I have a TAIG desktop Mill with a PMDX – 122 motion control board that utilizes a parallel port.

 

The machine has always run without problem and in the middle of a 15 minute milling job it stopped about halfway and I cannot get the machine to respond no matter what I try.

 

I even replaced the control box, which I had a spare, that  included the PMDX -122 motion control, and Gecko drivers, and that did not help.

anybody have any ideas what could’ve caused this?

 

Thanks,

Chuck

 

 

 

-sent from my iphone --



        Limit switch & wires all good ?

animal

On 1/12/24 10:02 AM, Chuck Kahler wrote:

I have a TAIG desktop Mill with a PMDX – 122 motion control board that utilizes a parallel port.

 

The machine has always run without problem and in the middle of a 15 minute milling job it stopped about halfway and I cannot get the machine to respond no matter what I try.

 

I even replaced the control box, which I had a spare, that  included the PMDX -122 motion control, and Gecko drivers, and that did not help.

anybody have any ideas what could’ve caused this?

 

Thanks,

Chuck

 

 

 

Mike,

-sent from my iphone --



Mach3 notorious for not working well on a laptop, usually power savings features of a laptop cause issues

 

From: MachCNC@groups.io <MachCNC@groups.io> On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2024 12:14 PM
To: MachCNC@groups.io
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.

 

Mike,

That was my thought At first, then I remembered this little guy doesn’t have any limit switches on it.  

 

I’m wondering if something could’ve happened to the parallel port itself within the laptop computer. 

 

I say this because I tried two different control boxes and it made no difference.

 

Thanks for your input,

Chuck

 

 

-sent from my iphone --

 

 

On Jan 12, 2024, at 10:36 AM, mike allen <animal@...> wrote:



        Limit switch & wires all good ?

animal

On 1/12/24 10:02 AM, Chuck Kahler wrote:

I have a TAIG desktop Mill with a PMDX – 122 motion control board that utilizes a parallel port.

 

The machine has always run without problem and in the middle of a 15 minute milling job it stopped about halfway and I cannot get the machine to respond no matter what I try.

 

I even replaced the control box, which I had a spare, that  included the PMDX -122 motion control, and Gecko drivers, and that did not help.

anybody have any ideas what could’ve caused this?

 

Thanks,

Chuck

 

 

 

-sent from my iphone --

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

On 13 Jan 2024, at 11:46, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:

Martin,

Thank you for the detailed response, 

I will do what you suggest and report back to the group. 

Thank you again,

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --

On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Martin Connelly <martin.at.leasingham@...> wrote:

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

-sent from my iphone --

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

-sent from my iphone --

I once had the problem, that a connection of one of the limit switches got loose…. FYI

Patrick

On 13 Jan 2024, at 11:46, Chuck Kahler <chuck767@...> wrote:

Martin,

Thank you for the detailed response, 

I will do what you suggest and report back to the group. 

Thank you again,

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --

On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Martin Connelly <martin.at.leasingham@...> wrote:

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

Bertho

Martin,

I reinstalled Mach3 and I still can’t get anything to work.

I can move the axis and I can see movement on the DRO but the machine is not reacting at all.  

Currently in search of another computer with a parallel port to see if the problem is within my parallel port on my laptop.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --

On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Martin Connelly <martin.at.leasingham@...> wrote:

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

Bertho

Thanks for your input. 

I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves.  

I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help. 

So I’m at a  loss as to what is going on  

Chuck 

Bertho

-sent from my iphone --

On Jan 13, 2024, at 3:57 AM, Bertho <boman33@...> wrote:



I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.

Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:

Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?  The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.

If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.

If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.

If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.

Does the air/gas turn on off?

Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.

Good luck!

Bertho

 

From: MachCNC@groups.io <MachCNC@groups.io> On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: 13 January, 2024 5:46
To: MachCNC@groups.io
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.

 

Martin,

Thank you for the detailed response, 

 

I will do what you suggest and report back to the group. 

 

Thank you again,

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --

 

 

On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Martin Connelly <martin.at.leasingham@...> wrote:

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

-sent from my iphone --



As previously posted.  Look at the simple stuff.  If you have MACH3 running configure one of the outputs (if you haven’t already) as the Spindle ON/OFF output.  Then look at the diagnostic screen.  Here I’ve set up Outputs 1 and 2 for parallel port 16,17

 

 

Under relay control make sure the disable check box isn’t checked and set 1,2

 

 

Then in the diagnostic screen click on spindle toggle.  The red LED for output 1 should blink.

