Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: chrisjh on June 18, 2007, 07:30:08 PM
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When I try to set the spindle speed with M03 S1500, I get an error in Mach3: Error on line 2 - Unspecified failure, and it presents a VB debug screen. This does not happen consistently but when it does it is very disconcerting.
Several other users on cnc zone forum have reported this but no one seems to know the fix. Can someone here help?
I have other issues with Mach 3 but will report them one at a time starting with this one.
Regards
Chrisjh
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Have you tried using M3 instead of M03? Just a thought?
HTH,
Sid
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I use to get the same error, we discovered it occured when opening a file over the network in lew copying to the local machine to open.
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Hi All,
This drove me nuts until I discovered the only way to make it go away was same as Involute's fix. That is, close Mach3, then reboot the computer. Whilst this in not very satisfactory, it appears to be a workaround.
The other symptom that I notice while the computer was in this "mode" was that M3 S*********x commands from the MDI also resulted in the same error message and the the spindle motor would not start.
Thanks for the feedback. It is good to know that others are experiencing the same problem.
Kind Regards
Chrisjh
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Hi all,
My original workaround for this error message is not consistent. I still get the error sometimes. I can't seem to get a consistent set of circumstances that replicates the error. For example I used the machine for about 6 hours yesterday with no sign of the problem all day despite interrupted sessions requiring shutdown to attend various domestic chores.
Then today when I started the "unspecified failure" error reared it's ugly head again. I ended up turning off Mach3 and rebooting the control computer about 3 times with no luck. I then tried to issue M3 S*********x followed by M5 commands from the MDI screen with the mill turned off then turned on. Somewhere during this frustrating process it miraculously came good so I was able to continue milling.
Issuing M3 or M03 does not have any affect. Mach3 seems to be very tolerant to leading zeros in G code.
Perhaps it is related to the I/O board where the parallel port cable is connected to the machine.
With more use ( I am new to this) I have also noted that the I/O board seems to hold logic states for a while (say 3 - 5 minutes) when the machine is turned off. One of the symptoms is that the E Stop remains active for 3 - 5 minutes immediately after I switch off the mill. This smacks of a lack of pulldown resistors on the I/O board parallel port. If I disconnect the control cable the E Stop signal disappears, thus proving that the rogue logic signal is definitely coming from the mill.
It would be great to get to the bottom of this problem. I have been able to solve many teething problems by using this and the Syil forums.
I am in the process of machining 50 lids for a Mixer module for a Radar used in the mining industry manufactured here in Brisbane Australia. I am at Op 6 of 8 operations and the machine is working great. I took some videos tonight and will post some vision when I can work out how to compress video.
Regards
Chrisjh
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Hi
Seems there is a lot of interesting "Flags in Mach###, however ,as in my cases, MY Fault,,,.
Had an interesting one .Tool # tool large ?
Well , I had wanted the machine to "start from here".As it was ,I got impatient and restarted,
well, Mach### was correct ,was doing what I wanted and would not accept another tool
# or offset ! WOW, what a great system !!
Bear
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You guys having the M3 macro problem please post your XML and I will see if I have the problem here...
Bear, I can't tell if you have a problem or if you are making a joke... Is there a problem with entering tool data?
Thanks
Brian
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Hi Brian,
Thanks for you offer to have a look.
Here is my xml file.
Regards
Chrisjh
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Okay i just tested it here about 20 times no problem... how about a Gcode file that you have problems with and could be take a screen shot of the Macro directory? I wonder if Mach 3 is having a hard time with an other profile that you have on that computer.
Thanks
Brian
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Hi Brian,
I just returned from the shed where I was able to capture screen shots of the error message.
I was able to create the error by the following sequence:
1. Load Mach3 with the profile that I posted recently.
2. Load the G Code program attached to this post.
3. Switch on the mill.
4. Go to the MDI screen.
5. Issue the MDI command "M3 S1500"
Regards
Chrisjh
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Hi all,
Brian ,no joke,I think the world of this software!
I had never seen this error report before.
Mach was going thru "it's process " and I was
unaware .
I think this system is "Great" !
My only wish!!! I could figure how to conect to
this hatefull Fadal !
Thanks ,
Bear
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What Mcode are you talking about??? Is it the M3.m1s???
