Quote Originally Posted by dcrump1960 View Post
Hi
I have the MKX-IV mach3 control card USB . I have it running but I won't the mach3 control board to actually turn on a an external relay to bring on the DC power to the gecko drives and to give my ac drive the run command with an external relay also. But I can get the internal output relays in the motion board to com on to turn my external relays on . I need some help in addressing them in the software. I will appreciate any help.
Thanks
It's not good idea to have Mach3 or any software control power to your drives. Safest way is to have latching E-stop safety circuit turn on the drives and then send signal to Mach3 that it's safe to work.
This is done using Relay with Normally open contacts and Momentery button. When Mo-button is pushed this latches the relay on. It's contacts close and allows power to flow to drives Until the E-stop button is pressed at which point the Latch drops and drives etc turn off.
One set of contacts on relay also control input to Mach3 to say when E-stop pressed. If E-stop pressed then Relay wont latch when Mo-Button pressed and Mach3 won't Reset.