Geck 540 motor drivers??

[Jonathan]

It sounds like your problem isn't the stepper drivers, it's getting the signals to the stepper drivers that's the problem.

Plasma cutters are well known for emitting a lot of emi, so you have to make sure all the signal cables are shielded with the ends properly terminated and earthed...but it sounds like you've already done that?

Perhaps post some pictures of your control box so we can see what you've got and if there's anything obvious?

What motors are you using? You might be able to run them all from the 36V PSU.

[gerrymoore]

Thank you both for your replies....I am grateful for any help on this! I do seem to be going backwards!! I started with just the 27volt 13 amp supply..I only run my motors at 2amps...but when my freezing problems started I added the extra supply....made no difference...possibly worse??

My machine has worked quite well for a long while with just the odd axis freeze but of late it has become almost unusable. I added a massive mains filter unit...didn't help. Rewired everything with new shielded cables and earthed one end...no good. Put the whole caboodle in a pc tower case with a cooling fan...not that anything was getting hot! I've had the plasma cutter checked out and also use a different torch...this has given me much better quality cuts...when the mchine actually works! Re routed the plasma supply cables up and over the machine well away from the steppers.

I can run it forever without a problem until I start the plasma so don't think I have a wiring problem...then, with the plasma it's just pot luck how long before a freeze. Sometimes I can cut out a whole profile without a hitch, then it will start freezing on nearly every plasma fire up.

I run the PC through a UPS via a separate mains supply to the plasma....the wife isn't too happy that we have an extension cable across the lawn to the shed!

I did try earthing the plasma unit to the CNC table but that seemed to make things worse rather than better......

The BOB problem started last week...the plasma 'stuttered' badly as it re-fired over a precut 'hole' ...the axis froze and I reset everything but the three axis would only go in one direction...using the Mach3 jog control forward or back they went the same way. Bought a new, different make, BOB and fitted it. Everything was working fine again until I started the plasma....first fire up the Y axis has gone completely and I suspect the driver unit has been damaged...the Z axis was OK but the X is only going one way again. I tried the X and Y on the Z BOB output.....the X was OK but the Y doesn't move at all.

It's driving me potty!! I was a TV engineer so I do understand electronics but as I said, everything new I do seems to make matters worse rather than better.

I would be happy to go to a toroidal PSU (did a quick EBAY search but couldn't see anything ready made) and even pay out for new digital drivers...if I thought it might cure my problems. BTW, when you say 'control box' what do you mean....the tower case I have with my drives, psu and BOB in I presume...if so yes I can post a photo.

[gerrymoore]

Just a quick one as just seen your other responses. The red light fault can be on any oif the three drives so can't be a wiring problem....sometimes both the red and the green lights go out..so that does point to the psu's?

[Clive S]

Quote :I would be happy to go to a toroidal PSU
This sort of thing but it does depend on the motor and drives used.
PS408-5 Linear power supply ..Clive

[Jonathan]

Lets all link to Zapp ;)

PS408-5 Linear power supply

[JAZZCNC]

Lets all link to Zapp ;)

PS408-5 Linear power supply

That reminds me.!! .. . Need to throw a thread up for Gary.??

[Gary]

Lets all link to Zapp ;)

PS408-5 Linear power supply

Thanks Jonathan, much appreciated.

[m_c]

I did wonder if you'd managed to sort this problem or not.

One thing I never thought about on your last thread, is the shed earth good?
You could have all your grounds connected perfectly, but if the grounds aren't actually connected to anything, then they won't be doing much good. A quick and dirty way to test, is plug an RCD in, and try the test button. If the earth is bad, then it won't trip.
Even if it does test OK, and the shed doesn't have it's own ground rod, I'd still be inclined to add a ground rod.

[JAZZCNC]

I would be happy to go to a toroidal PSU (did a quick EBAY search but couldn't see anything ready made) and even pay out for new digital drivers...if I thought it might cure my problems. BTW, when you say 'control box' what do you mean....the tower case I have with my drives, psu and BOB in I presume...if so yes I can post a photo.

Yes inside the box and if possible around the machine were wiring routes.

Gary at Zapp sells ready made toroidal supply. PS408-5 Linear power supply