Eyewonder

Found it. Had to delete all of the NC32 files, & reload. Then single block worked as normal

Running WinXP , PMAC NC-32 v2.36(1) on PMAC1 Isa Universal LIte, with Adv600 4-switch control panel. All other functions seem to be working, but in both MDI & AUTO mode, all the codes execute, even though I have selected 'Single Block'. Both the toggle switch on the Adv600 panel, & the software control button on screen will change, indicating that it wants to be in single block, but programs & MDI both execute all lines of code. What did I set up wrong? Or NOT set up? Cheers, Steve

Well, found my checksum problem - I had left the E51 jumper on. Removed the jumper, power cycled the cpu, reloaded the plc's via PEWIN, then started NC-32 v2.36(1). No more checksum error problems, but .... I have forgotten how to bring the axes close loop, and then home the axes. Cheers

I'm bringing up a 3-axis system using a PMAC-PC Universal Lite ISA buss, with DPR on board. Software is v2.36(1), & the PROM version is 1.16G. PEWIN works with no problems, I'm able to download plc's & they appear to be working. When I start NC-32 I get messages saying: "PMAC Memory checksum is incorrect or not initialized" & "PMAC PROM checksum is incorrect or not initialized", along with axes not home referenced, amps not enabled, amps open loop. Do I have a hardware problem, or an operator (me) problem? Cheers

I'm using PMAC-NC32 v2.36(1), trying to use the 'Backup' registry button on bottom of the Motion.exe applet. It lets me enter the file name I wish to save to, acts like it completes, but it does not create the backup file - or I can't find it. How can I make that work? Or some other (simple) way to save all the Delta Tau registry settings. Cheers, Steve

I'm looking for an app note, or example of implementing open loop control of spindle for a bench-top wood router. The 4th axis is available for that use. The spindle is rated for ~20,000 RPM, but has no encoder, or tach. I believe the spindle drive gets low voltage (0-10?) for speed command from a pot on its drive cabinet. I would like to be able to issue an 'S1500' etc cmd for speed, and an M03/M04/M05 to turn it on & off. The card is PMAC Universal Lite w/DPR on board, using PMAC-NC32 v2.36(1), WinXP SP3. Cheers, Steve

Kaydon, After you changed the I-vars, did you do a 'SAVE'? I have not had any experience with a PMAC2, but some of the ISA PMACs have a battery, others have flash. If yours has a battery, that would certainly be something to check out. Cheers, Steve

DT, I would like to get the v1.16T firmware update for a PMAC Universal Lite w/DPR onboard (ISA Buss). Board #602402-106. Cheers, Steve

Good call. I checked a known good PMAC by looking at the connector status window, and verified all limit switches functioning. The PMAC-Lite showed ALL switches, ALL channels in open (activated) condition. Eventually found that A+15 was not getting to any of the MCT7 opto isolator chips. Turns out to have been a bad solder joint on one of the jumper pins (E89 - E90 path) that route the A+15 from the 60-pin connector to the MCT7 chips. Cheers, Steve

OK, got it. Cheers Steve

I have several PMAC (1) boards of various versions, and have been trying to verify that they can be used as backups. I have 2) PMAC Universal Lite w/DPR on board, a PMAC Lite needing Option 2 DRP board, and an PMAC-1 needing the Option 2 DRP. My base system uses the Universal Lite w/DPR onboard. The system works (not completely optimized, but usable), and I saved Global configuration. I am able to install the PMAC-1, the Option 2 DPR board, use the saved global configuration to load into the PMAC-1, and verify the expected normal operation. My PMAC-Lite, however, does not behave normally. The board is a 602402-101, Opt 5A, ver 1.16D. I have tried the E51 reset, $$$*** reset, load the global configuration & save. No obvious errors. With the above, I can not make any axis motion using 'View Jog Ribbon', auto tune, Oxx (output) command or any of the NC v2.36 operation control panel. Used 'View Position' to verify all encoder working correctly. With NC32 started, I can feel the X & Z axes holding position. If I remove the servo amp connector to one of the axis, move the axis with my hand, then reconnect the servo amp, the system will snap the axis back into position, as expected. So it looks like the servo loop is being closed correctly, but I can not get any new position commands to the system. Any ideas on things I have not tried? Cheers, Steve

