Topics

1

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-424 driving Gecko G214

« on: December 12, 2016, 02:55:09 PM »

Does anyone have any experience driving the new Gecko G214 Stepper Motor Drivers with the PMDX-424 motion controller?

I currently have Gecko G203V's, which have a fixed native 10u-step resolution.  I can't get the minimum positioning resolution I need and Hardware reconfiguration isn't an option.
I'm considering the newer Gecko G214's because they have selectable resolution, as well as many other new features.

Comments?

2

Cables, connectors, switches, contactors, sensors and other items / Proximity Sensor Recommendations

« on: July 16, 2016, 12:07:03 PM »

I'm building a 3-axis CNC router with PMDX-424 and tandem X axis motors.  I had a single motor, prior to the tandem x-xis upgrade.  In anticipation of gantry squaring in the PMDX-424 plug-in, I've wired my X-axis motors to "Motor 3a & 3b".  I assume the gantry squaring process would work better with something passing across the face of a sensor vs. approaching it.  I originally used Micro-switches that are positioned poorly for this.

I'm considering re-doing the x-axis with 4 proximity sensors - probably the PMDX-PROX-01.  To make this work, I'd need to attach a plate to each side of the gantry.  The plate will be positioned to pass in front of the face of each sensor - at or near the end of X-axis travel.

I'm hoping that the gantry squaring software will use an initial setup process where offset parameters, for each end of the gantry, can be measured an input as constants.  It would be difficult and tedious to adjust the sensor/plates so that they simultaneously trip - only when the gantry is square.

Will the use of proximity sensors, such as the PMDX-PROX-01, provide the repeatability necessary to square the gantry?

I'm also hoping you can comment on the availability of Gantry Squaring.

Thanks.

3

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / PMDX-179 Reset Button

« on: May 18, 2016, 06:40:04 PM »

How would the Reset Button on a PMDX-179 Remote Status Board be used with the PMDX-424 SmartBOB?

4

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-424 Source for Gecko 203V Disable Voltage

« on: April 23, 2016, 12:38:03 PM »

Gecko 203V's have a disable terminal.  Their manual says that you can force winding currents to ZERO by connecting this terminal to the Step/Direction controller's +5V.

I'd like to tie all 4 of the 203V's disable terminals to a single switch, then to 5V, somewhere on the PMDX-424.

(1) can I tie all 4 of the 203V's disable terminals together without causing problems?
(2) what's the best place, on the PMDX-424, to get the 5V from?

thanks
Dave

5

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-424 Tandem Motor Configuration

« on: April 10, 2016, 07:50:48 PM »

Will the PMDX-424, wired to a PMDX-134 Motherboard with a ribbon cable, support a Tandem Motor configuration?

I have the PMDX-134, populated with (4) Gecko G203V's.  I want this to drive a 3-axis router with tandem x-axis (gantry) motors.  I'm anticipating the software's ability to do axis-squaring.

Thanks

6

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-422 - External +5V Power Supply

« on: March 31, 2016, 01:17:52 PM »

Need some advice on how to properly wire an External 5V DC Power Supply to the J9 GND and +5V terminals.

My power 5V DC power supply has -V and +V terminals, as well as a GND terminal.  I've wired all my Power supply GND terminals to a chassis ground.

It's pretty obvious that the +V PS terminal should be wired to J9 +5V.

Should the -V PS terminal be wired to J9 GND ?

(These are Chinese switching power supplies and they don't come with any instructions)

7

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-422 - Signal names for J11 Pins

« on: January 14, 2016, 06:17:16 PM »

It's possible to buy "USB-A to header" cables if you intend to put a NUC type computer in your electronics package with the PMDX-422 and other components.  The PMX-422 header pins don't have any labeling.  Looking at the bottom of the board, I can tell which pin is the shield ground but I'm just guessing about the remaining pins.  Please confirm or correct this:

When viewing the board with the USB connector on the RIGHT, signal names of the pins, from TOP to BOTTOM, are:

Shield Ground
Gnd (black)
USB+ (green)
USB- (white)
+5V (red)

Would be nice to have this added to the Quick Start Guide

Thanks

8

General Discussion / Disabling an optional 4th Axis on a CNC Router

« on: January 04, 2016, 12:05:28 AM »

(Hoping this doesn't show my ignorance too much.)

I'm building a 3-axis CNC router.  The router will have a a 4th 'A' axis rotary device that will be used on occasion.  My configuration uses the PMDX-422 BOB, Driving Gekko G203V Stepper drivers through the PMDX-134 board.  From the PMDX-134 board I'll route the stepper motor wires to 4 panel mounted connectors - one for each of the 4 stepper motors.

When I'm not using the 'A' axis is it possible to just unplug it without causing harm to the electronics?

9

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / USB Pendant for Mach 4

« on: May 12, 2015, 12:18:17 PM »

Based on a reference note you had on your web site, regarding USB Pendants - I contacted VistaCNC.

VistaCNC's response:
"Our USB pendants  do not support Mach4.
We don't have Mach4 plugins yet. We are currently working on those plugins..."

I'm doing this "on paper" as I continue to acquire parts and try to understand it: 
I have an Intel NUC PC - usb connected to a - PMDX-410, PMDX-407, and PMDX-134, with (4) Gecko G203V's
I'm planning on running Mach 4 on the NUC PC.
Assuming plug-ins existed, would you just plug the pendant into an available USB port on the NUC PC. 

Does anyone have a USB pendant that will work with this hookup?? (or is that really a Mach 4 question)

10

SmartBOB controllers and dedicated accessories / PMDX-410 Pin Assignment Descriptions

« on: May 11, 2015, 02:46:39 PM »

First, I apologize if most of this is below your level of understanding.  Normally, I'd be able to get myself up to speed with more information - if I could find it.

Last week I got a PMDX-4101 (board says Rev B1)  QuickStart Paperwork says Rev0_2

Looking at the board, the large Green 6 position connector Is, I believe, J10.  pin positions are labeled
gnd, E-stop, "A", "B", "C", and +5S

I'm having trouble working this information back to the Quick Start Guide.  There's no mention of J10 in the guide and there's no description information for the pin outs.