. .
  1. #1
    Hi. Hope I'm posting in the correct place and apologies if I don't explain problem as I should.
    I have a Sherline mill with Routout boards running Mach 3. There are 2 limit switches on each axis. Everything works fine except top (home switch) on z-axis. Switches are NC (normally closed).
    It isn't a faulty switch and seems to be connected properly to the board however nothing seems to detect it. The bottom z axis switch works fine. I can upload any pics, config files etc that may help.
    Would love fault finding suggestions. David
    Taunton

    Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Mach 3 can only detect axis switches on limits. It doesn't know whick one, plus or minus, so disconnect the wiring from the top switch and daisy chain the two switches together and try that.
    John S -

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to John S For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Thanks. Will try that as soon as home and post back.

    Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

  5. #4
    All your limit switches should ideally be NC and like John says only need to use 1 input for two switches. Infact you only need one input for ALL the switches if NC because can wire them in series (Daisy Chain)

    Home Switches tend to be NO but can be NC if required.
    Have you watched the LED in diagnostics while tripping the switch manually.? It could be that it's working but the polarity is wrong so mach not seeing any change. If LED changes then flip the Active Low in Ports & pins.

    But to test the input for your Z axis (or any axis) just touch jump wire between input (+) and Gnd. Watch the diagnostic screen for the LED changing.
    This will confirm if it's Wirng/Switch or the Actual Input on BOB.

    If works ok then test the switch and if that works start tracing the wires looking for bad/lose connections.

    Be methodical and you'll find it quick.
    Last edited by JAZZCNC; 10-09-2016 at 01:19 PM.

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to JAZZCNC For This Useful Post:


  7. #5
    Thank you both. It seems there was a break in one wire to one of the switches. So as suggested I daisy-chained both z axis switches together. I think I had developed brain ache by then though as I had wired them in parallel! Then did it properly and 100% now. Thanks again.


    Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Neeps For This Useful Post:


  9. #6
    bottom Z axis ? why would you want a limit switch on there ?

    ideally you are correct in having NC switches, this is so that if the wire is damaged and breaks the machine will stop
    if the wire breaks on a NO switch , the machine is non the wiser and carries on , prolly resulting in a crash :-S

    im suprised your machine ran with a break in the wire ... it shouldnt have allowed you to

  10. #7
    It had limit switches on z x and y when I got it.

    Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

  11. #8
    So didn't bother to remove them. I suspect some other wiring issue and has somewhere had a workaround in the past. Rewiring the switches seems to have sorted it out.


    Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

  12. #9
    Magic, thanks for the update.
    John S -

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to John S For This Useful Post:


  14. #10
    Clive S's Avatar
    Lives in Marple Stockport, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 14 Hours Ago Forum Superstar, has done so much to help others, they deserve a medal. Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 3,333. Received thanks 618 times, giving thanks to others 78 times. Made a monetary donation to the upkeep of the community. Is a beta tester for Machinists Network features.
    im suprised your machine ran with a break in the wire ... it shouldnt have allowed you to
    I think he said he had them wired in parallel
    ..Clive
    The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to Clive S For This Useful Post:


Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Proximity limit switch problems
    By davrich in forum General Electronics
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 12-03-2018, 01:58 PM
  2. Limit switch problem
    By ECCO in forum General Electronics
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 25-12-2015, 11:28 AM
  3. One limit switch per axis
    By EddyCurrent in forum General Electronics
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 30-09-2013, 11:38 AM
  4. Limit switch Cable ...
    By Wobblybootie in forum General Electronics
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 17-01-2011, 04:37 PM
  5. Limit switch's - best configuration?
    By HiltonSteve in forum General Electronics
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 13-08-2009, 01:26 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •