Messages

1

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Relay LED on, no continuity

« on: December 19, 2016, 05:35:35 AM »

Bob, It's working! As you suggested, un-checked the "Use Spindle Motor Output", disabled "output #1" and configured "output #2" as active high. Have been able to switch both K1 and K2 successfully. Strangely I have not been able to switch the arduino relay board though that was not the goal. The I am now able to continue setting up the plasma cutter.
 Bob and Steve I can not thank you enough for your help, particularly as my issue turned out to be more Mach3 related than PMDX.
Regards, Ashley.

2

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Relay LED on, no continuity

« on: December 18, 2016, 03:49:44 AM »

Hi Steve, Back from Port Headland. Thanks again for your reply. Have attached the files a well as a couple of machine pics.
Regards, Ashley.

3

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Relay LED on, no continuity

« on: December 14, 2016, 09:04:50 AM »

Steve, Screwed down all terminals tested. None had wires in the terminals. No continuity on K1. (The relay K2 had a severe tapping to determine 'stuckness' and now emits an alarming sound when it is energised.) Do not intend using it any more.
 Bob, Yes. Same behaviour on the Arduino board. On PMDX/machine power up get a 'power' led on the external board. Then get 'active' led when Mach3 sends the M3.
 I'm using the pmdx_3Axis_pp_02 based Mach3 xml file. Tool selection 'plasma' from SheetCam. Could it be possible that my SheetCam/Mach3 configuration be sending problem M3 commands regarding the torch/spindle tool. Something like a 'spindle on' with no 'direction' interpreted by PMDX as a continuous high/low combination that may drive the relay led though not the relay coil? Just a thought.
 Have started the wiring diagram though have not got past the control/distribution box yet.
 Regards, Ashley.

4

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Relay LED on, no continuity

« on: December 13, 2016, 06:01:03 PM »

Steve, Thankyou for your quick response.
 I am driving the PMDX board from a parallel cable. No smooth stepper. I have purchased a PMDX-107 spindle controller from you though have not installed it at this stage. Am getting 245VAC at the mains terminals on the board and 11.7VDC across PC-gnd and +VRaw on J7.
 Re the proxys: My machine is a MechMate. The was a long discussion on the MechMate forum about how to hook up EStop, pause, resume and proxys. Near the end of the discussion they decided to run AC power to the EStops. I didn't like the sound of this so my implementation of the switches hookup uses circuits controlled by switches on the machine directly to inputs on the PMDX-126.
 The proxy set up is unusual though as roughly described by GeraldD. Each proxy drives it's own relay which, when activated, breaks the input circuit to the 126. This sub-system is powered by an external 12VDC supply. The unusual thing about this setup is that the proxy senses the guide rail and 'activates' when it passes over a hole in the rail. The idea is to protect the machine in a 'de-rail' state as well as serving as home/limits.
 I knew I needed to document the wiring, so have started to do this. I will also try disconnecting the proxy sub-system and check the 126's relay in this state.
 I have to go back to work as a long distance truck driver tomorrow so it may take a week to get all the above done.
 Any other suggestions in the meantime?
 Will get back to you when I have more info.

5

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Relay LED on, no continuity

« on: December 12, 2016, 07:45:53 AM »

Further, have been running spindle 'manually' through VFD. Have auto zero 'Z' working.

6

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Relay LED on, no continuity

« on: December 12, 2016, 07:39:38 AM »

G'day, Am having trouble getting relays to switch. Bob is PMDX-126. Mach3. Gecko 203V. Oriental steppers. WinXP through LPT1. SheetCAM from TurboCAD Deluxe.
 Have been running this MechMate 8x4 for a few months mostly making plywood boxes with finger joints. Have processed more than 60 sheets of ply with a large China water cooled router spindle turning straight, 2 fluted 4mm bits. Quality of cuts has gradually improved whilst I tuned feeds, speeds, stopping on certain angles etc.
 Am setting up small plasma power source to experiment. My problem is that I can not get the plasma torch to fire. Have worked my way back to the relays on the PMDX-126. When the M3 command is received by Mach3 the PMDX relay led lights though no continuity or 'click'. Same behaviour on K1 and K2. Attempted a work around  and purchased an arduino compatible relay board. Ran it up on J6 pin 14 after removing jumpers from JP1 and JP2. Same behaviour. LED lights though no 'click' or continuity.
 The only slightly 'weird' thing about my machine is that the homing/limits are proxys, run hot, triggering relays, powered by an external 12v supply.
 Any help greatly appreciated.