One step at a time

More
14 Nov 2020 05:03 #189296 by txtrone
One step at a time was created by txtrone
I am trying to get four stepper motors to work using a 7I76E and G540. These will be XYZ for a plasma table. Any help or guides would be much appreciated.

Attached is the spec sheet for the motors.
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 09:58 #189313 by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic One step at a time
There should be a firmware for 5i25/ 7i76 that has BOB on one of the headers, but not sure there is for 7i76E, so check the downloaded zip file from Mesanet.com.
Or wire manualy 7i76e outputs to a DB25 connector, so no firmware flashing required.
The following user(s) said Thank You: txtrone

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 15:54 #189342 by PCW
Replied by PCW on topic One step at a time
There is no standard 7I76E --> G540 configuration but I can make one

Its a bit odd because you would normally use a 7I76E with individual drives

If I made a configuration, would you want the first 4 stepgens on the G540?
The following user(s) said Thank You: txtrone

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 18:06 #189355 by txtrone
Replied by txtrone on topic One step at a time

If I made a configuration, would you want the first 4 stepgens on the G540?


Yikes, I don't know enough to answer that question. I appreciate you taking the time to help out.

I would trust your expertise in where to put the stepgens.

Do you think this configuration is going to complicate things for a noobie like myself, should I instead purchase driver boards that will work more seamlessly with the 7I76E?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 18:40 #189360 by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic One step at a time
Since you own a G540 i would like to assume you also own a DB25 cable that goes from it to the PC, soooo cut that cable, find what wire goes where on the G540 and bolt it down to where it belongs on the 7i76E.
The following user(s) said Thank You: txtrone

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 18:50 #189365 by txtrone
Replied by txtrone on topic One step at a time
That I can do.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 22:56 #189399 by txtrone
Replied by txtrone on topic One step at a time
The once that is done will I still need a custom configuration to operate it?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 23:12 #189406 by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic One step at a time
If you go the "cut the cord" route, you just do a normal config using pncconf and you're done. No flashing required.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
14 Nov 2020 23:49 - 14 Nov 2020 23:50 #189407 by txtrone
Replied by txtrone on topic One step at a time
Ah. Is there be a benefit of using one method over the other?

If not, then "cut the cord" it is.

Would the custom config, that PCW offered to make, be accomplishing the same thing by somehow communicating through another means between the PC, 7I76E, and G540?

EDIT: typo
Last edit: 14 Nov 2020 23:50 by txtrone.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
15 Nov 2020 00:16 #189409 by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic One step at a time
The other option needs
-new firmware (=bothering PCW)
-flashing that firmware
- a 26 pin header to DB25 cable, chance are you have to order that and wait for it
- before all that, decide where should the first 4 stepgens be and let PCW know about it, more info
stepgens or step generators are hard wired on Mesa boards so when LinuxCNC loads say 3 stepgens those will always be stepgen 0, stepgen 1, and stepgen 2. Also those stepgens will be connected to output pins that can not be changed .
Now in your case you already have 5 stepgens on 5 pairs of pins on the 7i76E terminals, so with new firmware it can be set to have 4 more stepgens on one of the 26 pin headers ( or more on the other header ), so if the new 4 stepgens are AFTER the 5 existing ones, it would need to have 9 stepgens loaded in hal and set to use stepgens 5,6,7,8 also in hal.
Or it can be set to have the 4 stepgens on the header as 0,1,2,3 and the existing ones on the board as 4,5,6,7,8.
Suddenly sacrificing a DB25 cable seems easier. :)
The following user(s) said Thank You: txtrone

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: PCWjmelson
Time to create page: 0.373 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum