Do not power on the machine yet. Turn the knob on the back of each stepper motor. They should be turned easily and the respective axis should move as these are turned.
Turn the “POWER” switch on the machine on. The motors should be self locked now. Once again try to turn the knob on each stepper. This should be much harder to turn now and not easily moved.
This means that the steppers are connected to the controller and are able to be controlled.
Ensure the USB cable is connected to the computer and the controller. Run Mach3. If the “RESET” button is flashing, click this button to allow Mach3 to control the OMIO.
The arrow keys should now be able to move the machine. Be careful moving the machine at this point. There are still some checks to be done.
X-/X+ controlled by Left/Right Arrow
Y-/Y+ controlled by Down/Up Arrow
Z-/Z+ controlled by Page Down/Page Up
Pressing the tab key on the keyboard will bring up the manual jog controls in Mach3. Jog the machine using this option as well to ensure everything is moving as expected.
If the machine is not jogging in the direction that is expected, this can be changed in the setting of Mach3.
Go to Config -> Ports and Pins -> Motor Outputs. Look at the column “Dir LowActive” to change the direction of an axis. Click the check mark or X to change the direction. The mark should flip between the two options.
This will be a general test for the machine to ensure that everything is connected correctly. Please ensure that the computer, control box, and OMIO are all connected.
Before continuing to operate the machine, verify that the limit switches are registering in the control software. This needs to be done so that when the machine homes or reaches the end of travel, the machine does not over travel and damage itself.
This is easiest to do with two people. One person will press the limit switches on the machine and the other will check Mach3 to see if they registered.
Go to the “Diagnostics” page in Mach3 by clicking on the button or pressing “Alt-7”. Press the limit switch on the machine and the corresponding light should change in Mach3.
X Limit Switch = M1Home
Y Limit Switch = M2Home
Z Limit Switch = M3Home
Go back to the “Program Run” page. Click the “REF ALL HOME” button next to the DRO in the middle of the screen. The machine will home itself now.
Verify that the probe is functioning properly and is connect to the machine buy checking the digitize port on the diagnostics page.
Plug the probe into the probe port on the front of the controller. Touch the clamp on the probe to the probe pad. The digitize light should turn on and then turn off when no longer touching the pad.
Be sure to have the water pump connected to the machine and the bucket filled.
Turn on the pump and the water should begin to circulate through the spindle. Check for any leaks and tighten fittings as needed. Water should be flowing back into the bucket from the return water line
Turn the “VFD” switch on
Before turning the spindle on either remove the collet and collet nut or insert an end mill and tighten the collet. DO NOT tighten an empty collet or turn the spindle on with a loose collet.
Go to the “MDI” page. In the input box type “M03 S5000” and press enter. This will turn the spindle on to 5000 RPMs. Next type in “S12000” and press enter. The spindle speed should increase. Type in “M05” and press enter. This will stop the spindle.
