Re:Dahlgren Engraver Z axis air actuation

I like this idea, seems clever and workable... but I am not sure where to start since my knowledge of electronics is limited.

~*Brian

here is my progress...
instead of trying to use the z-stepper output I hooked up C15 dual relay board from cnc4pc
using a breakout board.
pin 17 is relay for z-air solenoid
pin 14 is relay for turning on router motor

how do I turn on signal from EMC?
what gcode should I use?

~*Brian VanDiepenbos

You could use the Z axis direction pin. Z down could be on Z up could be off.

So

G0 Z-0.5 ; on
G0 Z0.0 off

John

thanks John, I just tried it and it works turning a test LED on/off that I hooked to z direction pin 7.
But that same signal will not energized relay board??
could it be the signal is not enough power to trigger relay?

~*Brian VanDiepenbos

What are using for a power supply to the C15?
Are the LEDs on the board working?
It could be that the output of your parallel port is too weak, in which case a breakout board that boost the signal is in order or add a second parallel port with a higher output.

Rick G

hello Rick,
I am using wall-wart power supply. yes LED is lit.
You are right, I boosted signal to 5v with a powered breakout board, now it works.
Parallel port output measures 2.98v
it works!.... z-.1 =tool down, z0 =tool up
thanks guys.

now that my z-air up/down works I need to get relay #2 to turn on my router.
I am using pin 14

how should I activate it from g-code?

~*Brian VanDiepenbos

You might want to put something in your hal to enable disable the output until you know the output direction is correct. You could put a PyVCP checkbox that enables the output after say you jog up or even better us motion to enable it with your first line a Z up. Play with it for a while to make sure you don't get some unexpected results.

John

Well I just had one of those duh moments. Use the spindle output and use S1 M3 for on and M5 for off.

John

ok, that sounds simpler.
what should I select in step config wizard for my pin 14 to work with M3?

thanks
~*Brian VanDiepenbos