Introduction

This guide outlines the procedure for troubleshooting an axis that is not working to determine if the axis output has been damaged.

It shows how to test the Step and Direction outputs of an axis using the built in STEP and DIRECTION test function.

Test Equipment

• Multi-meter

Testing Method

Each axis has a Test Step and Test Dir button

Pressing the button will toggle the Step output from High to Low or from Low to High

Pressing the button will toggle the Direction output from High to Low or from Low to High

Testing Axis Step Differential Output

Symptom of a faulty Step output is the axis will not move in either direction.

INFORMATION: For the purposes of this testing document a voltage between 3.6v and 4v is referred to a 4 volts and is considered a good test.

• Disconnect all wires from the step and direction of the axis you want to test. This can be done by removing the Axis connector.
• Open the page of the Axis you want to test in the F1 Screen
• Connect your Multi-meter to the S+ & S- of the axis under test. Put the Multi-meter positive lead on the S+ and the negative lead on the S-.
• Read the voltage and you should see 4 volts
• Note the polarity of the measured voltage.
• Press the button.
• Read the voltage and you should see between 4 volts
• The polarity of the measured voltage should be now be reversed to the original reading.

Each time you press the button the voltage reading of 4 volts should remain but polarity will reverse.

This is a good test and the differential output is working correctly.

If the differential output is not working correctly please follow the instructions below for the Common Ground Output test.

This will determine the extent of the axis damage.

Testing Axis Step Common Ground Output

Symptom of a faulty Step output is the axis will not move in either direction.

• Disconnect all wires from the step and direction of the axis you want to test. This can be done by removing the Axis connector.
• Open the page of the Axis you want to test in the F1 Screen
• Connect your Multi-meter Negative lead to MASSO GND
• Connect the Meter Positive lead to The Axis S+ and you will see either 4 volts or 0 volts.
• Press the button.
• If you saw 4 Volts on the S+ you will now see 0v
• If you saw 0 volts on the S+ you you will see 4 volts

Each time you press the button the voltage will toggle between 0 and 4 volts This is a good test result.

If you do not see the voltage toggle between 0 & 4 volts each time you press the button you have a damaged S+ output, continue to test S-

• Connect the Meter Positive lead to The Axis S- and you will see either 4 volts or 0 volts.
• Press the button.
• If you saw 4 Volts on the S- you will now see 0v
• If you saw 0 volts on the S- you you will see 4 volts

Each time you press the button the voltage will toggle between 0 and 4 volts This is a good test result.

If you do not see the voltage toggle between 0 & 4 volts each time you press the button you have a damaged S- output

Testing Axis Direction Differential Output

Symptom of a faulty direction output is the axis travels in one direction only.

INFORMATION: For the purposes of this testing document a voltage between 3.6v and 4v is referred to a 4 volts and is considered a good test.

• Disconnect all wires from the step and direction of the axis you want to test. This can be done by removing the Axis connector.
• Open the page of the Axis you want to test in the F1 Screen
• Connect your Multi-meter to the D+ & D- of the axis under test. Put the Multi-meter positive lead on the D+ and the negative lead on the D-.
• Read the voltage and you should see 4 volts
• Note the polarity of the measured voltage.
• Press the button.
• Read the voltage and you should see between 4 volts
• The polarity of the measured voltage should be now be reversed to the original reading.

Each time you press the button the voltage reading of 4 volts should remain but polarity will reverse.

This is a good test and the differential output is working correctly.

If the differential output is not working correctly please follow the instructions below for the Common Ground Output testing

This will determine the extent of the axis damage.

Testing Axis Direction Common Ground Output

Symptom of a faulty direction output is the axis travels in one direction only.

• Disconnect all wires from the step and direction of the axis you want to test. This can be done by removing the Axis connector.
• Open the page of the Axis you want to test in the F1 Screen
• Connect your Multi-meter Negative lead to MASSO GND
• Connect the Meter Positive lead to The Axis D+ and you will see either 4 volts or 0 volts.
• Press the button.
• If you saw 4 Volts on the D+ you will now see 0v
• If you saw 0 volts on the D+ you you will see 4 volts

Each time you press the button the voltage will toggle between 0 and 4 volts. This is a good test result. Repeat for the D-

If you do not see the voltage toggle between 0 & 4 volts each time you press the button you have a damaged D+ output, continue to test D-

• Connect the Meter Positive lead to The Axis D- and you will see either 4 volts or 0 volts.
• Press the button.
• If you saw 4 Volts on the D- you will now see 0v
• If you saw 0 volts on the D- you you will see 4 volts

Each time you press the button the voltage will toggle between 0 and 4 volts This is a good test result.

If you do not see the voltage toggle between 0 & 4 volts each time you press the button you have a damaged D- output

Interpreting Test Results

If the results of the Step and Direction differential tests are all good the MASSO axis is working ok.

You may have a problem with the axis configuration, the motor, driver, or the wiring.

If the Step differential test does not show 4 volts and the polarity reversing between S+ & S- when the button is pressed you have a faulty Step output.

The axis may still be usable if either of the S+ or S- outputs tests ok in the Common ground test.

It is possible to damage the S+ and still have a functioning S- or visa versa which will allow you to run the axis in common ground mode.

The Step Common ground output test will tell you which of the Step outputs is faulty and which is good.

If the Direction differential test does not show 4 volts and the polarity reversing between D+ & D- when the button is pressed you have a faulty Direction output.

The axis may still be usable if either the D+ or D- outputs tests ok in the Common ground test.

It is possible to damage the D+ and still have a functioning D- or visa versa which will allow you to run the axis in common ground mode.

The Direction Common ground output test will tell you which of the Direction outputs is faulty and which is good.

Important!

WARNING: If you determine that you have a damaged axis output please test and locate the actual cause of the damage as continuing without addressing the root cause will only cause further damage.

If you require assistance please contact MASSO Support