Can't get spindle to change direction.

[timboberonion]

ESS, PMDX-126, PMDX-107, MachIII, Lenze VFD. I set it up per AN002. It runs forward only with both M3 and M4. The direction LED on the 107 doesn't come on with either command. I've verified that the VFD will reverse. Using port 1, pin 16 for run, port 1, pin 14 for direction. Seems that it is probably a software thing, ie incorrect setup in Mach. I've attached my xml, and everything works except for reversing the spindle. Eventually, it will be closed loop, using a sensor on the spindle.

Hopefully I've done something stupidly simple again!

[Steve Stallings]

The problem is that you have the signal Output2 enabled in Mach3 and
assigned to the same pin (Port1,Pin14) as the spindle direction signal.

Go the Output Signals setup page and disable Output2.

[timboberonion]

Just changed that and it made no difference. Still only one direction.

[Bob at PMDX]

Look at the pin 14 LED on the PMDX-126 at screw terminal connector J6.  You should see the LED turn on for one spindle direction and turn off for the other direction.

[timboberonion]

That LED never lights up, that's why I think it is a configuration thing in Mach. Also, I'm running it in jumbo mode, if that makes a difference. I'll be using jumbo mode to run the mill head steppers in sync

Everything else works great.

Tim

[Steve Stallings]

Jumbo mode takes over Port 1, Pin 14 as the direction signal for the 5th axis.  It
does this in order to cram all the needed signals into a single parallel port. Pin 1
is also taken as the step signal for the 5th axis.

If you are trying to use two PMDX-133 motherboards with Jumbo mode, this presents
a dilemma. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. There are not enough signals
to allow both spindle direction control and be able to drive a 5th axis. Spindle on/off
control is compatible with Jumbo mode and two PMDX-133 boards. To do this you
should set the PMDX-107 to operate in Run/Direction mode and not connect the
spindle direction signal to the VFD. This will allow the PMDX-107 to turn the VFD
on for either an M3 or M4 command in response to the PWM signal without needing
a direction signal.

Your situation is not as bad as the above makes it sound. Since you have an ESS
you should connect the second port of the ESS to the second port of the PMDX-126.
Turn off Jumbo mode and the step signal for the 5th axis will come from Port 2, Pin 1.
The direction signal for the 5th axis will come from Port 2, Pin 14.

If you need the 6th axis to act as a slave while using an ESS and the second port
you should assign step to Port 2, Pin 16 and direction to Port 2, Pin 17. The slave
function must now be configured in the Mach software because there is no hardware
cloning in this mode.

Using the above approach you will have consumed the signals on J5 of the PMDX-126.
Again, you cannot have your cake and eat it too.

[timboberonion]

Understood. Eat cake, or have cake, there is no both. Just kidding!  This won't be a problem, I'll just have to rethink the implementation of what I need to do.

Thanks for your help! It's a great learning experience doing this build.