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  1. 4th August 2013, 04:14 PM #1
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    warrick
    warrick is offline SENIOR MEMBER
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    Default Smoothstepper problem I solved

    Well I have made a few improvements to my machine, I have added a 2.2kw spindle and VFD and while trying to get the settings off the old VFD my PC decided it had enough so it died.
    I went down to Austin Computers and picked up parts and built a new one
    i5 processor 8gig ram used original video card and HDD
    While putting together I realised it didn't have a parallel port and that XP 32bit only supports 3 gig ram, no problems I will run Win 7 64 bit and get my smoothstepper hooked up
    After some fiddling around with settings I have managed to get all axises working but only for a short time before SS lost communication and freeze mach 3.
    I posted on Warp9 form to see what else I could check and they suggested it was a noise problem. I disconnected the VFD completely to eliminate that source, connected an earth lead from the machine to the PC. All of these had no effect.
    I then connected the USB cord directly to the SS rather than as I had through a USB B male to B Female Panel Mount Extension Cable that I had used to make things neat.
    Things started to work fine and have been now for a few hours.
    I guess I will now have to find a grommet for the USB cable.
    Now to go and finish the other settings and test the rest of my new bits
    CNC is so much fun
    (if you are wondering what the cable is that I have taken out I put a picture below)


    Regards

    Warrick


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  3. 4th August 2013, 05:57 PM #2
    rodm
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    Hi Warrick,
    I had a similar problem with that connector. The hole I had made through a metal enclosure was too small and the USB lead from the computer was grounding on the case. Easy fix to open the hole up a bit so the connector had clearance. Was your setup similar to this?
    Cheers,
    Rod
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  4. 4th August 2013, 06:40 PM #3
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    warrick
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    Quote Originally Posted by rodm View Post
    Hi Warrick,
    I had a similar problem with that connector. The hole I had made through a metal enclosure was too small and the USB lead from the computer was grounding on the case. Easy fix to open the hole up a bit so the connector had clearance. Was your setup similar to this?
    I will have to give that a try tomorrow when I go back to the shed, at the moment I am looking up instructions for spindle control from mach 3. Let you know then

    Warrick
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  5. 4th August 2013, 08:28 PM #4
    RustyArc
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    I went for the Ethernet version of the Smoothstepper due to the comments I'd read regarding interference with the USB model. So far it's been faultless, but I do need to sort out how to enclose it.

    As for spindle control, I went with a USB->RS485 converter and used Modbus to control the VFD - works extremely well, although I can't get the damn RPM DRO in Mach3 to show the actual speed, which it seems is a known issue.
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  6. 4th August 2013, 08:35 PM #5
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    warrick
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    I went for the Ethernet version of the Smoothstepper due to the comments I'd read regarding interference with the USB model. So far it's been faultless, but I do need to sort out how to enclose it.

    As for spindle control, I went with a USB->RS485 converter and used Modbus to control the VFD - works extremely well, although I can't get the damn RPM DRO in Mach3 to show the actual speed, which it seems is a known issue.

    In my searching I found this, it may help you

    http://royaumedeole.fr/informatique/...-huanyang-vfd/

    Warrick
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  7. 5th August 2013, 10:42 AM #6
    RustyArc
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    Quote Originally Posted by warrick View Post
    In my searching I found this, it may help you

    http://royaumedeole.fr/informatique/...-huanyang-vfd/

    Warrick
    Unfortunately, my machine uses a different "Nowforever" VFD, although on the upside, it doesn't appear to cause the interference problems that the Huanyang unit's know for.
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  8. 5th August 2013, 06:31 PM #7
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    warrick
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    Quote Originally Posted by rodm View Post
    Hi Warrick,
    I had a similar problem with that connector. The hole I had made through a metal enclosure was too small and the USB lead from the computer was grounding on the case. Easy fix to open the hole up a bit so the connector had clearance. Was your setup similar to this?
    You were right as usual, I have made the hole bigger and it hasn't faulted since
    Thanks Rod

    Warrick
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