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Hi guys.
Just quickly. I recently somehow ruined the +-10v analogue output on my 7i97T.

I emailed Peter at Mesa and he was kind enough to send me schematics and provide a fair bit of trouble shooting advice.

I ended up buying a hot air station and the failed component (Chat GPT helped me with how to test each device) and now have a fully functioning board for about $30c worth of components (I'm not counting the smd related consumables and tools that i wanted anyway).

This was probably the single best interaction that I have ever had with a company - that type of support (and the support showing within the LCNC community in general) is absolutely priceless.

So: Thanks PCW, thanks Mesa, thanks everyone else, and if anyone ever wonders which route they should take when planning a build- I obviously recommend having a good look at their range of products.

 

The fact that the stepgen outputs work with  the test program
indicates that the hardware is likely OK.

The test program is this:

 

Which will slowly toggle all step/dir outputs on any Mesa Ethernet FPGA card.
You may need to edit the file to change the IP address or select a different rate.
The default rate is quite slow to allow a DVM settling time to read both low and
high voltage states.

Did you try jogging in either direction with LinuxCNC to see if the DIR state changes?

The hal/ini file you sent had quite short step times (1000 ns) so could be a reason
for no motion. (Starting step times should be at least double the drives minimum timing)

If nothing else works, Mesa can issue a RMA for analysis/repair/replacement of the card
but the symptoms are very odd and don't  look at all like typical hardware issues.


 

QtPlasmaC updates - Master (v2.10):

• fix dual-code button's optional indicator
• fix pmx485 0210 fault
• clean up error message formatting

Aircraft Instrument panels are larger than most knee mill tables.
Bridgeport Series II Interact have larger tables. Older Series II units have steppers.

0.1 uF 25V 0603

1. Encoders do not increment counters - hm2/hm2_7i95.0:     IO Pin 018 (TB1-01/TB1-09): Muxed Encoder #0, pin Muxed A (Input)
hm2/hm2_7i95.0:     IO Pin 019 (TB1-04/TB1-12): Muxed Encoder #0, pin Muxed B (Input)
I have tried all encoder inputs using a stepper motor with attached encoder in differential mode. See signals clearly at TB1

2. Steps in Axis UI show movements from jogging in registers but do not show up on output pins TB3 or TB4 . 
Tech at Mesa sent me a code snippet that did produce very slow signals at TB3 but the commands are not clear to me and I don't think they help debug.

From startup: 
Machine configuration directory is '/home/bill/linuxcnc/configs/7i95t_xyz'
Machine configuration file is '7i95t_xyz.ini'
Starting LinuxCNC...
linuxcnc TPMOD=tpmod HOMEMOD=homemod EMCMOT=motmod
Note: Using POSIX realtime
Found file(REL): ./main.hal
hm2: loading Mesa HostMot2 driver version 0.15
hm2_eth: loading Mesa AnyIO HostMot2 ethernet driver version 0.2
hm2_eth: 192.168.1.121: INFO: Hardware address (MAC): 00:60:1b:15:82:8b
hm2_eth: discovered 7I95T Thanks for any help. I don't want to pull my hair out, but is is getting close.... 
Bill Witt

Usually, Maho and Hurco are very good and easy to retrofit, personally i would go for Hurco BMC-20/30/40 depending on how big you need.
I am leaning towards Hurco as i did a 20 a while back, and it was very easy to use the toolchangers existing control board and wire it to Mesa, has no gearbox, and from my reading here takes much less overall effort/time.

Is it shorted?
If not, that is not the issue/problem/reason.

You are welcomed, always.

A short "yes, I'd use it", "no" or "G93 is fine" helps

G93 is fine for me


 

Hey,

Yes, you are right- When looking at the system, most parts are still available as "new" or refurbished. I got some prices for complete packages...But that's way too much, looking at the rest, that still is 30+ years old !

Indeed one Encoder of the X axis was broken and caused these random errors. Luckily I bought some spare motors, where I could take one encoder off.

Now I am just having a problem with the 4th axis, it's acting weired- so oscillating when moved. And then the Simodrive shuts off, based on the heavy back and forth movement. I will try to get a new or pretty good replacement board ( 6SC6100-0NA11) it's the board with the "Analog PID" potis.

Just hoping, that this will fix it.

Overall I am just happy with the machine, got a new mini pc, installed debian 13 and the current version and got er running in 2 days after almost 4 years .

Thanks guys!

 

Hello, please can you help me with value of capacitor C91 of board mesa 7I48?. Thanks.
 

I'm starting a search for an older CNC vertical/knee mill for my home shop and thought I'd introduce myself and ask for advice before buying something.

I'm currently looking at an older Wells-Index CNC mill, but I'm not committed to a particular machine yet.

My objective isn't to gut an old machine and replace everything. I would like to retain the original mechanical and electrical hardware where practical—including DC servos, feedback devices and possibly the servo drives/amps. The obsolete CNC control is another matter, it's a 70s vintage Bosch and going in the dumpster (or I might make it into a coffee table .  Thinking about LinuxCNC/Mesa.

Typical work will include aircraft instrument panels and other aluminum parts, but I also want a real mill capable of occasional work in steel.

I'm comfortable with electrical/electronic troubleshooting, software configuration, and I can spell Linux. My main concern is driving the old servo amps and are they serviceable and/or repairable.  I think the old brushed servo motors are OK. 

I'd appreciate advice from people who have restored or retrofitted older industrial CNC mills: What machines from this era are worth saving, and what should I inspect before buying?

Thanks in advance
 

Small update: the Archimedean spiral cycle (face spiral groove/thread) is now verified by a real cut on my lathe, not just an air run. Cut-tested so far: turning, facing, taper, sphere, threading, boring, chamfer/radius and the spiral.

I also wrote a few articles that may be useful even if you never use the program:

- Threading in LinuxCNC: G33 vs G76 - turngcode.com/en/blog/threading-in-linuxcnc-g33-g76/
- G7/G8: diameter or radius mode - turngcode.com/en/blog/g7-g8-diameter-or-radius-linuxcnc/
- Tapered threads on a CNC lathe - turngcode.com/en/blog/tapered-threads-on-cnc-lathe/
- Using the generated code on other controls - turngcode.com/en/blog/turn-gcode-on-different-cnc-controls/

Questions and bug reports are welcome here.

I have decided to try another computer my plasma.
I tried to update to 2.10 on my old setup, but somehow failed.
Since my linux skills are so bad, I decided I should have a linux expert at my side with my newest attempt.
Problem is, I don't have the words to explain to them what exactly I need help with, so I'm asking for help I what directions I should give them.
First off, since it's a fresh install, am I better off installing linuxcnc 2.9.8 and then updating to 2.10, or just start with 2.10?
I assume I use the linuxcnc github to source the correct files?
Basically, what should I tell someone familiar with linux, but not linuxcnc, to get them started on the right path to helping me get linuxcnc 2.10?

In case your curious, I want to use 2.10 for some of the plasmac updates and so I can use pnccomf for my 7i97t.

Thanks in advance, I know there is a lot of information on how to do this on this forum, but when I tried, lunuxcnc would still open to the previous version. Hopefully with a little help, I'll get it this time.