB. Be careful that there is no conflict in the ground systems.

You can use the Real-Time Input/Output Status panel provided in the SmartBOB plugin configuration tab in Mach4 to verify that the SmartBOB is able to read these signals.

2

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: What determines the possible values that can be asigned to input and outpuits?

« on: September 24, 2024, 08:57:05 AM »

First thing to understand is that the pins on the PMDX-416 are predefined as either Input or Output type. You must assign output signals to an Output pin type.

The set of Output pins is: 1, 14, 16, 17 (general purpose), and Relay (dedicated). There is also an internal dedicated signal for PWM speed control via a PMDX-407 spindle control module that mounts on top of the PMDX-416. It is configured in the SmartBOB plugin control panel Spindle Config tab, not the Output Signals tab in Mach4.

The set of Input pins is: 11, 12, 13, 15 (general purpose isolated), A, B, C (non-isolated, typically used for encoder inputs), and dedicated isolated inputs for E-Stop and Fault.

You cannot use pin 15 as an Output because it is an Input type pin.

Once any Output pin has been assigned, it will no longer be in the drop down list because only one signal can be allowed to drive a pin due to electrical conflicts resulting from multiple sources fighting to control the pin. If you are trying to use an Output pin and it does not show up in the drop down list, go the the Configure > Control > Output Signals tab and scroll down through the chart to be sure that there is not already a signal trying to use that pin.

Input pins CAN be assigned to multiple signals because each signal can observe the same pin without causing an electrical conflict. This is useful when you want to wire multiple limit or home switches to one signal. If you do this you must not move multiple axes at the same time while homing. You can also define the same input to be observed as a Home signal and as a Limit signal for that same axis.

Also, the list of signals in Mach4 can be confusing because some signals will have both an Input and and Output style functions. For example "Motor 1 Home" is an input signal that Mach4 observes while homing that motor. Depending on your axis assignments that motor could be the X axis. There is also an Output called "X Home" which Mach4 uses to tell an external indicator the status of homing. That Output signal is not required and not often used. I suspect you are confusing the "X Home" output with the signal that you need for Mach4 to monitor your home switch.

3

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX 126 RevB + ESS convert to linux CNC

« on: January 09, 2024, 10:52:06 AM »

The DB-25 port of the 7192TM is electrically and pinout compatible with the PMDX-126.

MESA provides sample configurations such as the Gecko G540 which may prove useful as a starting point for configuring your system.

4

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX-126 + ESS + MACH4 + Encoder inputs

« on: January 09, 2024, 10:49:39 AM »

The PMDX-126 does not need to know the signals are for an encoder, it just has to faithfully pass them on to the ESS which must be configured to utilize the quadrature signals as encoders. Refer to ESS plug-in and documentation for details.

5

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX-424, constant PC connection required?

« on: October 29, 2023, 10:02:06 PM »

The PC needs to remain connected to the board during the process of running the G-code because it is Mach4 software that is feeding the motion commands in small bits to the PMDX-424.

The PC does not need to be, and probably should not be, connected to the Internet while running Mach4.

6

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Outputs Enabled Light

« on: April 07, 2023, 06:37:39 PM »

After phone discussions with Tony, we have concluded that there is indeed something wrong with his care. He is returning it for warranty repair.

Steve Stallings
PMDX

7

General Discussion / Re: 424 relay

« on: February 15, 2023, 08:43:58 PM »

Nothing wrong with using m3/m5 to control torch firing.

It sounds like something is corrupted in your configuration.

Please switch to using direct email support using the email address on our Contact and About Us web page.

Create a "Packaged Profile" and send that to us as an email attachment and we will go from there if the profile looks OK.

8

General Discussion / Re: 424 relay

« on: February 15, 2023, 03:10:49 PM »

Did you mean after the first m5? A g5 is not a valid G-code command?

9

General Discussion / Re: 424 relay

« on: February 15, 2023, 07:50:22 AM »

Does the G-code program simply continue running without turning the spindle off, or does the program actually hang?

Is the m5 command the last line of code in the program?

10

General Discussion / Re: Quick Fusing a 424

« on: January 26, 2023, 05:12:17 PM »

Fuses are for protecting circuits from overload due to current. The PMDX-424 has an internal self resetting "polyfuse" to interrupt the current that it draws from the 120 VAC mains if there is a fault within the PMDX-424 or if something overloads one of its outputs.

Having a fuse in the 120 VAC power line feeding the PMDX-424 is useful if you are concerned about short circuits in your wiring harness.

Protection from power surges would require a "surge arrester" which works by clamping excess voltage, not a fuse. It is common to find 120 VAC outlet strips with built in surge arresters. Such a power strip may be useful to protect the PMDX-424, and also the computer and monitor associated with the system.

Stand alone surge arresters are available, but they typically cost more than an outlet strip with an internal surge arrester.

Here is one example of a stand alone surge arrester:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175581200914

11

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: 107 Pin Options

« on: January 12, 2023, 02:01:51 PM »

If you do not need to run your spindle in reverse you can set the PMDX-107 to Run/Dir mode (Config switch 3) and do not connect the Dir output of the PMDX-107 to the VFD. This will allow you to use pin 14 for other purposes without disturbing the VFD.

12

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX 126 J11 GND TO MACHINE

« on: November 16, 2022, 10:24:09 AM »

The "GND" terminal on J11 is isolated from the computer interface by the PMDX-126, so the PMDX-126 and computer are protected. This signal is intended to be safe to use with the safety ground and/or chassis of a CNC machine.

Other parts of your machine wiring that also connect to the "GND" terminal of J11, J12, and J13 of the PMDX-126 will all be connected to the same circuit. Normally the items connected to these "GND" terminals are designed to also be safe to connect to the safety ground and or chassis of the machine, but I wanted to mention that for completeness of this response.

If you are using a simple isolated probe plate connected to the "E" input on the PMDX-126, your cutter/probe is expected to complete the circuit back to the "GND" terminal. While many machines will work by using the chassis to complete the circuit, I recommend using an "alligator" clip on the cutter/probe with a wired connection back to one of the "GND" terminals for more reliable operation.

13

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Trouble with using the pmdx-107 to control spindle with mach 3

« on: October 19, 2022, 12:32:02 PM »

Most VFDs come from the factory set up to expect commands from the front panel and require changes to parameters to configure them to look at signals on the interface screw terminals.

The Danfoss VFDs are quite complex and the documentation is hard to understand. I suggest that you look at this Danfoss video on YouTube to understand their parameter settings. The significant stuff related to external signals begins as time 4:30 in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF333rDvmgI

14

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Trouble with using the pmdx-107 to control spindle with mach 3

« on: October 18, 2022, 09:28:13 AM »

The settings that you listed are not unreasonable, depending on how your machine is wired.

The first stage of getting the PMDX-107 to work is to use the test button to verify that your VFD wiring and parameters are correct. The test button works regardless of other Mach settings, it will even work while Mach is not running so long as the PMDX-126 has power. Once you get the spindle to respond to the test button you can proceed to configure Mach.

The description of how to use the test button is in section 2.6 starting on page 9 of the manual here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Doc/PMDX-107_Manual_12.pdf

15

General Discussion / Re: emco compact 5

« on: October 08, 2022, 09:06:45 AM »

The servo motor driver interface will determine what sort of control signals are needed.

The tool changer is a rachet mechanism run by a small motor. You will need to write a macro to sequence operations.

G76 threading operations rely on spindle position feedback to synchronize Z axis movement to the spindle, not the other way around. Threading does not utilize spindle speed control to do this.

I suggest you join this forum for lots of useful information:

https://groups.io/g/Emco-CNC-Users/topics