 

Now look at the physical pin for CW (M3 command) and see if it changes using  a voltmeter.   If it doesn’t there’s something wrong with your parallel port.  If it does follow the signal into your control box.  Etc.

John

 

 

From: MachCNC@groups.io [mailto:MachCNC@groups.io] On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: January 13, 2024 11:02 AM
To: MachCNC@groups.io
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.

 

Bertho

Thanks for your input. 

I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves.  

 

I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help. 

 

So I’m at a  loss as to what is going on  

 

Chuck 

 

 

 

 

 

Bertho

 

 

 

-sent from my iphone --

 

 

On Jan 13, 2024, at 3:57 AM, Bertho <boman33@...> wrote:



I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.

Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:

Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?  The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.

If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.

If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.

If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.

Does the air/gas turn on off?

Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.

Good luck!

Bertho

 

From: MachCNC@groups.io <MachCNC@groups.io> On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: 13 January, 2024 5:46
To: MachCNC@groups.io
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.

 

Martin,

Thank you for the detailed response, 

 

I will do what you suggest and report back to the group. 

 

Thank you again,

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --

 

 

On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Martin Connelly <martin.at.leasingham@...> wrote:

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

Attachments:

• image001.png
• image002.png
• image003.png

-sent from my iphone --



        Sometimes thrift stores are a source for old PC's

    animal

On 1/13/24 10:54 AM, Chuck Kahler wrote:

Martin,

I reinstalled Mach3 and I still can’t get anything to work.

I can move the axis and I can see movement on the DRO but the machine is not reacting at all.  

Currently in search of another computer with a parallel port to see if the problem is within my parallel port on my laptop.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --

On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Martin Connelly <martin.at.leasingham@...> wrote:

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C

-sent from my iphone --



  Try swapping the stepper motors to different axis's.

    animal

On 1/13/24 11:02 AM, Chuck Kahler wrote:

Bertho

Thanks for your input. 

I currently cannot get the machine to do anything. I can command the axis to move, but nothing happens even though the DRO moves.  

I have reinstalled Mach3 and tried a different, identical controller, it was a spare, and that didn’t help. 

So I’m at a  loss as to what is going on  

Chuck 

Bertho

-sent from my iphone --

On Jan 13, 2024, at 3:57 AM, Bertho <boman33@...> wrote:



I missed the beginning of the thread and it looks like you got many suggestions.

Before trying everything, try to isolate the problem:

Is Mach3 starting up and look normal? Can you load an old known good program and run it?  The X_Y_Z should be changing even if the hardware is dead.

If OK, look at that status LEDs. Turn air or coolant on and off. The LEDs should change.

If OK, check the matching pin on your printer port.

If OK, check the matching pin on your interface card if one is used.

Does the air/gas turn on off?

Check status LEDs for limit switches and test that they work.

Good luck!

Bertho

 

From: MachCNC@groups.io <MachCNC@groups.io> On Behalf Of Chuck Kahler
Sent: 13 January, 2024 5:46
To: MachCNC@groups.io
Subject: Re: [MachCNC] Mach3 mill stopped in the middle of a job.

 

Martin,

Thank you for the detailed response, 

 

I will do what you suggest and report back to the group. 

 

Thank you again,

Chuck

-sent from my iphone --

 

 

On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Martin Connelly <martin.at.leasingham@...> wrote:

There can be random errors introduced into hard disks files that some people attribute to cosmic rays. I know this sounds a bit conspiracy theory and though it is rare it does happen. Also hard disks do not last forever. So there is a possibility that one of your Mach3 files has been corrupted and so it may be worth renaming the current Mach3 folder something like oldmach3 and reinstalling Mach3 to see if that gets it to work again. If it does then it should be a case of copying over the configuration file, license file and part files and carrying on. If it does not work you can delete the new Mach3 folder and put the name of the oldmach3 folder back to Mach3. I personally keep a backup copy of my Mach3 folder on a separate machine and a USB stick just so I can replace it if I suspect the working one has been corrupted. If the parallel port is the fault then you may have to go down the route of either a USB port controller or a network port controller. I use laptops without issues having set them up to never shut down when external power is on, I think it was just a case of setting them up to act like a desktop.

Martin C