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Messages - Steve Stallings

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496
Hi Todd,

The style of relay that you show draws too much coil current to run directly
from the logic level outputs of the PMDX-12, even if it were a 5 volt version,
and I regret to tell you that the SSR-25 that Bob mentioned will not work for
DC loads.

Here is an example of a relay that should work:

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/HE751A0510/HE124-ND/475785

This relay provides an internal diode, but you must wire up the connections
to both the coil and the diode. Connect one end of the coil and the Cathode
end of the diode to the output from the PMDX-126. Connect the other end
of the coil and the Anode of the diode to the PCgnd from the PMDX-126.

This relay has a coil current of only 10 milliAmps which makes it possible
to drive it from the logic level output. It can switch up to 500 milliAmps.
My best guess is that your laser diode needs 100 to 200 milliAmps to
operate.

Steve

497
I will assume that you want the sensor to trigger when it approaches metal. This would
be a Normally Open style of sensor. If necessary you can combine the outputs of several
Normally Open sensors together in this mode.

If you use an NPN sensor, then the PMDX-126 can power your sensors.

Model number AE1-AN-1A from Automation Direct looks like a good fit your your needs.

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Search/Search?searchquery=AE1-AN-1A%20&cmd=Search&fctype=adc.falcon.search.SearchFormCtrl&TxnNumber=-1

This sensor is 8mm diameter, has an attached cable, NPN with Normally Open output and has
a sensing range of 1.5 mm maximum. They also offer models with longer range, but with range
comes the possibility of less accuracy.

Regards,
Steve Stallings
PMDX

498
Hello Noob,

The SI8-N1 sensor requires an external amplifier for proper operation.
Quoted from their web site:

   SENSOR VERSION N IN ACCORDANCE WITH
   NAMUR STANDARDS - DIN 19234 (2 wire)
   These are two-wire non amplified D.C. sensors
   which contain only the oscillator and are adapted
   to control an electronic amplified thereshold
   circuit.

The input circuits on PMDX boards are not designed
to work with this style of sensor and we do not offer
a board with the kind of signal conditioning required.

We recommend using 3 wire sensors.

Regards,
Steve Stallings
PMDX

499
Hello Noob,

The SI8-N1 sensor requires an external amplifier for proper operation.
Quoted from their web site:

   SENSOR VERSION N IN ACCORDANCE WITH
   NAMUR STANDARDS - DIN 19234 (2 wire)
   These are two-wire non amplified D.C. sensors
   which contain only the oscillator and are adapted
   to control an electronic amplified thereshold
   circuit.

The input circuits on PMDX boards are not designed
to work with this style of sensor and we do not offer
a board with the kind of signal conditioning required.

We recommend using 3 wire sensors.

Regards,
Steve Stallings
PMDX

500
Build 2192 of Mach4Hobby can be downloaded here:

http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2192.exe

.... or here:

http://www.pmdx.com/Downloads_Mach4/Mach4_Hobby_Releases/Mach4Hobby%20Installer-2192.exe

The updated SmartBOB plugin needed to run build 2192 can be downloaded here:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-SmartBOB-USB-Plug-In

Mach4Hobby is evolving rapidly, so be sure to check that your plugin is compatible with the version of Mach4Hobby that you are running.

Steve Stallings

501
Jeff Birt over at Soigeneris has done a good job of explaining EtherNet SmoothStepper installation.

http://www.soigeneris.com/Document/Warp9/Installing_and_Configuring_the_Ethernet_SmoothStepper.pdf

He has other useful documents also.

http://www.soigeneris.com/documentation-content.aspx

Steve Stallings

502
The Quick Start Guide for the PMDX-407 has now been updated to version 0.2 to
include the instructions about setting JP1 on the PMDX-422 or PMDX-410 onto
which the PMDX-407 is installed.

503
Box level controller products / Re: Sherline Compatibility
« on: January 15, 2015, 09:42:41 PM »
To get automatic notifications of new products and software upgrades, go to
the Announcements category:

http://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-Forums/index.php?board=2.0

... then click on the NOTIFY button at the top right of the message listings.


504
When you click on E-Stop on the Mach3 screen, the PMDX-126 will only know
about it if you have the charge pump function enabled. If you DO have the
charge pump function enabled and Mach3 is configured to NOT provide the
signal for the charge pump when it is in reset, then the PMDX-126 will turn
off all of its outputs including the relays and PMDX-107 spindle controller
if present. This is the normal configuration that we recommend.

