Mach3^ Linistepper / SLAm Quick Start

So you've got your board's built, now you want to see your motors run! Here's a quick start guide to configuring Mach3 to run your linistepper boards.

1. After downloading Mach3, install and reboot your system.
    
2. Disable ESTOP unless you have added the associated switches.
   • Go to "Config...", "Ports & pins", scroll down to "estop", put a green checkmark in the box.
     This will disable your input for your estop,
      
3. Config Port Pins. Define X, Y and Z axis step and direction pins on the Parallel Port.
   • Go to "Config...", "Ports & pins". On the "Motor Outputs" tab,
     

     4 Axis Kit Version 4 up: Enable X axis w/green check in box Step pin enter 2 Dir pin enter 6 Step port and dir port are both 1 Enable Y axis w/green check in box Step pin enter 3 Dir pin enter 7 Step port and dir port are both 1 Enable Z axis w/green check in box Step pin enter 4 Dir pin enter 8 Step port and dir port are both 1

     4 Axis Kit Versions 1-3: Enable X axis w/green check in box Step pin enter 2 Dir pin enter 3 Step port and dir port are both 1 Enable Y axis w/green check in box Step pin enter 4 Dir pin enter 5 Step port and dir port are both 1 Enable Z axis w/green check in box Step pin enter 6 Dir pin enter 7 Step port and dir port are both 1

     Direct connect to Stepper Driver e.g. Linistepper, SLAm, THB6064AH Any configuration can be used as long as it matches the actual wiring of the parallel port signals to the driver. For example, if you wire D0 (pin 2) of the parallel port to the Step signal of the X axis just enter 2 as the step pin for X in the Mach 3 setup.   Draw a diagram of your wiring first showing which port pin goes to which axis and signal, then use that to fill out the motor outputs tab.

4. Enable the enable signals. Go to "Config...", "Ports & pins". On the "Output Signals" tab, enable the enable signals you configured in the previous step. (thanks Aarin!)
   
5. Setup motor tuning. Do this routine for each axis...Saving each one after you enter the data.
   • Go to "Config..."
   • "Motor tuning", "Steps per unit" (units of measure inches or mm's) I'm using 1/4 x 28 threaded rod so I need 5600 steps or pulses to the linistepper boards for 1 inch movement. 1/4 x 20 would be 4000. This is in full step mode. If you use different modes you will need to change this value. Also if you're using the 4 Axis board from the kit you will find that the board is set for half step mode... you will need to add switches or jumper the mode pins on the driver boards if you wish to change modes. (for initial test run double the values set for steps per unit)
   • "Velocity" was set to 5 for 5 inches per minute
   • "Acceleration" 6
   • "Step pulse" 4
   • "Pulse width for step and direction" I put mine on 5us, on 1 us it was skipping a pulse here and there.
     
6. Setup Hotkeys This is really cool! This makes it very easy to setup keys for motor jogging or testing
   • Go to "Config ....", "System hotkeys"
   • Check the axis to assign key to ie...x+,x- , y+,Y-, z=,z-
   • I set mine up with the numerical keypad:
     • 1 & 2 control the x axis
     • 5 & 2 control Y
     • 6 & 3 control z

Hope this quick start helps you configure your system! These setup directions are from hours of trial and error use at your own risk!

If you notice anything I missed or revision please email me  {ed: or use the form at the bottom of the page to add your comments} and we will update.

Mach 3 also has a Yahoo users group you can join.

Thanks and enjoy! Feel free to share this information with others.

Brian gerber N3GUC@yahoo.com

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