|
||
|
Quote:
could you mail me directly to gmfc@gmfcsoft.com ? Gilles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
I thought I'd make the jump to USB when my last cutter computer showed signs of dying. It's not an easy transition
After a note or two from Dan Field here's my current setup: HobbyCNC 4AUPCWHC (I've cut hundreds of cores with this board using a parallel interface) GGC v2 Win7 With the GGC board connected to the computer I can communicate with it using the GGC utility so long as the CNC board is *not* connected. All default settings (default pinout matches the CNC board pinout), MM2001 mode. When I plug it into the CNC board (using a parallel cable or direct connect, symptoms are the same) and power up the CNC board the motors lock and whine. If I don't do anything else the GGC utility returns a status (is there a status decoder out there?), but if I do anything else in the utility (motors on/off, cut forward, cut reverse) the utility locks up. If I force-quit the utility it will not relaunch unless I restart the computer. If I start the computer with the CNC board connected to the GGC board the GGC board driver will not load. Incidentally, if I power up the CNC board while connnected to the GGC board (and via USB to the computer) the motors whine even if the computer is powered off. I thought this might indicate a ground problem but that doesn't seem to be the case. Note: There's nothing else connected to the GGC board (switches, LEDs, displays, etc.). Anyone got any suggestions/comments/bright ideas? If this doesn't work I'm going shopping for a parallel port board. Nauga, live and uncut |
|
Last edited by nauga; Oct 02, 2012 at 08:56 AM.
Reason: fixed part no.
|
|
||
|
Hi Nauga,
There is a bug in the GCC utility that prevents movements with the GGC V2. So don't use the utility for testing movements. Just start GMFC, and activate the USB mode in the table configuration file. Then exit GMFC and restart it. GMFC now uses the GCC for the movements. The evaluation period should work, then you should buy the USB addon from me. Gilles Quote:
|
|
|
||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Quote:
Computer is off. Connect GGC board to computer through USB port. Startup computer Start the GGC utility, confirm the default values are set. Using MM2001 mode, Pinout matches my HobbyCNC board. Timer windows are greyed out. Shut down computer. Start the computer from full power-down Start GMFC Pro (USB interface under table config selected earlier) Plug GGC board directly into HobbyCNC board (have also tried a cable) Power up CNC board (motors start humming and whining, very different from when it was connected though a parallel port). Select "Table Configuration" in GMFC GMFC displays an error dialog: "WriteFile: A device attached to the system is not functioning". Click "OK" in error dialog, dialog closes Select *any other* menu item in GMFC and the program locks up requiring a force quit. GMFC will not relaunch unless computer is completely shut down and rebooted. Any suggestions, other than getting a parallel port card? Nauga, who has wings he needs to cut |
||
|
Last edited by nauga; Sep 28, 2012 at 07:17 PM.
Reason: added MM2001 mode detail
|
||
|
||
|
I am sorry. This bug has been a low priority since the trial period works now with GMFC. I will correct it since it's confusing.
Quote:
connect the GGC to the USB. (you can let it connected). Don't power the hobbycnc board at this time. Start GMFC, go to the table configuration and select usb. Exit GMFC and restart it. It should now display the code for the USB license. Gilles |
|
|
||
|
||
|
Quote:
I appreciate your help, I hope we can work this out. Nauga dusting off his Feathercut |
|
|
||
|
||
|
Quote:
Do the motor motors start humming and whining? If so, exit GMFC and power off the motor interface. Run again the ggc_utility program. set the MMUSB mode, set the MM2001 pinout and then click on the program button. Exit the GGC utility and run again GMFC. Gilles |
|
|
||
|
|||
|
Quote:
I went through the remainng steps anyway. Quote:
the interface section under GMFC/Table Configuration shows: GGC 2.40 Timer value: 100 uS GMFC/Timer Visualization shows Current Value: 100 uS Internal USB Timer: 100 uS (The timer value when the board was connected and working through the parallel port was 245 uS) Now I power up the CNC board... The motors are still quiet. Select GMFC/Table Configuration The error dialog "GMFC WriteFile: A device attached to the system is not functioning." I close the error dialog and power off the CNC board. Now if I click on *anything* in the GMFC menu bar the program locks up. I can force quit using the task manager but neither GMFC nor the GGC utility will start again unless I reboot the computer. It's as if powering up the CNC board crashes the GGC driver, but I can't find any driver details or even a current driver to tell if that's the problem. Nauga, who needs drivers ed. |
||
|
|||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Too me, it looks like you are using a too old version of GMFC which is not compatible with the GGC V2. Gilles |
|||
|
||||
|
|||
|
GMFC PRO V3.89.16 - 7/5/2012
Quote:
If I power off the CNC board *and* the GGC board then reconnect only the GGC then GMFC loads normally...but that doesn't get me any closed to moving the motors since powering up the CNC board crashes the GGC. Quote:
Nauga, and the energizer bunny |
||
|
|||
|
||
|
So you run the latest version, the problem is not in GMFC.
Quote:
Could you do some tests without powering on the motor interface? go to the zero dialog and try moving the motors or testing the heat. Since the motor interface is not powered, the motor will not move, but the GGC still execute the commands. Thanks, Gilles |
|
|
||
|
||
|
Quote:
Moving the motors appears to function (blue "Cutting" appears). Motor interface power ON: selecting either Heat test or "GO" for motor movement causes GMFC to lock up and do a force-close. Nauga who hopes he's getting somewhere |
|
|
||
|
||
|
Quote:
Moving the motors appears to function (blue "Cutting" appears). I can do this multiple times without restarting. ...until I power up the interface... Motor interface power ON: selecting either Heat test or "GO" for motor movement causes GMFC to lock up and do a force-close. Nauga who hopes he's getting somewhere |
|
|
||
|
||
|
Quote:
The problem is not located in software or the GGC since you can make it do things without crashes. Turning on the motor interface crashes the GGC. That's why the GGC is not responding anymore and windows tells you that the device does not function properly. My guess is that there is a problem with one signal at the hardware level on the parallel port which is connected to 0V instead of 5V (or the inverse). The power of the GGC is in short circuit which cause it to stop functioning. I suggest that you disconnect the motor interface from the GGC and that you check with a voltmeter what's going on on all pins when you turn on the motor interface. One solution could be that you make a simple ad-hoc cable with only the dir/step signals in a first step and then the heat signals. Gilles |
|
|
||
|
||
|
Quote:
..and if anyone who knows my full-scale airplane-wiring woes is reading this, at least I had the right crimper and lots of D-sub pins on hand. Nauga, crossing his fingers and shufflin' his feet |
|
|
||
Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads | |||||
Category | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
CNC software for foam cutting | KAMarks | The Builders Workshop | 1 | Sep 25, 2020 08:04 AM | |
Discussion | Foam works foam cutting software issue | airmcn_3 | The Builders Workshop | 6 | Sep 03, 2017 09:38 PM |
Discussion | CNC Foam Cutting problem with GMFC | wimmeke | CAD/CAM | 0 | Jan 14, 2010 01:24 PM |
foam cutting software | Dinah | Electric Power Systems | 0 | Mar 19, 2002 11:08 PM | |
Foam cutting CNC software | foam_man | Foamies (Kits) | 10 | Sep 08, 2001 08:50 AM |