Thread: Help

i know very little about CNCs, except that the settings in Mach3 need to match the appropriate controller. Speaking of controllers, maybe if you can identify what the controller is and share that here, someone may know more.

If you're running Windows, open Device Manager and check what COM ports are visible to your device.
Make sure you use that COM port in the MACH3 setup
Make sure that the cable you have is not a "null modem" cable. It should be a DTE to DCE cable. See something like DB-9 Serial Pinouts: DCE-DTE, Gender and Null Modems with RS232 – Grid Connect for some info. If the cable is not correct, you'll never get it working.
BAUD rates are critical. If you don't get the BAUD and port settings right, you'll get nothing. The good news is it either works or doesn't, there's no harm. I'd always assume 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity (often written as N-8-1) and start at 9600 and work up the baud rates.

Hi Poundy,
I took a panel off the CNC and found that the relevant board is an X662 with a 9 pin serial output on the board. This is then connected to the 9 pin serial port of the machine. I was able to download the specs for this card so it may be of use to soeone with more knowledge than me.
Many thanks for your advice,
Paul

Originally Posted by Wood Nut

I was able to download the specs for this card so it may be of use

Mind linking to it for people ? I couldn't easily find a relevant link.
How'd you go with checking the COM port settings?

I found a manual for the X662 board.
4161758.pdf

HTH

Hi Poundy,
No trouble with the Com port. Was just about to put up the link to the X662 card but Lappa beat me to it.
Cheers,
Paul

Hi Lappa,
Thanks for that. I found it also, but not sure where to go with it. I may have to see if there is someone in the area who knows a bit more about it. Wouldn't be hard to find someone who knows more than me.
Cheers,
Paul

ok so the baud settings in the apps needs to be as per section 5 circa page 52, as 115200 n-8-1-xon/xoff. It even gives you a way to test that it's responding using hyperterm. Report back that it passes that test, and take a photo of the communication parameters you're then using in Mach3

That's a really good manual. Loads of info in there.You should have that machine choochin' in no time now Paul.
I've got a hand controller that might plug straight in. My daughter is using it for Uni though so I'll see if she still needs it. I might have to organise a trip to the wilds of Clarence Town.

Thanks to those who offered advice -

A bit of an update, following an induced hiatis due to yet more hand surgery and lots of brain overload.
Good news: the VFD, of unknown origin, works great and the spindle sounds spot on - I hadn't managed to stuff up the settings yet!
Bad news: No idea how to setup Mach3 so it talks to anything - the X662 board has 9 pin (DB9) serial input and is supposed to work with Mach3. The computer (Windows 98) that came with the CNC eventually worked but now only turns on occasionally - I think it's the mother board, but I do have another one and will try that soon.
More bad news - I found a backup .xml file to put back in Mach3 but it seems to make little difference.
Is there anyone running Mach3 with a serial 9pin setup? If so I would love to see the settings.

Cheers,
Paul - the owner of the large and heavy paper weight.

Hi mate, I think that unit needs a pendant controller with USB. You do your G code and iput it in a usb stick, the smaller the better, and chuck it straight tino the pendant and run it. I could be wrong, as I saw this one ages ago, but I have a QuickCNC that uses the same type of input. The chinese call it Mach3 but it's a bit of misnomer I think.
This is the one I have. It has the RS232 as outlined in your manual. Most of the other stuff in the manual 474735 could be applied to a bunch of controllers.
CNC Pendant Controller MO-CON501, CNC Controllers
They're a UK company but I assume they 're all made in china as you can buy them here:
RZNC 0501 DSP Controller 3 Axis 0501 System For Cnc Router DSP0501 HKNC 0501HDDC Handle Remote English Version Manual NEWCARVE| | - AliExpress
Bit of a pain in the B but you can always just change the breakout board and use what ever rig you want I guess.
Maybe call these guys, in Adelaide I think, Machdrive, they are pretty cool.
machdrives on eBay
Then you can just plug a laptop running Mach3 or whatever you choose, but I reckon that pendant is a strong possible.

Thanks mate. Will look into this later in the week.
Cheers,
Paul

Hi stevevelkneival,
I looked at your recommendations and it seems sound advice. Thank you.
However, I still don't understand how this would help me set up Mach3 for a serial breakout board (X662). My CNC only has a DB9 (9pin) serial port.
Thanks again,
Paul