Drivers operating in erratic way

[Muzzer]

Sounds as if the drivers are not registering all of the step pulses the controller is sending them. What pulse frequency and pulse width are you sending them? You might try to slow down the frequency to give them a chance.

I found that I had to slow the frequency down to 100kHz before the Chinesium stepper drive I was playing with would work consistently. Apparently that is about right for many of these things. The fact it used to work but now sort of doesn't suggests that you were marginal to be begin with. That might have required only slight changes in things like the wiring, temperature and age of the components to mess things up.

I'd suggest you lower the stepper frequency (in the controller setings) as a first step and see where that gets you.

[John11668]

Will try that then come back and report.
May not get to it today !

[JAZZCNC]

The first question to ask is it a genuine UC100 from CNCdrive motion controls or was it bought from eBay.?

Next, I've seen this happen many times with various controllers, and often it's a corrupted Mach3 XML. Either create a new profile using the same settings or go into the XML backup folder and use an old one that you know worked. Personally I'd set up a new one.

Or better still invest in UCCNC as it's now much better than Mach3.

[John11668]

The first question to ask is it a genuine UC100 from CNCdrive motion controls or was it bought from eBay.?

Next, I've seen this happen many times with various controllers, and often it's a corrupted Mach3 XML. Either create a new profile using the same settings or go into the XML backup folder and use an old one that you know worked. Personally I'd set up a new one.

Or better still invest in UCCNC as it's now much better than Mach3.

The UC100 was obtained from CNC4you and I am assured that it is the genuine article .
I dont have a problem with the £60 or so for a UCCNC licence but slight concern about familiarization with a new bit of software.
Will I find it easy to convert ?
Is there a trial option?

[ngwagwa]

The UC100 was obtained from CNC4you and I am assured that it is the genuine article .
I dont have a problem with the £60 or so for a UCCNC licence but slight concern about familiarization with a new bit of software.
Will I find it easy to convert ?
Is there a trial option?

I moved from Mach3 to UUCNC earlier this year and it is a doddle, the only thing you may need to look at are the Constant Velocity settings. UUCNC is also a lot faster when you need to restart a program part way through taking seconds to restart instead of ages like Mach3. The standard probing functions are great.

[John11668]

Still cant install UCCNC despite trying various settings
Will see if CNCdrive can offer a solution.
WRT The erratics I was about to change cables anyway . Will fit new screened cable and and ensure screen is well earthed and then see if any difference. Changing the controller frequency did not seem to help sadly.
Any other suggestions would still be welcomed though.

[John11668]

The first question to ask is it a genuine UC100 from CNCdrive motion controls or was it bought from eBay.?

Next, I've seen this happen many times with various controllers, and often it's a corrupted Mach3 XML. Either create a new profile using the same settings or go into the XML backup folder and use an old one that you know worked. Personally I'd set up a new one.

Or better still invest in UCCNC as it's now much better than Mach3.

I took your advice on this Jazz and was quite happy with what I got until this week .
I lost my licence as a result of a crash and having to reinstall Windows .
UCCNC license disappeared too . I have asked them to resend email and two days later with much discussion on CNCdrive forum I am no further forward .
As I said there it is like buying a new car and finding yourself calling for help from manufacturer then getting ignored .

I am in no way trying to blame you jazz but just noting that while their software looks good their customer support can be second rate .
This seems to be borne out by some reviews .

[JAZZCNC]

I took your advice on this Jazz and was quite happy with what I got until this week .
I lost my licence as a result of a crash and having to reinstall Windows .
UCCNC license disappeared too . I have asked them to resend email and two days later with much discussion on CNCdrive forum I am no further forward .
As I said there it is like buying a new car and finding yourself calling for help from manufacturer then getting ignored .

I am in no way trying to blame you jazz but just noting that while their software looks good their customer support can be second rate .
This seems to be borne out by some reviews .

If you go to your Email server you may still have the email if you didn't delete it.? . . . But this should serve as a lesson to back up to an external source ie: USB stick or offsite drive like Dropbox.!!

[John11668]

lesson learned Jazz, but still doesn't alter the fact that their customer service is appalling

[JAZZCNC]

lesson learned Jazz, but still doesn't alter the fact that their customer service is appalling

Possibly but have you considered we are not the only country struggling with Covid and they might be short-staffed.?