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Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Machine Freezes Followed by Unwanted Offset
« on: November 25, 2020, 08:28:26 AM »
When I first got my CNC machine running I would notice that during testing the GCODE would run and then throughout the cycle the head would pause briefly and then resume. Sometimes for a split second sometimes longer. This machine uses a PoKeys57CNC controller. I thought it was interference on the wiring so I ensured that all of my cables were grounded appropriately. These by no means were cheap cables either they were all sourced from IGUS. The however didn't fix the problem. I then tried changing PCs thinking it was a PC issue. Adding more RAM didn't fix the problem, A SSD drive didn't fix the problem, A 16 core PC didn't fix the problem. Then I upgraded my video card, same problem. I contacted Pokeys, they have excellent support by the way, and I explained the issue. After some back and forth they suggested that I watch the command buffer to the PoKeys 57CNC.
They have a utility that can inspect when the buffer is full. What did you know as I was watching the program run the GCODE buffer to the device would goto 100% the machine would stop briefly and then resume. Sometimes loosing where it was left off. And when the machine stopped it sometimes was violent depending upon the GCODE instruction. Rapid moves were the worst.
Now the issue was identified that the buffer was filling up to fast. Onto the solution. While watching Windows processes I noticed that the processor would hit 100% utilization each time the buffer was full. I then sorted the process list from worst offender to least offender by processor percentage. There was one windows process that is used by Windows which causes this to occur. When I shut that down (and didn't allow it to ever start up again), this was in the services control panel mind you, the problem went away. Now what that service was I don't know off hand, but maybe this will help you diagnose your problem.
They have a utility that can inspect when the buffer is full. What did you know as I was watching the program run the GCODE buffer to the device would goto 100% the machine would stop briefly and then resume. Sometimes loosing where it was left off. And when the machine stopped it sometimes was violent depending upon the GCODE instruction. Rapid moves were the worst.
Now the issue was identified that the buffer was filling up to fast. Onto the solution. While watching Windows processes I noticed that the processor would hit 100% utilization each time the buffer was full. I then sorted the process list from worst offender to least offender by processor percentage. There was one windows process that is used by Windows which causes this to occur. When I shut that down (and didn't allow it to ever start up again), this was in the services control panel mind you, the problem went away. Now what that service was I don't know off hand, but maybe this will help you diagnose your problem.