Messages

1

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / USB Cable Pinouts for J11 on the PMDX-422?

« on: July 20, 2015, 06:14:08 PM »

Howdy!
 
I'm in the process of integrating my PMDX gear into my CNC machine, and found that it will be much easier for me to cable the USB connection via J11 verses using the USB plug-jack.
 
I couldn't find the pinout in the 422 start-up guide, does anyone know what USB pinout is for J11?

Thanks!

Kris

2

Box level controller products / Re: Sherline Compatibility

« on: July 03, 2015, 01:21:10 PM »

I would recommend trying the original motors with them wired in "half-coil" mode
and connected to a bi-polar driver such as the PMDX-340. You may find the X and
Y motors acceptable.

If you want to upgrade, the for the X and Y axis, I would consider these:

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-23/nema23-185ozin-3a-stepper-motor-%C2%BC%E2%80%9D-dual-shaft-kl23h256-21-8b-duplicate

For the Z axis, I would consider this one:

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/nema-23/nema-23-bipolar-stepper-motor-quarter-inch-dual-shaft-with-flat-282-oz-in

They are more powerful than the originals, but not enough so that they overwhelm the machine.

Thank you for the advice on this!  I really like Automation Technologies, alot of good CNC stuff and nice prices. :)   
 
I made sure the Steppers that I got were inside the 3 Amp limit on my PMDX-340.

Cheers!

Kris
 

3

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX-422 to Arduino Communication?

« on: July 03, 2015, 01:17:44 PM »

Yes, you could indeed use the capabilities of the Arduino to provide more/different kinds of inputs/outputs to Mach4.

Just to clarify, the MODBUS would communicate between Mach4 and the Arduino.  The PMDX-422 would have no knowledge of that communication unless or until the MODBUS data caused some signal in Mach4 to change (i.e. a limit switch).  Then Mach4 would tell our plug-in, which would in turn tell the PMDX-422.
 
WARNING: Home switches MUST be connected directly to the SmartBOB, or to the SmartBOB by way of the 26-pin ribbon header (or DB25 on the PMDX-411) through a PMDX-340 or breakout board (PMDX-126, etc.).  The current firmware/plug-in (as of today, 24 Jun 2015) do not require the EStop or limit switches to go through the SmartBOB.  However, future versions *may* require this.
** edited by Bob to fix quoting delimiters **

Bob,
 
Thank you Very Much for the reply!  I understand more now and have taken your advice to heart - I have the 6 limit switches and proximity switch I got from PMDX connected to the PMDX-340 inputs (X+/X- and Y+/Y- limit switches) and the PMDX-422 (Z+/Z- and Proximity limit switches) - hopefully this will give me a robust capability to allow PMDX to know its limits directly. :) 
 
I'm going to use the Arduino for other things, I want to keep the core CNC function on the PMDX platform - as I learn more I am increasingly impressed with what I can do with PMDX and Mach4!
 
Cheers and thanks,

Kris

4

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX-422 to Arduino Communication?

« on: June 22, 2015, 07:25:46 AM »

Actually I should have not even posted this question, as if I had RTFM I could have asked a more intelligent question...
 
Your second suggestion is even better than I had hoped; setting-up the Arduino as a MODBUS to send simple messages back and forth.
 
For example; I would use the abundant analog and digital inputs on an Arduino Mega to greatly augment the sensory input possibilities available to the PMDX-422. I would connect the limit and proximity sensors via the Arduino, and have the Arduino pass-on the data to the PMDX-422 via serial communication.
 
Earlier today I had thought of using 3 of the Inputs (the extra 3 on the PMDX-422) to implement a simpler form of communications by treating the 3 inputs as one code register - giving me 9 possible "signals" or digital values that the Arduino could set using the 3 inputs on the PMDX-422. This would give me the ability to directly sense each end of each axis with limit switches as well as using proximity or other sensor types as well. However if I can create a Serial link between them, then the possibilities get allot broader. :)
 
Thanks!

5

Box level controller products / PMDX = Quality

« on: June 21, 2015, 11:11:05 AM »

Howdy,
 
This is a shout-out for PMDX by a new, very happy customer. I am still new to CNC but experienced in 3D-Printing, Micro-controllers like Arduino and Robotics, so I've seen my share of motor controllers - I've seen a few badly-packaged controllers and even one that works on an Arduino.  Finally I have found a company that makes a truly-quality product for my custom-CNC setup in PMDX!