I have a small lathe set up, and am able to to jog, home axes using Adv600 control panel, but do not fully understand how the MDI & buffer operate. I first home the X & Z axes. I enter 'S400 M03' (on separate lines) into the edit window, click the 'Write to Buffer' command button, then push the 'Cycle Start' button. Spindle rotates as expected. If I then enter 'Z1.5' (just some move to verify operation) into the edit window, as soon as I click the 'Write to Buffer' command button, it kills the spindle rotation. Pushing the 'Cycle Start' button causes the Z to move, as expected. Is this 'normal' operation for this software? BTW, this was using the v2.36 software, NOT the v2.36(1) 4 program changes. I enabled buffer logging and got these results: Cheers, Steve

I got the cards a few years ago, along with some other cards, on ebay. The system I am running is PMACNC-32 v2.36(1). When I run the Motion.exe, I double-checked, and the DPR address range includes 0D000. With my good DPR, this address is accepted, the PMAC is registered, and I can start PEWin. I did move the pin-grid-array DPR chip from bad board onto a good board, and the good board worked, the bad board with the previously running DPR chip did not. So unless there is something easy to check/repair, it looks like these are door-stops. Cheers, Steve

I bought two Option 2 Dual Port Ram cards as backups, but they do not seem to work. I tested them in a known working system using the Motion Applet to add the PMAC device. I set DPR address to 0D000 (as with the known working card) but the applet reports that it cannot find the PMAC. Both of the new cards do the same. Comparing these non-working cards to my working one I found a couple of things different. The part # for the good card was 602240-101, while the bad cards were both 602240-102. The good card has a serial number hand etched in the serial number block, and both of the bad cards were blank. Both of the bad cards had pins 41 & 42 (in the 50-pin header) physically missing. I was able to insert pins in positions 41 & 42 in both, but they still remain unusable. Ideas, anyone? Cheers, Steve

Never mind - I found the manuals buried in old file storage. Steve

I have an Advantage 500 (I think) 8-switch Operator Control Panel, part # 602601-101, and am needing the schematic, or manual to go with it so that I can properly set jumpers/DIP switches, power connections, etc. Thanks, Steve

Brian, The question concerning performance of a real machining center was one of curiosity, as there is a lot of mass to move around, compared to a small lab motor like was used in the text write-ups. My project is a small bench-top lathe, sold by Harbor Freight, Grizzly, etc. It has only a 7" swing over the ways, and 12" travel in the Z. Both axes are driven by PM brushed DC motors, driven by AMC 30A8 amps. And yes, those amps are over-kill, but they are what I had on hand. The Z is direct coupled to the ball-screw. Encoder is on motor end, 500 PPR, 4X decode in Ivar, with 5TPI pitch on ball-screw: 10,000 cts/inch. Last night when doing the parabolic tuning, I set the move size/speed to what now turns out to be probably twice as fast as any turning operation I would actually command. With that said, I was able to get the max FE on the move to around 10-12 cts. Then going into the NC32 program and using the hand-wheel to move Z, I was always getting a FE ('Position' screen on NC32) of .0015", unless I reversed direction, when FE would go to zero, due to backlash. Is this to be expected, on this 'hobby' type lathe? Or are there other areas I need to address? And I have yet to get a good balance of Motion Applet/I-var settings for max acceleration rates, time to S curve, etc. I either get wind-up when using the hand-wheel, motion after jog pb released, or hand-wheel 'cogs' aggressively if I set up to have motion stop when jog pb's released. Steve

