Refit of old CandCNC Machine

[martyscncgarage]

Physically swap the X and Y axis drives to see if the problem stays or moves to Y

[Black Forest]

Maybe you have already tried this but have you tried the same size pocket in Intercon?

[firepilot]

I can try to swap the drives. I will see if I can figure out how to draw a rectangle with intercon. I looked at that yesterday and didn’t find it very simple.

Thank you

Phil

[firepilot]

I did swap drives today and that didn’t change anything. Working on switching motors but now have to order a new timing gear.

Phil

[martyscncgarage]

So the problem stayed with X. Yes, swapping the motors would be my next suggestion, but more likely did you check everything mechanical on X. Why do you need a "timing gear"? You mean timing pulley?

[firepilot]

I meant timing pulley.

I had the timing pully securely on the motor shaft. I messed it up taking it off. Luckily I have 2 spare pullies I discovered. They were all originally made for 3/8 shaft so I need to drill it out in the morning. Then I will put the x-axis motor on the Z-axis and see what happens.

I did send a note to DMM today. They said they rarely have problems with motors. However, I have already had to switch one out. So It won't surprise me if that is the issue.

I hope to just get this thing accurate enough to sell it at this point. An Avid CNC with clear path servos or just some stepper motors is looking pretty attractive at this point.

I know this has to be something simple.......

Thanks

Phil

[firepilot]

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to give an update. I have had my x-axis motor plate machined to give me belt tension adjustment. So we now have that eliminated from the equation. Yesterday when I was working on the machine after doing all this I was still having a small 1/32 or so step on the left side when making a pocket or about anything. Tightening up the x-axis has helped this greatly.

Still, it wasn't perfect so I went back to the spindle mount. My router came with a porter cable router an when I installed the spindle It was a dig=fferent diameter. I had made some spacer rings with mu laser. After breaking out some measuring tools I determined that the spindle was not vertical. The rings were a bad solution. I replaced the spindle wth the old router temporarily and that cleaned up my cuts.

So mystery solved and my friend with a real machine shop is making new mounts for the spindle on Monday. So I hope to actually have this thing dialed in.

Just trying to make this a closed loop thread as I hate a question with no solution.

Thank you

Phil

[martyscncgarage]

Excellent news Phil.
Thanks for the follow up.
Marty

[firepilot]

Hey GUys,

Back once again. I have all the mechanical issues ironed out and I am fighting the DMM Snake Head. I consistently have issues with the motors losing steps or something. In a pocket, it leaves steps on the left side. On an engraved circle yesterday it made an oval. It just consistently moves to the right.

I have talked to DMM and tried testing these things. Customer service is slow and they are not taking phone calls.

I have had Stephan giving suggestions but when I try to use the DDDDRV program it will read the servos every time but it will actually only move the servos after being put into RS 232 mode about 2 times in 20.

I have adjusted DRO travel and fine DRO travel so many times. Every time I switch a drive around to test it even if I put the exact same turn ratios back in it changes.

DMM insists it should work but I am beyond frustrated.

I am asking DMM to take the damn things back, I don't have any more time to burn on this thing. I don't know if they will take them or not but its time to move on.

I read Marty's thread about wiring these things and I guess I wish I had done that. I did not however and bought and installed all the parts on their wiring diagram.

I have some old stepper motors, and a few gecko drives. I'll do some searching around to see if I can get this thing to work or I'll just sell off the parts.

Sorry for the long rant but man I am frustrated. The machine will make things, just not symmetrical square things..

[slodat]

Have you tried using the Acorn DB25 step/direction outputs instead of the screw terminals? I have had lost steps on both of my DYN4/Acorn machines, even though everyone tells me otherwise, I did extensive testing and switching to DB25 solves the issue. It's easy and worth a try. I'm happy to give you a hand if you'd like.