No activity from Eurostep RS 232 - 1994 Triac PC Mill

[el$syd]

Hi,

I have been back and forth looking through the forum and finally got a 9 pin to 9 pin correctly wired RS232 cable as per a previous post.
The cable goes straight from the 9 pin RS232 on the PC to the Baldor Eurostep card.
An oscilloscope on the PC transmit shows signals from VR milling software when it is searching the COM ports for the Eurostep card - but the card does not respond.
Is it possible that the 75155 RS232 driver on the Baldor card is blown? Can this be repaired? Or is there something else that I should be investigating?

The card shows 0 for a second when switched on, which is what it should do - I believe.
And shows S because I have the umbilical to the mill disconnected.
The card shows 8 when the umbilical is connected and the emergency switch is disabled and still does not work.

Any help gratefully received.... many thanks.

[Martin]

What versions are the software & eprom?

[el$syd]

VR Milling Software is V2.31
Mint on Eurostep card is 3.28 V1.05 f/S

Thanks for your speedy reply to my question!

[Denford Admin]

ESMINT3.28 are for machines controlled by DOS software only.

Any EPROMs marked v2.0 v2.0 BETA and v2.1 are the newer firmware which will talk to the Windows control software.
These DOS to Windows (VR Milling 2) upgrade EPROMS may still be available at a reasonable cost - you will need to contact info (at] Denford.co.uk
(NB you will not get any official support though, for VR Milling 2 - just the forum)

I'd also say that there may be some hardware issues if the machine should be working from the DOS software, ie, it may not be a simple case of changing the EPROM

[Martin]

We can still supply the Version 2.1 Eprom that is used on the Denstep Card to support VRMilling version 2.31.

I belive the price is £25 + P & P.

You can pay using Paypal.

[el$syd]

Many thanks - I will try the DOS based FanucMD software and see what happens.

[el$syd]

Downloaded the FANUCMD for TRIAC PC and ran it with COM2 connected to the mill. COM1 in read me file says it should be connected to the tutor pad - but we do not have this - which stops the software from opening.
The RS232 is now sending and receiving so the eurostep card is talking, but only when the software is starting up.
We have tried the following DOS software
-FANUCMD - this appears to talk from PC to controller, and controller to PC but only on software startup (checked using oscilloscope), but the software fails to load giving error code error [50] MINT controller disconnected and error [128] software aborted. PC connected via COM2 as read me file says COM1 should be for tutor pad.
-FANUCM - this appears to work but it only talks one way from PC to controller, and we do not have a tutor pad so are having difficulty setting up a qwerty control. PC connected via COM 1.
-TRIAC - this appears to work but it only talks one way from PC to controller. PC connected via COM 1.

We think FANUCMD is the software we should be using, but it requires a tutor pad, is there any way of fooling it to think that a qwerty keyboard is the tutor pad? any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Martin]

You need to change the GO file FANUCMD.GO

from

DENFORD1.KBD 1
18.2 $2F8 3

to read...

QDENFORD.KBD 1
18.2 0

[el$syd]

We had read that post elsewhere and tried something like that but we may not have done it correctly, so we will try again.

Thanks again for your help.

[el$syd]

Just installed the MINT 2.1 EPROM - and I am still getting an error - however pins 2 and 3 on the RS232 cable as viewed on the oscilloscope show that VR milling is sending info to the card and that the card responds - only after this response does the error box "check that the power in the box is on etc...". The box is on and the RS232 is working as seen on the oscilloscope. Could this be another hardware issue that was mentioned in a previous reply? If so are there any further remedies? Or have I run out of options with VR milling?
Many thanks.

[Denford Admin]

Which machine have you selected in v2 milling? It should be Triac and not TriacNS ?
Also check what the control type is set to under Setup > Machine Parameters (denny) in the communication section.
it should be 0 or 5 and may have been altered by the software if the machine could not connect.

[el$syd]

Thanks for quick reply.
Having just looked at the settings, I can confirm that the machine is TRIAC (and not TRIACNS), and that the control type is set to 0 (zero) - (and not 5).
Sounds like I'm running out of options....

[Martin]

It may be worth trying to connect using MintMan that should be in the Denford VRMilling directory.

[el$syd]

Ran MINTMAN - it is talking to the card but I suspect they are not understanding... COM1 is being recognised when first powered on.

[Denford Admin]

What do you get back from the upload version bit in Mintman ?

Ref: instructions on setting it up:
Firstly - make sure any other Denford software is closed and disconnected from the machine
Then run the file: MintMan.EXE which is located in the VR Milling installation directory (C:\Program Files\Denford\ VRMilling)
Go to menu Setup -> Comm Port
Set the parameters to:
COM 1 (whichever machine is plugged into)
Baud: 19200
Parity: None
Data bits: 8
Stop bits: 2
Handshaking: none
Press OK
Press Upload Version button

[el$syd]

The card responded with "VerdenMINT V2.01b6/S/B19(c)Baldor(UK)Ltd 1988-2001"
Is this what should be expected?
This is the first message back from the card - I think the settings of 2 stop bits may have helped in getting the correct response Are these the settings I should set everything else to?
Once again - many thanks.

[el$syd]

Tried the new settings for the RS232 - and eventually the machine burst into life! Much to my surprise and amazement....
The y axis works fine and homes well as does the Z axis, the spindle will turn forward and backward and the spindle speed can be altered. However the X axis needs a little attention as it works intermittently, and does not want to home. The X axis rattles a lot when it unsuccessfully tries to move, does it need a good clean and lubrication from not being used for so long? When it decides to move, it moves OK... However whenever I have tried homing the X axis it has gone beyond the 50 seconds allowed.

Many thanks for your help so far - brilliant.

[Martin]

Have a look down in the rack in the electrical box. I think it may be worth pulling the Motion Control card & Custom card out & checking the ribbon cable that connects to both is fully seated. Also swap over the X & Y axis drives over towards the centre of the rack. If the fault then swaps to the Y you will know its the drive card but I presume it will be the 2 cards & the ribbon.

[Denford Admin]

It could also just be mechanically stalling the motor - especially if its been stood a long time with gunk or rust on the slides/screws.

[el$syd]

1. Removed the eurostep card and the custom card, removed the connecting cable and swapped it around to ensure that all connections are made - machine worked as before with no mechanical X axis, so no difference.
2. Swapped the X and Y axes cards over and the machine worked as before with no mechanical X axis, so the same as before.

Do you still think that it could be the ribbon cable connections?

The X axis stepper motor is engaging and turning when I Jog the axis (using the secret button to artificially home the mill) - but the ball screw does not want to engage and turn - only occasionally will it turn and move the x-axis. I always hear the stepper motor starting and stopping as I jog. It feels like the ball screw is prevented from engaging.
When homing all, the x-axis makes a dreadful din - jack hammer style.
I have loosened the gib screws on the left and right - whether loose or tight makes no difference.
The lubrication oil in the auto lub unit is rather dark, in the pictures I have seen - that oil is lighter and more transparent.

A couple of questions:
what does the custom card do?
Is it easy to look inside the case where the x-axis motor is located to check that the belts and pulleys are OK?