Re:Dahlgren Engraver Z axis air actuation

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24 Feb 2011 00:53 #7419 by bvandiepenbos
Hello,
I got a old Dahlgren for cheap. The EMC conversion of the old Dahlgren mechanical engraver is going pretty well. I Built the HobbyPro board for driver. Got it all wired to old machine. EMC is driving the XY movement nicely. However I am stuck on how to activate the 'Z' axis... it has a air cylinder that moves tool up/down with a 24v solenoid to control air flow.So basically it is like a plotter "pen up/pen down". Any thoughts on how to use z stepper signals to activate a 5v relay that opens 24v air solenoid??
Thanks.
~*Brian VanDiepenbos

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24 Feb 2011 12:09 #7429 by Rick G
Perhaps use the Z direction signal to activate a relay.
On the par port it will goes +5 to 0 depending on the direction.

Rick G

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24 Feb 2011 14:27 #7433 by BigJohnT
Or look at M62 and M100. Just depends on how you are writing the G code.

I do like Rick's idea better than mine. Just set up the Z as a stepper axis with no feedback and make your Z moves long enough to give you enough time for the Z to move up and down and that should work.

John

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25 Feb 2011 02:34 #7440 by bvandiepenbos
Thanks! that should work quite simply.
I already have the 5v relay and a 24v supply to solenoid.
great idea.
I will try and let you all know how it works.
~*Brian

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25 Feb 2011 02:35 #7441 by bvandiepenbos
John,
thanks for your input.
I am gping to try Rick's idea.
~*Brian

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25 Feb 2011 10:05 #7446 by Rick G
I assume you have a relay on your breakout board to control the external relay, as the par port output is limited.

Rick G

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25 Feb 2011 19:12 #7457 by bvandiepenbos
I do not have a breakout board. The parallel cable goes straight from PC to driver board.
I am using the HobbyCNC EZ Driver kit.
www.hobbycnc.com/products/hobbycnc-ez-driver-board-kit/

I do have a working stepper motor on z-axis, what I would like to do is hook up solenoid trigger for z-air actuation there instead of stepper motor.
Eventually I plan on motorizing z-axis, but for know I just want to use what is already there on engraver (air z tool up/down)

~*Brian

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25 Feb 2011 20:17 #7458 by BigJohnT
Looks like your driver board does not use all of the pins from the parallel port. You could break out one that is not used and with a small opto circuit that could pull in your 24v relay. Another option if you have a spare pci slot is to just plug in another parallel port for $10 and have several more I/O available to use. In any case you still need the electronics to bridge the gap between the parallel port and your relay. I'm not good with that so perhaps someone else can show you a simple circuit for that or some google searching might find what you can do with some Radio Shack parts to get it going.

John

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25 Feb 2011 23:09 #7463 by bvandiepenbos
Hello John.
I am not experienced in the electronics hookup either.
Seems to me I could just hook the 5v signal from PP pin directly to my relay??

Anybody else out there can help me with a circuit???

~*Brian

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26 Feb 2011 00:09 #7464 by Rick G
par port will probably not be able to drive relay.
I will send suggestion in am

Rick G

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