[Capstone]

I've read dozens of threads and not one of the replies seems to cover what to me seems like a very basic answer.

What I have:

SW
SheetCAM (Licensed)
MACH3 (Locked Down and Fully Licensed)
HW
TB6560 (Blue PCB) 4 Axis Controller
24V 350W Pwer Supply(So far I have tested the voltage output and it's a solid 24 and ran it to the BOB which fires up with LED's all good and the fan running)

qty 4 270oz 4 Wire Nema 23 Stepper Motors.

I don't think I missed any relevant info needed, but please tell me...

But please don't bother replying if all you want to do is tell me to mess around with the BoB or how much of a piece of crap it is. All I need help with is a super simple layout of a 3 axis set up, with Y and A slaved to run either side of the gantry with MACH3 and a Parallel Port 25din into this set up TB6560 4 Axis.

If I can PLEASE just get a simple settings list to put in to MACH3 from the TB6560 (Blue) 4 Axis and just a little more help on a diagnostic program with MACH3 or the proper controls within the GUI to test the motors that would be GREAT!


P.S. I can do without twenty responses telling me to go to the "How I fixed my TB6560" thread because I am not an electrical engineer and have no intention on messing with the board. :argue:

So... How Do I simply go into Mach3 and set the Parallel Port Pins and then the Inputs and Outputs to the BoB and then run a TEST from within MACH3?!

[Capstone]

Okay... So I found this thread today and read it thoroghly, but I'm still stuck.

Mach3 Setup with TB6560

along with the attached PDF Manual Thanks dewislopez!!

I went through all of the steps, and input all the same data points and still have no motor movement.

In looking at the TB6560 Board, I have the 4 LED indicators, one for each controller chip being activated from the PC I think, but only the left 2 are on when the PC is on and both LED's for 5v and 24v come on with the power turned on. The other 2 on the right have never been on.

Could this be a problem with my Parallel port IRQ settings on the PORT#1?

I have LPT1 selected and it's the EPP Parallel Port, (I disabled the ECP on board port)

Can anyone think of any other settings I need to look at?

I really need to get this running.

I have yet to have even one motor do anything yet, in spite of having power going to all the right places and the cables correctly installed along with the settings. I'll try to get some pics uploaded here this weekend and maybe that will shed some light on it.

[ger21]

Have you watched the first video here?
ArtSoft USA - Video Tutorials

Make sure the port address is correct, or nothing will work.

Do the motors lock up when you turn the drive on? If they do, then my guess is either the wrong port address, or possibly a bad cable.
If they don't lock up, then either the board is bad, or something is wired wrong.

[Capstone]

Yes... a motor, the "X" locks up. I'll take a look at the video and let you know if I find an answer.

Thanks!

[Capstone]

so there are two different I/O Ranges under "resources" listed under my parallel port. Now What?

[ger21]

Try the first 4 digits of the first range.
If it doesn't work, try the first 4 of the second range.

[Capstone]

Thanks for the reply. I tried entering the first 4 chars in the I/0 Resource range and then from the second set of ranges. Nothing.

So because I'm using Win7 64bit Am I simply screwed? I've read in other threads this AM that Win7-64 simply won't work with Mach3 and that buying a whole new Win7-32bit is the only way to go. I'm a little unhappy with this.

[ger21]

Yes, Mach3 can't control the parallel port in 64bit Windows. You either need a 32bit OS, or a motion controller like a Smoothstepper.
You can usually find used PC's with XP that will work great for $50 or so on Ebay.

[Capstone]

Now that I've spent the $200 to buy Win7 32bit and blast the 64bit OS off the machine, the parallel port commo with the TB6560 and the MACH3 sw works just fine. I'm still just mocked up with the rails and motors, but the motors turned fine using the aforementioned set-up. Thanks for the assistance