Changed my mind on Op system - going with NT4.0, as XP w/SP3 was very slow. SERVO TUNING: Does 'PMAC Tuning Pro' work with my PMAC(1) non-turbo? And if so, is it available/better than using the tuning in PEWin? From my past experience, and reading manuals, I still have questions about the procedures, and optimum results. For a step move, setting the size & time seem not to be a problem, but the values for a parabolic move are less clear. I changed the move size to several shaft revolutions - is that good/bad/or just different? Changing the time for the parabolic move gives different max FE, with the same PID settings. Wasn't expecting that. Should I decrease the time (on the parabolic move) so that I am pushing the system ALMOST, but not quite to its limit? Or should I slightly increase the move time from that almost-at-its-limit value ? Some of the manuals on tuning show a finished parabolic move with FE down to 10 cts - is that realistic on a full-sized machining center? Just curious. If I were to be able to achieve that low FE during tuning, should the displayed FE (on NC32 'position' screen) be 0.0000 after a move? Or would I likely see some error? Thanks, Steve

I've decided to go with WinXP for my operating system (as opposed to NT 4.0, which doesn't allow Fat32, or USB), and will be doing initial servo tuning with the motors dis-mounted from the lathe. I still have to mount the spindle encoder, and get the gibs adjusted to eliminate (most of) the slop in the saddle & cross-slide. When I am comfortable with that, and all limit switches working, I will mount the motors and servo tune the fully assembled lathe. When that is done I'll need to decide which of the DT Operator Control Panels to use: I have both the style with 8) rotary switches, which I 'think' is called the Advantage 500, and one with 4) rotary switches, which I 'think' is an Advantage 600?? On my many-years-ago attempt, I tried using the 8) switch OCP, and had to modify the ncpanel.plc. I liked the functions available with the 8, but not if I cannot make the system work. Cheers, Steve

Steve, I have looked over the files, and have a question about there being 3 lathe.g files (lathe.g, latheB.g, & latheC.g). What is the difference between them, and what should I use for my very basic lathe application? Mike E sent me the 4) update files that included a read.me file, which was somewhat confusing. The way it is stated in the readme almost sounds like I am to modify the NEW lathe.g, then download it into my application. That doesn't make sense. So my presumption is that the lathe.g has already been modified, and I am to just replace my existing lathe.g with the new one? Cheers, Steve

Mike, On the subject of motherboards, do you have a method of checking the BIOS settings, to see if they meet the DMA criteria you mentioned? The mobo's I have were selected so that they would accept a full-length PMAC, without interfering with caps, headers, etc. I currently have available an AOpen AX6BC (recommended to me by a Delta Tau integrator in Florida), a Tekram S3AP-A, and an eMachines mb. For operating systems, I have Win95, Win95(SR1), Win98, Win98SE, WinXP home, WinXP Pro, or Win NT4.0 available. Recommendations are always welcome, and thanks for the help. Cheers, Steve

Brian, Thanks for the info. Where would I acquire a copy of NC v2.36(1)? Delta Tau still have them available? And how do I identify/verify that the software is in fact the 2.36(1), and not what I already have? And on that question, is it possible that I already have that version? Compile dates, version info buried in the exec, what? The PMACNC-32 disk in front of me says its an '07/13/00' version. Exploring the disk down to the PMACNC32\Release\Disk1 level shows most files with date of '20/04/2000'. ISA board computers are not a problem, plenty of spares available to me. And plenty of Windows software of various versions. This project will be using a 7x12 Mini-lathe. It will be a working, SMALL capacity lathe, but mostly a proof-of-concept, for my own personal satisfaction. As to PMAC experience, the original project was for personal use only, not a business venture, and I worked on/off for maybe 3 years. Yeah, sad to say I spent that much time & never completed it. Any way, at that time I was getting fairly deep into the control, and have kept all my notes from that era. So I am not starting out totally blind. Cheers Steve

Many years ago I 'almost' got a lathe project running, with a PMAC-1, using the NC v2.36 software, and an Advantage 500 (I think) panel, with the 8-switch control panel. Being stubborn, I am going to make another run at it. At the time, NC v2.36 was the choice - is that still appropriate for the PMAC 1? Or does DT have newer, more robust version that will work with the the control I have? Or, are there other 3-rd party vendors that have software? Comments on your past experiences with DT NC software, suggestion, etc are appreciated. Cheers, Steve