Denford Software & Machines

Hi,

I have just acquired a Novamill. Although this was originally dos based, the control box has been upgraded to usb, and should be capable of using the latest VR milling software. However, before I purchase this, I want to be certain that the mill is functional. As the dos software no longer works, is there any simple way to test the machine ? Ideally, I'd like to be able to jog all of the axis, and turn the spindle on/off.

Thanks,
Andy.

Hopefully you will get a copy of the VR Milling software with the machine otherwise it is something you would have to purchase

The only way to test the machine is to load the software on a PC and connect to it, home it up and then jog the axes and run the spindle.

Good Luck!!

You could install easyupgrader from the VR Milling 5 download:
https://www.website.denford.ltd.uk/suppo ... -downloads

Right click on the top ribbon, click card tests, enter tristar and you will have control of the Inputs/Outputs if the machine has connected ok.
To start the spindle, you could turn on output 0 (output 1 sets the spindle direction)

You won't be able to jog the machine from here, but if easyupgrader connects ok and runs the spindle then things are looking good...
(please be careful with easyupgrader - you could easily damage yourself or the machine)

OK, I shall try the easyupgrader software.

Thanks,
Andy.

OK, I've had some mixed success. Under win XP, the easyupgrader installed, but I could not use it, due to XP being unable to find the Baldor driver. Under vista, the baldor driver was automatically installed from the web, and easyupgrader reported the following:

Firmware 5331
FPGA 17
CPLD 4
Comms 3
Machine ID NovaMill
Serial No H07518/
Node 2

However, the easyupgrader then failed with this message:

Could not register class MintControls 5560.ocx

Can anyone help with this ?

The Baldor driver will not be found automatically on the Web.

Windows may find a driver but it will not work.

I suggest you uninstall all drivers on the USB then download the correct driver (which is on the VR Milling CD in the usb folder)

https://www.denfordata.com/downloads/baldorusb.zip

Plug in the USB cable then browse to find the correct driver.

While you are installing the driver it is worth plugging the USB cable into each USB port in turn and installing the driver on each one as at some time you are bound to unplug the machine and forget which port the driver is installed on.

However, the easyupgrader then failed with this message:
Could not register class MintControls 5560.ocx

This might be an oversight if you have already installed Easyupgrader, and no other Denford s/w.
Try install VR Milling v5 from the denford.co.uk downloads section and try again.

OK, thanks, I'll try these suggestions.

Andy.