I’m trying to test my Maslow CNC and I’m struggling a bit, despite a few promising tests I encounter precision problems.
I recalibrated the machine, but ever since I did the Z axis is kind of broken.
After starting a cut, the drill retracts itself until it hits the stop and continues to retract until the security is engaged.
Ever since, the engine still works but is making a noise that worries me.
Moreover, the motors are failing the “motor/encoder test”, but they seem to be working properly.
I think this is where we should start. Until the tests are passing the motors might move, but they won’t know where they are which will lead to the behavior you are seeing where the z-axis runs into the top.
Prbbly You didn’t destroy motors I’ve done more stupid thinks to test them xD
Ok. Lets get to point.
Is it your first setup of maslow cnc?
In this setup there is possibility to swap motor direction and encoder direction.
To test that, run arudino IDE and start serial monitor. Open encoder case and rotate encoder by finger and watch the monitor. Is there any reaction?
Its safe test for motor encoder. Do photo of your encoder disc.
hah, Maslow got much simpler encoder. It’s connected to the end of motor shaft (on top of your motor). Prbbly round black cylinder. There You can find black magnet that rotates and board with hall sensors. This is your encoder. Rotate that magnet by finger while watching serial monitor on Arduino IDE.
Hello, I tried to test my motors just like you said. As soon as I open serial monitor, loads of text are appearing in a continuous way. Rotating the encoders don’t change anything. I added pictures of what I see on the screen.
So I tried the 57600 baud rate, and I got a more plausible read out of it. But I still have no result when I rotate the encoders. I joined the result I got.
Ok. Rotate other encoder… the one that works once
No changes mean there is no encoder connected
Swap cables on board and test if it work on other slot. This way you can conclude witch cable don’t work.
Okay so I managed to have a result with an encoder. I switched cables and the other encoder worked, but the first one didn’t work anymore. Would that mean that the problem is cable related ?
I struggle to understand why the motor that works doesn’t pass the test. Do you have an idea why that could be ?
I have quite an extreme idea, would cutting the plugs off the cables and soldering them directly on my motors and the board work ?
It’s possible the motor controller shield is damaged. The encoders, however, are basically wired straight through to the arduino so you should see encoder movement if you can move it by hand. Can you post a couple of good pictures of the motor controller shield (top and bottom… you’ll have to remove it from the arduino to get a bottom picture).
I don’t readily see anything fried… and since the heatsinks are still there, I assume the chips under them are still there (there’s a failure mode where the chips fall off the board).
I assume you have a multimeter since you checked out the cables. Can you hook everything back up and make sure you get +5V and continuity to ground on the three connectors on the motor controller… follow this schematic (the part in the top right):
Just that the ground pin on the connector has continuity to the ground on the board… that way you know its not a power issue.
I went back to re-read some of the posts…
No, its not normal. The motors should turn one direction for a second or two and then turn the opposite direction for a second or two. During the test, the software just runs the motors at full speed and it should be smooth.
At this point, I’d say hook everything back up and redo the test motors/encoders… Lets first try to get the motors to turn properly. It still could be a bad controller board, but we’ll see.
I’ve done more stupid thinks to test them xD