When E-Stop is presented directly to the terminals on the PMDX-126, it
will always turn off all of its outputs in response to the E-Stop regardless
of what Mach3 is doing.

We recommend that you fuse the AC mains side of the power supply for
the stepper motors. This avoids issues with back EMF from the motors
not having anywhere to go. If you do choose to fuse the DC input to the
PMDX-134, you will need to choose a fuse that can handle the correct
current for your motors. This is typically 2/3 of the sum of all the motor
currents. If all 4 of the Gecko drivers are running at a full 7 amperes,
then a 20 ampere fuse would be recommended. The internal fuse in each
G203V is 5 amperes.

505
The best way to stop motion and resume is to use the Feed Hold function of Mach3.

Machine hold is more of a safety interlock that allows the machine to power up, but
be prevented from moving but also not issue an E-Stop. This is intended for
machines that have a separate "Enable" button that must be pressed after power
is on, but before the control is allowed to move. Mach3 does not fully support this
concept.

In order to free wheel your motors, you should use the Motor Disable input on the
PMDX-134 as shown in Figure 5 on page 8 of the PMDX-134 manual. Even then you
may not find the effort to move the machine by hand is what you expect. Stepper
motors have residual holding torque even when disabled.

Consider using Mach3 to jog the machine and then reset the offsets or origin as
needed.


506
Announcements / PMDX-407 and PMDX-410 for Mach4 now available
« on: January 06, 2015, 10:56:57 PM »

PMDX is now shipping two new boards in our line of
SmartBOB-USB products for Mach4 users.

The PMDX-410 SmartBOB-USB is a motion control engine
for use with existing breakout boards or with driver
boxes such as the PMDX-340 or the GeckoDrive G540. It
is derived from the PMDX-422 but omits the relay and
the terminal strips for the pins that are part of the
standard parallel port. These signals are served by
the 26 pin ribbon header which is used to connect the
parallel port signals to the mating ribbon header or
DB-25 connector on the companion device.

The extra signals available from a SmartBOB-USB, above
and beyond those in a standard parallel port, are still
made available on a pluggable terminal strip.

The PMDX-410 is priced at $129 each and can be bundled
with the Mach4Hobby software for a $10 discount.

The PMDX-407 is a basic spindle speed control interface
that mounts on top of a PMDX-410 or PMDX-422 and provides
an analog speed control voltage for VFDs or other spindle
drives. There is also a set of RUN contacts to turn the
spindle on and off. Optical isolation is provided between
both output circuits and the control circuits that come
from the SmartBOB.

The RUN contacts can directly switch 120 VAC to control
small contactors such as the PMDX-ContactorMD20-120. Using
a contactor to control the AC mains input to a DC spindle
driver provides failsafe operation of those DC spindle drives
that do not have an electronic input for real on/off control.
This includes the KBIC motor controller from Penta used on
the Sherline machines and also those found on most imported
mills and lathes with DC spindle motors.

Direction control of VFDs is optionally available by using
the relay on the PMDX-422.

The PMDX-407 is priced at $38 each.

507
General Discussion / Re: CNC Workshop 2015
« on: January 05, 2015, 09:49:53 PM »
PMDX plans to attend and exhibit at this show.

It is great to have this wonderful show come back to life. We want to
express our appreciation to all the folks who have worked to make
it happen.

Steve Stallings
PMDX

508
Box level controller products / Re: Sherline Compatibility
« on: December 27, 2014, 09:45:45 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.

509
Box level controller products / Re: Sherline Compatibility
« on: December 20, 2014, 10:03:05 PM »
Hi,

The PMDX-340 is a controller and motor driver. It is a complete
solution for driving bipolar stepper motors using signals from
a parallel port. It is the ideal size for running machines like a
Sherline.

Now the inevitable BUT... the Sherline motors are factory wired
as unipolar motors. It is possible to remove the factory plug
and separate the wires such that the center taps of the motor
windings are no longer tied together. Then you can run them
with the PMDX-340. Performance can be somewhat improved
by getting more powerful bipolar motors, especially for the
Z axis.

The PMDX-422 can be used to get signals from Mach4 via a
USB port to the PMDX-340. If you can wait until late January
we will have a neater and more cost effective solution to use
with the PMDX-340 and Mach4.

Regards,
Steve Stallings

510
Announcements / Holiday Schedule
« on: December 16, 2014, 05:20:52 PM »
PMDX offices will be closed 24, 25, and 26 December 2014 for Christmas and 01 January 2015 for New Years.

Orders may still be placed on our web site and will be processed when we return.

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