Try this Spindle speed Macro and tell me if it is okay with your system :)
Thanks
Brian
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Could you send me your XML and I will have a look again :(
Also please copy in the Spindle Speed macro that I posted and tell me if you still have the problem
Thanks
Brian
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hmmm I just get a box at the end... and If I open the file in the editor in Mach3 there is no problem
could give me a screen shot of what you are getting?
Thanks
Brian
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I have that here but it never seems to give me any trouble... Tell me if you still have problems after cleaning up the macro code.
Thanks
Brian
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Hello Guys,
Well I got this problem in the last update of Mach.
Now went and cleaned the wierd characters and save the files again and looks like the problem is gone, now the massege is gone and the spindle starts o.k.
Thanks for the advice Brian. ;)
Marco. ;D
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Unfortunately no matter what I do I still get this error message intermittently.
It generally appears first thing when I begin work with a new g code file (not always though).
The only work around that has any success is to shut down Mach3, reboot the computer, then reload Mach3. Works most of the time (but not always).
It occurs on both my laptop which I use to generate code in the comfort of my office when I simulate my code and on the desktop machine that I use to run my mill.
The strange thing is that once I have made the devil of a thing go away, it remains satisfactory for the rest of the day.
Sometimes when it appears, I get so frustrated I give up for the day and go and do something else. Next day with the same code that failed the day before it behaves like a meek little lamb. Butter wouldn't melt in its mouth!!!
I am convinced that all it needs is an overnight rest.
Chrisjh
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Hello Chris,
Have You try to clean the code in the macros folder?
Try cleaning (erasing all of the weird charactres in the line of code) and then save the file.
Try to look in Hidden Script ,M3 M4 and M5. Also If You have more than One profile You have to clean those also. I was getting the message also and with this fix ,I don't get it any more and every thing is running fine.
Hope this helps, Marco.
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Hi Marco,
I have found the Macros folder in the Mach3 directory.
Question is "which file do I open to investigate for corrupt info?"
Is it spindlespeed.m1s?
If so, can I open it with notepad so that I can edit it?
Kind Regards
Chris
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Hello Chris,
Open the files named :
Hidden Scripts.m1s
M3.m1s
M4.m1s
M5.m1s
And yes You can use notepad for the cleanup
It may look like this:
M3.m1s
DoSpinCW() with weird stuff here,delete the characters and save the DoSpinCW() and so on.
If You have special macros in Hidden Scripts check that there are no weird characters mix with the code. Like little boxes or squares.
Hope that this helps,Marco ;)
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Before you mess about - have a look at the video tutorial on scripting - which tells you how to open these files and amend them with Visual Basic. The necessary files are all in Mach 3 already.
This is not essential - but well worth watching and it will give you some idea of what is happening
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Brian - I am getting this fault as well. I didn't get it on Mach 3 Turn, but I am getting it on Mill.
Using the same equipment (my lathe has a milling head) M3 M4 and M5 work perfectly on Turn, but when I ran off a program on Mill yesterday the line M3 S3000 was not accepted when running the program. The message "Unspecified error line ..." flashed up in a box, followed by a VB script window which was, I think, the M3 window with text DoSpin.
As soon as you close the VB window the program carries on.
I will have another look at it and see if I can be any more specific.
Jim
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I ran the program again on this computer - in my study - no problem. I checked the Macros - M3 was empty. I put in the correct script.
Went through to the workshop. I checked the Macros were alright, then ran the same program - no problem at all, which baffles me.
Yesterday it would not run and I had to set the Omron inverter onto manual to get the spindle moving.
The only thing I can think of is - I write the programs in the study, then put them on a memory stick. I have found that I tend to run the program direct from the memory stick instead of putting it in the GCode folder. I just load the program from the memory stick and run it. Could it be that by doing this I am tending to mislead Mach3 as to where the Macro folder is ?? This time I showed it where the Macros were by checking them first from Mach3
It obviously sorts itself out, because it gets all the other Macros.
Jim
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Hi All,
I have checked all of the macro files as suggested and they are all clean as a whistle, no visible corrupt or odd looking characters at all.
I completed a milling job yesterday and the error message did not appear at any time from start to finish of 3 hours work.
This is a definite mystery.
Regards
Chrisjh
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Perhaps it depends on what day it is !!!!!
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Went through the script error poping up with the M3 S*********x a month or so ago, Brian thought it was due to me running across the network, after an update the problem stopped and I'm back loading and running my files across the network again. Currently on 2.41 and its runs just fine.
Food for thought!!!!!