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


http://www.homanndesigns.com/store/i...B_Panel_MF.png

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?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rodm

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?

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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

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RustyArc

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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In my searching I found this, it may help you

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

Warrick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by warrick

In my searching I found this, it may help you

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

Warrick

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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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rodm

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?

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You were right as usual, I have made the hole bigger and it hasn't faulted since :2tsup:
Thanks Rod

Warrick