new HS-1 - more buttons

[samcrow]

My machine has a black and red button instead of green and yellow. The black functions as Cycle Start. The red doesn't seem to do anything, it does not do Feed Hold. Also the EP button does not have the yellow background normally supplied with EP buttons.

[romaxxcnc]

Hi Sam,

The red feedhold button works through the second port on your machine. If it isn't connected or the port address is not entered in Mach3, it won't work.

The background I'll send to you.

Thanks, Ron

[samcrow]

I am using the second port with the card and xml file. let me know if there is a way to test the servo mode for functionality.

thanks sam

[romaxxcnc]

Hi Sam,

I sent the plug-in as an attachment with an email.

Thanks, Ron

[Nick]

If you are still having troubles try these tips:

On a closed loop machine, make sure you have Port 2 enabled and set to the proper PORT ADDRESS.

This is found in Mach under:

Mach
-->Config (pull down)
---->Ports and Pins
------>Port Setup and Axis selection

This number is different on every computer; make sure the number in here is the number you found in the Windows control panel when you installed the new parallel port card. Make sure the port is 'ENABLED' and 'PINS 2-9' is checked. See below.



Now check the INPUT SIGNALS. These are (as far as I know, "OEM Trigger 1" for Cycle Start and "OEM Trigger 2" for Feed Hold.



Do NOT use the numbers you see above. Try the AUTOMATED SETUP. Here's how it works:



On the INPUT SIGNALS screen, select 'Automated Setup of Inputs".

Click the pull-down and select "OEMTRIGGER#1" and click 'AUTOSET'.

Now physicaly press the upper button (Cycle Start) on your machine's control panel (I cant remember what color that is on your machine.).

You will notice the field at the bottom of the screen list what Port and Pin you just activated by pressing the button.

Now press 'OK' to save it to Mach 3.

Now repeat the process for the other button, using 'OEMTRIGGER#2'.

This works with any inputs, factory or otherwise, on the machine. One just has to be aware what 'SIGNAL' you are trying to set.

-Nick

[samcrow]

Thanks for the inputs, but I am still having trouble with the second parallel interface. I went to a different PC for a fresh run at it. Question - the second printer installed as LPT 3, is that correct. The resources for LPT1 are I/O Range 0378-037f and 0778-077f. The resources for LPT3 are I/O Range df08-df0f and df10-df17. I have told Mach 3 df0f and also tried df17 for Port #2 but still does not work. I am using RogersPlug .... dll configured to have all 4 axis NOT enabled so I can run open loop at least. In that mode, still doing "Anything"s.

[Nick]

Try 'df08' for port address #2.

[Nick]

Another way to see if your port is functioning properly on the PC is to switch the parallel cables at the Romaxx and switch the port addresses in Mach.

In other words, forget the closed loop for now. Run the Romaxx from port 1 on the PC only. Now change the cable to run the Romaxx from the new card you put in the pc and change the port 1 address in Mach to match it.

Using this method, you will find out if you have indeed properly installed the additional port in your pc. Then once you know both ports work properly, you can eliminate that as a possible problem.

-Nick

addendum: I just realized that what I have described here may work on the older encoder board only. Ron will have to say if this will work or not.

[romaxxcnc]

Hi Nick, Sam,

Yes, swapping addresses and cables should work. Both parallel ports are identical in funtionality, 12 outs and 5 ins. Port2 having the abilty to make 2-9 as inputs.

Sam, On some PC's they just don't like that particular generic card and it's driver. Don't fight with it, if you have a Best buy or whatever close, just go pick up another that uses an XP driver and I'll refund you. They have them for like 20 bucks. Not worth messing with the one I sent.

Also, you might want to check, I had one instance with a cutomer installing a 2nd port and it was a bios issue with the PC. The 2nd ECP port was disabled. Thats pretty rare, and if you've tried two different PC's, I doubt thats the problem.

Let us know how it goes for you,

Thanks, Ron

[samcrow]

Well at last some good news to report! Both ports appear to be working. Got it going last night and still working this morning. I would like to document the process for others possible benefit but it is too involved, I don't like typing that much. So just a couple points:
1 - I tried 'df08' without success but when it did start working, that is the address used (thanks Nick)
2 - I did some cable swapping to test the parallel card. I had indications that the card hardware worked. I told Mach 3 the address of port 2 was 378 and port 1 was df08. then I plugged the parallel card into connector 1. jogging somewhat functioned.
I then looked at xp control panel system hardware and the tree symbols for the multifunction and lpt2 were gone!
I put Mach 3 to normal with the address for port 1 378 and port 2 df08. I then configured the DLL to enable compare of the DRO to servo.

The multifunction and lpt2 magically reappeared to xp and all functions I tried using Mach 3 worked including the two front buttons! Amazing!

Have a blessed and safe 4th

[romaxxcnc]

Hi Sam,

Good to hear. Sometimes that second port can be a bit of a pain to install. Connecting a machine open loop with just the one port is always very easy. It's just Microsoft and their hardware add functions. It keeps trying to install one of it's own drivers wether the user wants it or not.

Anyways, glad you got it sorted.

Are you doing "anythings" still? Actually I've never seen that program actually cut. It was moreless just a program to display motion. If you get some pics, please post them. Always a kick to see what everyone is doing.

Thanks, Ron