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Axis Testing

INFORMATION: This test feature is available on MASSO G3 and MASSO Touch and is supported in all current software versions.

Introduction

This guide explains how to troubleshoot an axis that is not working and determine whether the axis output has been damaged.

It shows how to test the Step and Direction outputs using the built-in STEP and DIRECTION test functions.

Test Equipment

Digital multimeter

Testing Method

Each axis includes:

Test Step button
Test Dir button

Pressing the button toggles the Step output between High and Low.

Pressing the button toggles the Direction output between High and Low.

Testing Axis Step – Differential Output

Symptom: Axis does not move in either direction.

INFORMATION: For this document, any voltage between 3.6 V and 4.0 V is referred to as 4 V and is considered a valid test result. Test Procedure

Disconnect all Step and Direction wiring from the axis under test (remove the axis connector).
Open the axis page in the F1 screen.
Connect the multimeter:
- Positive lead to S+
- Negative lead to S-
Read the voltage — expected ~4 V.
Note the polarity.
Press the button.
Read the voltage again — expected ~4 V, with reversed polarity.

Each press of the Test Step button should maintain the voltage while reversing polarity.

If this occurs, the Step differential output is working correctly.

If not, proceed to Step Common Ground Output Testing.

Testing Axis Step – Common Ground Output

Symptom: Axis does not move in either direction.

Test S+

Disconnect all Step and Direction wiring.
Open the axis page in the F1 screen.
Connect:
• Multimeter negative lead to MASSO GND
• Multimeter positive lead to S+
Read the voltage — expected 0 V or 4 V.
Press the button.

• If the reading was 4 V, it should change to 0 V.

• If the reading was 0 V, it should change to 4 V.

Each press should toggle between 0 V and 4 V.

If it does not toggle, S+ is faulty. Continue testing S-.

Test S-

Repeat the same steps using S- instead of S+.

If the voltage toggles correctly, S- is functional.

If not, S- is faulty.

Testing Axis Direction – Differential Output

Symptom: Axis moves in one direction only.

INFORMATION: For this document, 3.6 V to 4.0 V is considered 4 V.

Test Procedure

Disconnect all Step and Direction wiring.
Open the axis page in the F1 screen.
Connect the multimeter:
• Positive lead to D+
• Negative lead to D-
Read the voltage — expected ~4 V.
Note the polarity.
Press the button.
Read the voltage again — expected ~4 V, with reversed polarity.

Each press should reverse polarity while maintaining voltage.

If this occurs, the Direction differential output is working correctly.

If not, proceed to Direction Common Ground Output Testing.

Testing Axis Direction – Common Ground Output

Symptom: Axis moves in one direction only.

Test D+

Disconnect all Step and Direction wiring.
Open the axis page in the F1 screen.
Connect:
• Multimeter negative lead to MASSO GND
• Multimeter positive lead to D+
Read the voltage — expected 0 V or 4 V.
Press the Test Dir button.

The voltage should toggle between 0 V and 4 V.

If it does not toggle, D+ is faulty. Continue testing D-.

Test D-

Repeat the same steps using D- instead of D+.

If the voltage toggles correctly, D- is functional.

If not, D- is faulty.

Interpreting Test Results

If all Step and Direction differential tests pass, the axis output is working correctly.
- Check axis configuration, motor, driver, or wiring.
If the Step differential test fails, but either S+ or S- passes the common ground test, the axis can still be used in common ground mode.
If the Direction differential test fails, but either D+ or D- passes the common ground test, the axis can still be used in common ground mode.

The common ground tests identify which outputs are functional and which are damaged.

Important

WARNING: If a damaged axis output is found, identify and correct the root cause before continuing operation. Failure to do so may result in further damage.

For assistance, please contact MASSO Support