I’m livid with Warp9TD. They persuaded me to buy the Mach 4 license instead of the Mach 3, b/c it “has newer features and is easier to troubleshoot.” So, against my better judgement, I went ahead and bought the Mach 4 license (thinking that it would work with my setup). When I downloaded the licensed version of Mach 4, the motors didn’t work. I notified them (repeatedly) of the problem and haven’t received a response. I then, happened to stumble upon someone in another Mach3/Mach4 forum who had purchased a machine from http://cncrouterparts.com. Knowing that their setup is similar to mine, I asked which version of Mach he used. He said Mach 3. I asked him why he didn’t use Mach 4 because of its “newer features and ease of troubleshooting.” His reply, “because Mach 3 works better with this system.” I went to cncrouterparts’ website and low & behold, they suggest/offer Mach 3, not Mach 4 with their system. So now, I have a useless Mach license & machine, unless I either buy another BOB, or buy a Mach 3 license. Needless to say I was not happy with Warp9TD, and I believe I informed them.
Interesting.
What bob/drivers you using?
There must be a work around for it I would imagine. List your components
Pmdx-126 BOB and ESS, and mostly just tb6600 Drivers except for one DM542T. I haven’t gotten my gecko driver checked out yet. I just talked to cncrouterparts (albeit sales & support) and she says their system is indeed compatible with Mach 4, so maybe that saves Warp9TD some of my wrath. I HATE being a jerk to someone that sells me a product (especially a good one!). But, it seems sometimes it takes that in order to get their attention. I can understand being busy, and I can understand simply not knowing at that particular time, but just make an acknowledgement that you received my message and an assurance that someone/somewhere/sometime is checking into the issue and will get back to me. I can tell, Brandon, that you’ve learned, in business, you can avoid A LOT of customer headaches just by letting them know you heard them. That’s all most ppl want.
@Mark_Leino There must be a fix. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury to wait too long troubleshooting.
I’m getting the sense that it’s either a configuration issue or a computer issue. I just don’t think it would be related to the BOB. Besides, I think I’ve had the same issues with 3 different BOBs. I’m thankful that I have been able to move the motors with Mach 3, so that eliminates the probability that it was related to my motors, the drivers or mechanical issue with my machine.
It’s mystifying b/c I got all the LEDs on the bob to light up. And, eventually, I got the DROs on the screen to move, indicating that communication between the the motion controller and Mach appeared to be functioning, and I could tell the motors were energized, but no movement.
You can’t get all worked up over things. Cooler heads prevail. In order to solve problems you have to methodically gather information and digest it. The only way to peel back the veil of mystery is one detail at a time.
@Paul_Frederick true. Very true
Have a look onto https://warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/setting-up-the-smoothstepper-and-mach4
https://warp9td.com/index.php/gettingstarted/setting-up-the-smoothstepper-and-mach4
@George_Allen sometimes it takes quite awhile to figure these things out. After you have been looking at it for awhile sometimes just walk away for a day, and you still come back and immediately see the problem. Took me a couple nights to get uccnc and one of my machines figured out. Usually comes down to settings, drivers, or a misplaced wire. Or an incorrect voltage somewhere…
Man do I love Open-Source.
@Arthur_Wolf No one has issues with comms on open source products? Hmm. Sometimes just having things documented is not what a guy needs.
You’ll get it @George_Allen give you an idea I’m awaiting a response from the dude over at warp as well. Most these guys are not a full time store brother, not a ton of money in this stuff. Soon I may be able to assist with a little knowledge from a similar set up.
@Paul_Frederick words for a peaceful way of life.
@Brandon_Satterfield I find that it’s way easier/common to get help from user communities for Open-Source projects/products than for their counterpart, mostly because those communities tend to exist more in the first place, and be nicer overall.
@Arthur_Wolf fair enough statement.
@Brandon_Satterfield You are right. Maybe I just over reacted. Wouldn’t be the first time.
In general match 4 with old stile parallel bob is not good idea. If you already bought match 4 license better spend a little more and bay usb or ethernet controller with support for match 4. Match 3 is death end investment this days. Also match 4 with good controller i much better and trouble free solution than match 3 with old bobs that had so many problems with noise and computer compatability.
@George_Allen It could be the hot weather? I know heat can light my fuse. Technology can often get overwhelming though. When it does it usually helps to take a step back rather than lean into it more. It is like the old how do you eat an elephant joke. One bite at a time.
I think I may have gotten it to work. I just have to get my slave axis right