Let the fun begin !!! ???

[JAZZCNC]

just to double check a few things with you......
1... the run signal( from VFD) is the ''FOR'' signal from the BOB relay.

Yes Take wire from FOR and run thru the BOB relay contacts and back to DCM on VFD.

2... the PWM connector on the BOB has 3 terminals, +10 v , FIV, GND.
i'm only using the FIV & GND terminal to connect to the VFD.
the +10v terminal remains unconnected?
this side of the build is new to me so i'm being extra cautious !!!!

Caution is Wise policy if your not sure.!

The +10v is used to provide the reference voltage if you want to control the speed with a Pot (Potentiometer). You don't need it because the BOB provides the reference voltage. (FIV)

[PAULRO]

I have noticed that when any of my ,X,Y,Z, limts are triggered MACH responds with a ''PLCM limit reached '' under the reset button . the ''M2 -- LIMIT'' led , flashes briefly in the diagnostic tab under the ''Z'' column and my motors also loose their hold on the axes. when the ''A'' is triggered i get the same result but M4--LIMIT'' flashes in the same column .i 'm at a loss at this stage because i thought that the motors would hold their position and that the leds would stay on. i was about to wire in the overide for the limits and the control for the VFD but i will hold off until i sort this out. if any one can shed some light on this it would be greaty appreciated. i have checked the wiring and the ports and pins settings and everything seems in order. this has me stumped.

[JAZZCNC]

It's been awhile since I played with PLCM but will probably be the PLCM disableing the motor outputs when it see's a limit trip. Check to see if the plug-in as an option to leave motor outputs enabled.

Not sure what "Z" Column your meaning thou.?

[PAULRO]

sorry, i mean the 3rd column over from the left in the'' input signal current state''. i'm not too sure about the plug in for the motion controller, the paperwork doesn't mention an option to leave the motors enabled.

[Clive S]

I have noticed that when any of my ,X,Y,Z, limts are triggered MACH responds with a ''PLCM limit reached '' under the reset button . the ''M2 -- LIMIT'' led , flashes briefly in the diagnostic tab under the ''Z'' column and my motors also loose their hold on the axes. when the ''A'' is triggered i get the same result but M4--LIMIT'' flashes in the same column

I have checked mine this morning ( I also use the PLCM) and indeed it does release the motors when hitting a limit switch when jogging. So you always have to re home. I would of course not hit the limits in normal use because the soft limits are set to just inside the switches. (unless of course the machine was losing steps) ..Clive

[PAULRO]

thanks for that Clive, at least that's cleared that up for me. is there any chance you could check a few things for me on your controller?

1...does the ''PACKET'' led flash constantly when MACH is reset?

2... the power led is on constantly
3... the connect led is also on constantly
4.. the e/stop led comes on when an e/stop is pressed.

i have 3 inputs wired in to the BOB currently

1 .. e/stop .. N/C
2... A slave N/C
3.. X,Y,Z, in series N/C
The relevant leds are on , on the BOB, my ports and pins are set correctly( they stop the M/C when triggered). but they only trigger briefly on the diagnostic tab. how are yours set up?

[JAZZCNC]

The relevant leds are on , on the BOB, my ports and pins are set correctly( they stop the M/C when triggered). but they only trigger briefly on the diagnostic tab. how are yours set up?

Don't worry about the Diagnostics Led's. It's working as it should and thats all that matters.
External motion control cards take certain duty's away from Mach3 and do it there way. This is why your motors drop out when limits are pressed. PLCM as taken over the duty's of watching the Inputs and won't be reporting this back to Mach constantly. You may find the PLCM software as some way to identify any active I/O.
Homing is another area that the controller takes over doing so don't be surprised if it doesn't work like Mach3 manual says it should. Mach3 by default assumes your using the parallel port which is completly different kettle of fish.

So long as the machine goes where it's told and behaves it self then don't fret if it does some things different to how Mach normally does it. You'll often find external motion controllers do it better anyway.

[PAULRO]

that's a relief Jazz , i'm nearly finished with the wiring side of things and then i notice these discrepancies. you hit the nail on the head with that assessment of my last evening. i was trying to get it to behave as per manual / video !!!
i have another query , if you don't mind , i powered up my spindle manually from the VFD yesterday morning and it went well , i'm very happy with it . in fact when i press stop on the Vfd the spindle stops from top speed within 2-3 secs. i have seen clips where it coasts for a decent amount of time before stopping . so once again am i making a wrong comparison?

[JAZZCNC]

i have another query , if you don't mind , i powered up my spindle manually from the VFD yesterday morning and it went well , i'm very happy with it . in fact when i press stop on the Vfd the spindle stops from top speed within 2-3 secs. i have seen clips where it coasts for a decent amount of time before stopping . so once again am i making a wrong comparison?

This is simply that they have a different deacceleration setting in the VFD. Change the Accelleration and de-acceleration parameter to suit your liking. I think it's PD 14 & 15.
Don't have it stop too quick otherwise it can trip the VFD when using large cutters.