Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

I have a ACORN CNC12 Lathe v4.64. This is a clean install. I started all over again. I did not modify any of the distribution files or add any files to the /cnct folder.

Two linear axes: X & Z. One rotary Axis: A
Everything appears to work correctly if I move the axes with the MDI, keyboard, or ShuttleXpress. However, all is not well when jogging with the VCP jog buttons. Some of the buttons move the wrong axes. This what happens (X-, Z+, C+, C- are wrong):

(Jog button) ==> Action

X+ ==> X+
X- ==> A+

Z+ ==> A-
Z- ==> Z-

A+ ==> A+
A- ==> A-

C+ ==> A+ (no C axis exists, but there are C-jogging buttons on the VCP)
C- ==> A-

I have attached the report and screenshots of the VCP and axes setup. In this particular setup, the rotary axis is Axis4 and has been designated the "A" axis. However, I also tried putting the rotary axis on Axis3 and using "C" rather than "A". Each combination gives a slightly different result, in that some of the jog buttons don't work correctly, just different ones each time.

If I have only the two linear axes, X & Z, the VCP jog buttons work correctly.

Thanks for your help,

Dan

what happens when you put the A axis label on Axis 3?

Hi Keith,
With A axis label on Axis 3:
The Z- & X+ buttons are OK. But the Z+ & X- buttons do nothing. BTW, I am clicking the buttons with a mouse.
Thanks, Dan

and when you put axis 3 set at "N" do the Z and X buttons work?

Hi Keith,
No, after I set axis 3 back to "N", the Z+ & X- buttons still do nothing.
Thanks, Dan

ok..then its not an issue with A or C axis assignments..

what kind of axis drives are being used?

when an axis runs only one way, its possible the direction signal needs inverted in the advanced tab.

Hi Keith,
They're Gecko G540. But it's only the VCP jog buttons that are a problem. MDI gcode commands, and jogging with the keyboard and shuttle work fine. -- I can move all axes in all directions. And even if the drives were configured wrong, the X & Z VCP jog buttons shouldn't move the A axis.
Thanks, Dan

i've seen this on some older chipset G540's , can you try a different drive?

Hi Keith, I don't have another drive to test out, but I can disconnect the G540 and put an oscilloscope on the step/dir lines to see what's getting sent to the G540. What I don't understand is how the signals sent to the G540 would differ depending on whether the movement commands were initiated by MDI gcode commands, jogging with the keyboard and shuttle, or jogging with the VCP. It will take me a little while to set up the 'scope, etc., but I will get back to you.
Thanks, Dan

Doesn't make sense.
This is lathe.
So when you command Z- carriage moves to the headstock
When you command Z+ it moves away from the headstock
When you Command X- it moves to spindle centerline
When you command X+ it moves away from spindle centerline
When you move the axes with the MDI, keyboard, or ShuttleXpress?

What do the DROs do when you use the VCP, do they increment correctly when the corresponding Axis Jog button is pressed or as you stated:
X+ ==> X+
X- ==> A+

Z+ ==> A-
Z- ==> Z-

A+ ==> A+
A- ==> A-

C+ ==> A+ (no C axis exists, but there are C-jogging buttons on the VCP)
C- ==> A-

You did another FRESH install of 4.64, and manually configured it or did you restore from a report?
I would do a complete uninstall of the current version and do a fresh install. Select G540 Drive only and then try and move the axis.

Is this a new build or was this lathe previously running under another control software?

Marty