I just received my package with PMDX-340, 5 limit switches, NPN proximity switch as well as PMDX-104 output and PMDX-105 input boards - and right out of the box I could tell that these were quality-made and engineered components. From the packaging to the electronics used inside to the ease of first-time setup for testing, I'm pleasantly impressed already. I can tell that I'm going to have alot of fun finishing this machine, it only took me about 20 minutes to get my Nema-23's connected-to the PMDX-340, and the 340 connected to a PMDX-422. From there I was able to load-up Mach4 and test-jog all 4 of the Axis without a hitch.

I'm a big fan of documentation as I've done that alot for my job, and at first I was worried as the manuals for the PMDX products are not huge - so I printed them out and bound-them in binders before the products arrived. When I read through them to get my system up and running after the hardware arrived, I found the manuals intuitive and not over-heavy - everything but the PMDX-407 worked in Mach4 without any special configuration, and I was able to set my motor Amps to 2.8 via the dip-switches on the PMDX-340 in about 5 minutes. :)
 
I'll post more questions and feedback as the build proceeds. I just wanted to share my thoughts about how nice the PMDX-340 is from a customer (and newbie) viewpoint - it has taken the fear of uncertainty out of me about finishing a custom CNC-machine.

Thanks!

Kris

6

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-422 to Arduino Communication?

« on: June 20, 2015, 03:00:03 PM »

Howdy,
 
I have my PMDX-422 with licensed Mach4 up an running, everything looks and works great! 

Thank you for sending the PMDX-340 and 104/105 out quickly, its on the truck for delivery - can't wait. :)

As a maker/DIY fan, I've worked allot with Arduino's in the past and am curious if there is a preferred way for me to interface them at a simple level?

Mostly I would like to have the Arduino, "Listen-only" to the PMDX-422 so that the Arduino can take queue's from the 422 and do things in support of the what the 422 is doing. This isn't a requirement for me to get up and running as I purchased your 104 output and 105 input boards to keep everything inside PMDX/Mach4 scripting control.  It's more a curiosity as I prepare to assemble an All-PMDX solution. :)

Thanks!

Kris

7

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: Multiple PMDX-USB-Bobs on one PC?

« on: June 19, 2015, 03:50:23 PM »

No worries, it was just a crazy idea. ;)

Happy Friday!

Kris

8

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Multiple PMDX-USB-Bobs on one PC?

« on: June 19, 2015, 12:20:32 PM »

Howdy!

Hopefully a quick question;  Can I control more than 1 PMDX-422/410 from the same PC when using Mach4?
 
I ask because I want to build-in some additional features to my CNC rig, and thought it would be cool if I could communicate with more than one USB-Bob in Mach4?  If not thats cool, I'm trying to find a creative way to control cutting-oil pumps and grippers. I can add an Arduino rig to it for this stuff, but it would be so much neater if I could control 2 motor controllers from one PC. :)

Thanks!

Kris

9

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / Re: PMDX-422 and PMDX-340

« on: June 18, 2015, 08:05:28 PM »

Bob,
 
Excellent news - Thank you for the reply!

I got the PMDX-407 today and it mounts on the 422 nicely, this news makes my day. :)

I have printed out all of the PMDX and Mach4 documentation, time to become a monk and learn. ;)

Have a great weekend!!

Kris

10

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-422 and PMDX-340

« on: June 18, 2015, 03:18:47 PM »

Howdy!
 
I am newish to the CNC world, please forgive my ignorance in advance. ;)
 
I started a few years ago when I purchased a Shapoko on he recommendation of a friend..  The hardware was fine, but it had no viable controller that worked in the way I hoped - it never got fully up and running. I took a break to research myself and learn about the different options out there, and being a DIY oriented fellow and a fierce patriot, I settled on PMDX and Mach4. :) I have so much to learn, it will be a wonderful challenge!
 
I purchased a PMDX-422 and PMDX-407 so that I could use USB from my PC and I loved the features of the 422/407 combination. I had intended on going with Gecko motor drivers, but ended-up purchasing your PMDX-340 instead - I wanted to keep my purchases focused on your company. I know now that the PMDX-410 would have been more than sufficient to drive the PMDX-340, the 340 by itself didn't have enough inputs for my liking and I want to use your Proximity sensor as well as 5 limit switches to govern the end-points on each axis.
 
Given the above, will I be able to use the 422 (with the 407 stacked on top like you have on the product page for the 407) to drive the PMDX-340 via the 422's parallel cable and still be able to use some of the input/outputs on the 422?  Or will I instead need to purchase a PMDX-410 to drive the PMDX-340 instead?
 
Any input is most appreciated!

Kris