Troubleshooting non responsive machine- Mach3/Syil x4

[IhateDoug]

Knowing now that its never worked for you then You need to go back to basics and just get the machine talking to mach3 So it moves the axis.
That board is a spindle board and won't affect anything but the spindle so dont worry about that now.

In it's basic form all you need to get machine moving is to connect drives to Bob and provide power. Limits', e-estop and everything else can be left disconnected.

Then in mach3 just set correct step n direction pins for each drive in motor outputs. You can ignore any input/outputs as they only apply if being used. you will have to toggle estop active high/low so mach resets.

When you have movement then you can start putting the limits etc back into use.

Trying to trouble shoot a machine you know nothing about is like fubbling around in dark. Better to just start again at the beggining.





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I’m abit lost sorry - I thought the bob was the issue? The machine has worked, I’ve used it for about a year- the problem came after moving it.

Would I be correct to say I need a new bob and motor drivers?

[AndyUK]

Never mind I wrote something after skipping a few pages.... :/

[IhateDoug]

Never mind I wrote something after skipping a few pages.... :/

No stress mate- would something like this be any good?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F401808748123


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[paulus.v]

I’m abit lost sorry - I thought the bob was the issue? The machine has worked, I’ve used it for about a year- the problem came after moving it.

Would I be correct to say I need a new bob and motor drivers?

No. Unless you really want/need to make an upgrade. I doubt you have fried your motor drivers.

Could you start again troubleshooting the signal, starting from your computer?

First measure the parallel port pin output voltages to see if mach3 outputs signal when you send commands and if this signal is 0-5 volt. If not, there's a problem on the computer side. It could be mach3 parallel port driver, computer power management, bios settings.

If mach3 is transmitting and receiving 5v signal through the parallel port then most probably the BoB is the problem.

If you need more detailed assistance in checking the signal I can try to give you a step by step guidance.

[IhateDoug]

No. Unless you really want/need to make an upgrade. I doubt you have fried your motor drivers.

Could you start again troubleshooting the signal, starting from your computer?

First measure the parallel port pin output voltages to see if mach3 outputs signal when you send commands and if this signal is 0-5 volt. If not, there's a problem on the computer side. It could be mach3 parallel port driver, computer power management, bios settings.

If mach3 is transmitting and receiving 5v signal through the parallel port then most probably the BoB is the problem.

If you need more detailed assistance in checking the signal I can try to give you a step by step guidance.

Checked and mach3 is sending 5v through the parallel port


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[JAZZCNC]

I’m abit lost sorry - I thought the bob was the issue? The machine has worked, I’ve used it for about a year- the problem came after moving it.

Would I be correct to say I need a new bob and motor drivers?

This is my point. If all you did was move the machine which worked before the move then it's highly unlikely that the Bob or Drives are broke. Worst case you'll have lose or broken wire.
The fact you changed the pc gives much higher chance your problem lies here.

It's certainly the first place should be looking and testing PP is working.

Regards the machine itself then it's very basic machine so won't be difficult diagnose any fault. However first need know exactly what you have in control box. Or better put how hacked up it's been from standard.?

In it's basic form to get movement all you need is power for bob and drives and signals from PP. Everything else can be left disconnected and replaced at later time when got movement.

Show us pics of inside control box and each of the boards.




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[IhateDoug]

This is my point. If all you did was move the machine which worked before the move then it's highly unlikely that the Bob or Drives are broke. Worst case you'll have lose or broken wire.
The fact you changed the pc gives much higher chance your problem lies here.

It's certainly the first place should be looking and testing PP is working.

Regards the machine itself then it's very basic machine so won't be difficult diagnose any fault. However first need know exactly what you have in control box. Or better put how hacked up it's been from standard.?

In it's basic form to get movement all you need is power for bob and drives and signals from PP. Everything else can be left disconnected and replaced at later time when got movement.

Show us pics of inside control box and each of the boards.




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[JAZZCNC]

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Ok nowhere do I see a Parallel port cable but I do see an Ethernet Cable going to what looks like a Controller board with ribbon cables going to Breakout board so are you sure it's using Parallel port.?
If it's using Ethernet then it won't work untill you set the Ethernet address and it would be Dead just like your experiencing.!

[cropwell]

Now I have seen the pics, I get the bigger picture. The QTCL BoB is a parallel port BoB - BUT - in this case it is being driven by the PCF08094 which is an ethernet interface.

You have two options :-

Set up the Ethernet address as Jazz says (which is the better way to go!)

or plug the QTCL BoB into your printer port with an appropriate printer cable adapter like this one - If you could find one (I am not selling mine!)

[IhateDoug]

Now I have seen the pics, I get the bigger picture. The QTCL BoB is a parallel port BoB - BUT - in this case it is being driven by the PCF08094 which is an ethernet interface.

You have two options :-

Set up the Ethernet address as Jazz says (which is the better way to go!)

or plug the QTCL BoB into your printer port with an appropriate printer cable adapter like this one - If you could find one (I am not selling mine!)

The printer port connects to the PCF08094 board - which then connects to the Bob via a ribbon cable ( This is how it was when I bought it and worked).

So are you saying to unplug the ribbon cable that currently connects the print port to the PCF08094 board and connect it directly to the bob?

I have uploaded a video which mite make things clearer



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