Ready To Cut CNC Art

Parallel port cable

Eagle6052

member
Hello tech support,
I have a plasmacam machine
When the computer is out in the general shed area there are no problems.
I put the computer inside a steel dust and water proof cabinet.
I get communication or signal interference errors.
My research tells me it's the parallel port cable.
I tried to purchase a heavy duty shielded parallel port cable but could not find one in Australia.

Your help would be great.
No one seems to be able to solve this issue.

Thanks

Darryl
 
that's a tough one

if the cable works outside the cabinet then I'd tend to think it's good - most cables are grounded and shielded - if possible just try any other cable

Is the case earth grounded - Are the computer and machine power outlets properly earth grounded - Are those on the same cicuit breaker

Is there any power wires routed near the cable - or wrapped around the cable

Do the com errors occur all the time or only when running the machine or only when cutting
 
The error only happens when comp is in cabinet.
Yes everything is earthed.
Power is all on same circuit
Have tried different cables
Same issue
It's driving me nuts lol
No one else has managed to solve it either.
Not even plasmacam USA
 
Hello Darryl,

Can you first check that your cable is not running alongside any other cables........even if only close. This is the most common way noise is transmitted. Running your PP cable at right angles to othercabling should eliminate this......although that doesnt make a very tidy cabinet!! Can you also post some detail on the cable you are using, I'm assuming male to male, length etc.

I'll see what I can come up with.
Cheers from another ozzy.
 
Sorry for delay.

Here are pictures
It was an Industrial Built Cabinet.
240 Volt Power runs down C-Section to Power Points.
If you try and run through a Back Up UPS it comes up with Communication errors as well.
This is a real mystery and no one has been able to solve.

By the way thanks for your help and assistance.

Darryl

20160917_122935.jpg
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Every hardware has a seperate Power Point not through a power board

Plasma is 15 amp circuit.

It was suggested that we run the Plasmacam unit through a transformer.

EG: 240 volts A/C Australian to 110 Volts A/C USA as these machines are all made in the USA.

Before going to this wanted to exhaust all other avenues as it is expensive.

Darryl
 
Without adding to costly trials, can you make sure the actual cabinet is grounded/earthed as well. The cabinet can/could be acting like an oversized aerial......... I could also organise shielding to wrap your port cable if you wanted.

:debug: :)
 
I might add that this should be a common ground. ie. Connect it to the same earth as the power supply for the equipment in the cabinet.
 
Thanks

Yes the cabinet is earthed.

I wrapped the cable in heavy duty alfoil.

Do you have special cable shielding ?

Will see what happens once wooden cabinet is finnished

Darryl
 
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