Kevon Ritter published a new build:

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Slow progress as I'm busy with life, but that won't stop me from keeping it clean. It might be a little hard to tell, but my control box is quite a bit smaller than Kyo's. The down side is that the button layout in the other picture actually does not work. There just isn't enough space. I will either have to bring them closer together or create a separate button panel.

One thing about the aviation plugs is that you can not separate them from your work piece once wired. To circumvent that inconvenience, I have each plug a short length of wire with a 2mm bullet at the end. The wiring is all black, but the heat shrink is color coded.

 

I still have to get power to the drivers. After this, I have to test to see if the Phoenix outputs 5v on the enable pin or if it's at a full 24v.

 

It's alive!!!

 

I'll hopefully be finished with the rest of the wiring today.

 

Thank you!

Just a Bosch Colt 1hp for now, but would like a 1.5kW as soon as the first few parts get made.

 

Will do. I'm still in the "hoping everything is correct" phase.

 

I'm using 16mm aviation plugs. You can get them in a few different mounting diameters. I believe the 16mm ranges from 2 to 12 pins. I'll get some better pics for you in my next update.

 

Everything has power now. Technically, the machine should be able to run, provided everything is hooked up correctly.

The steppers will only keep about 2" of their original wiring. I won't do any clipping until the chains are mounted.

The supporting parts for the cable chains are already designed. I just didn't have the time to cut them out. They will be made from 1/4" acrylic.

I also designed a stand, but more on that when the time comes.

 

The cable chain supports are completed which means that I can now start snipping x and z stepper wires.

I'm still fighting with the computer side. That isn't my strong point. Even though the CBeam guide says 200, 100 steps/mm seems to be the right number based off of short travel tests.

 

Thanks, that will come in handy later.

This is exactly what I got. But the search terms "aviation plug 4 pin" will give you what you need. I may get a 12 pin depending on how I choose to do my physical interface.

 

digital issues... I used to get an error on startup, but now everything seems to be starting normally. My settings are completed unavailable now though.

Phoenix Controller with DQ542MA Drivers, Windows 10 64bit, GRBL Panel, GRBL 1.1

 

After busting my brains on this thing, I've come to the conclusion that my X axis driver is the problem itself. The other three drivers are functioning correctly.

If anyone is curious to know how I troubleshot the system, here is what I did.
1) Did a crap ton of wire checking.
2) I started at the controller. I swapped inputs for different drivers. That told me that the X output does work correctly.
3) I checked the each enable pin at the controller, the power block, and the screw terminal for the driver.
4) I then checked the pull and direction for power and they all checked out fine.
5) The driver is receiving the full 24V like it should. This was check at the driver's screw terminal.
6) I then checked both stepper coils on the driver screw terminals. This is where it goes wrong. There is no voltage from either coil. When in motion, there should be a voltage as it is an active circuit. I made sure of this by checking with the other drivers. They did create a voltage in each coil.

That was a lot of time a work wasted... Unfortunately, I did not get them through the parts store. I just sent a message to the seller.

 

That is true. Always stay positive!

 

I'm not Kyo, but the 1/4" should be fine. All they will do is push the plates 0.35mm away from the rails. What matters more are the 9mm spacers as they dictate the distance between the wheel centers. That is important for the gantry.



And on another note. I've been asked the same questions multiple times. Then I get this response, "For another customer, he connect the PUL - and DIR - 4 PCS Drivers have one driver can't work, but he change the wiring way, all the drivers works." That sounds like utter nonsense to me. The seller has provided absolutely zero information during the repeat messages, but provides a vague solution with no reasoning. Maybe the "other customer" had a wiring issue the first time and didn't catch it.

 

As long as everything attached to the same plate is the same, you're fine.

 

The new driver arrived today and the machine is running. There are some weird issues on the computer side still though. The next step is to get it squared. A 7/8" (22.225mm) planer leaves maybe a .25mm ridge.