Snuggly's Plasma Build

I changed the values you suggested and my z axis still isn't working. I'll have to run some tests to verify the driver isn't damaged (just came out of the box, so not likely). If this is a common problem perhaps you have more information or avenues for me to explore so I can remedy this issue quickly.

Here's my current .INI, just in case I misunderstood your instructions.

Also, if you have an idea of how to use a DVR8825/A4988 chip with the mesa board I'd genuinely like to know how that would be wired up, I tried a couple methods with a GRBL arduino shield to no avail.

Your step times are still short for unknown hardware. We really need to see your .hal files as well to know if you have your signals connected to the right pins. What 7i96 connector and pin numbers are the drive signals connected to?

John

Okay, I'll grab those real quick.

Okay, here it is.

Ok

A quick look and didn't find any glaring problem so that leaves the external wiring to the stepper driver as the main culprit. First you need to confirm that the Z signals are actually there. To do this you can either use Halscope or connect one of your working axis drivers temporally to the Z axis output on the 7i96 card. The inverse is also good in that you connect the Z axis driver to a working axis. In your configuration use the Y axis for testing.

You have a dual drive gantry system, is there any reason you are not using synchronized homing on your X axis?

linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/config/ini-homing.html

John

I was planning on swapping over the drivers to check operation, pretty fast and easy.

I swapped the homing sequence 2 for -1 to keep rodw happy. Haven't had any problems with the homing sequence so far, other than the driver not working on my Z axis.

snugglylovemuffin wrote:

I was planning on swapping over the drivers to check operation, pretty fast and easy.

I swapped the homing sequence 2 for -1 to keep rodw happy. Haven't had any problems with the homing sequence so far, other than the driver not working on my Z axis.

Its more a case of keeping LinuxCNC happy.

As John says, I'd swap the Z axis stepper wiring at the controller onto a known good stepper controller on another axis. If the Z does not move, you have a wiring fault.

Does the Z axis actually lock solid when powered up? It should

good question, I didn't check to see if the stepper was had any holding torque. I have a second DM860A if this one is dead, which would be unfortunate, but ordering a new DM560A will take at least a week. I'm interested to know if it's possible, or how to wire up a DRV8825/A4988 through an Arduino GRBL shield.

Z axis is working!

I've started the preliminary wiring to integrate the THC. I'm admittedly pretty clueless on this front so here's my files so far. I'll need to change up my homing sequence again, that's no big deal.

LET'S GET THIS GIRL RUNNING! (very excited )

First error, I pray of few, is:

iptables: no chain/target/match by that name.
./THC_vcp.hal:4: Pin 'pyvcp.Scale-CHLThreshold-f'does not exist 1208

snugglylovemuffin wrote:

./THC_vcp.hal:4: Pin 'pyvcp.Scale-CHLThreshold-f' does not exist 1208

I would check in halshow what pyvcp pins do exist, it may be just a typo. If so just edit the hal file