Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: markseger on April 25, 2013, 07:44:02 AM
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Well I thought I was really getting the hang of things, thanks to chaoticone, solved my problems at the time. Loaded the code file and the saw dust was flying.....I walk away, come back and I see that the Z axis was not responding and was dragging through the wood making a mess. Hit the stop, manually tried to raise the Z and it chugged and there was almost no response. Erratic movement. X and Y jogged fine but Z is out of control.
I started another file and the same results. Z is not responding properly. I then started the mach3 loader file and loaded mill versus router. the z works sporadically but at least responded to commands in the proper direction.
Having read about the lousy controller that these Chinese machines come with.....think it could be the controller?
I'm just glad there wasn't an open window in the shop.....
Any ideas?
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Mark, post your xml file and I'll look at it.
It's entirely possible that some of the hardware has given up. Can you swap your wires going form x or y (don't try this with an axis that has 2 motors) motor to z motor easily? You could start narrowing it down this way. You have 2 known good axis and one dude. By swapping wires you can narrow it down. Really only a few things it can be as far as hardware goes. Motor, drive, power supply for that axis, breakout board, or wires between any of them.
Brett
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Thanks Brett for your prompt attention, if you and lived nearby, I'd buy you breakfast lunch or dinner! OK I changed the cables, swapped Z with Y and the issue transferred to Y. So like you said, it appears to be a hardware issue. Possibly cables? I've read that the controller box is utter garbage and prone to problems.
What can I do to narrow down the problem?
Once again, my deepest thanks.
mark
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No problem Mark
Where did you change the wires at? In other words, when you changed them what does it prove is good or bad? Can you swap the wires at a different point to narrow down the possibility's even more?
Brett
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I disconnected the y and z from the back of the controller box and swapped them. the Z axis works fine then and the Y has the erratic movement. SO it is either a cable (I inspected it and there is no visible damage) or something inside the controller box. This machine has low hours on it, perhaps I need a new contoller?
Thanks again
Mark
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Perhaps the controller is the culprit but can you narrow it down any more? Can you open up the controller and swap things around in there? I'm not suggesting you do, just asking if you can. You could also swap pins assignments for y and z and note the difference if any.
Brett
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Brett....Check this out, I used the Mach loader, picked the mill option. Loaded mach3 and the Z axsis runs smooth as butter. I load the profile you created for me Marksrouter and it sticks like mud with the Z axsis. I think its softerware at this point. You asked me for the xml file, here is is.
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I think you forgot the attachment. Post both xmls if you will. Make sure they are named something unique. To be sure I understand.... the MarksRouter profile was running good and all of sudden stopped working?
Brett
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I keep getting an error message stating the file has already been sent....doesnt apprear to me that is was.
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Yes it was running fine, then stopped in the middle of a project cut. Manually jogging, the z axsis stuttered and still is doing the same thing. I'm going to try to attach the file again.
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How are trying to jog? With the keyboard keys?
Brett
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Yes with the keyboard
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All of your hotkeys in the profile you posted are wrong.
Brett
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I didn't even know about hotkeys...could I have inadvertently done this? What's next. Copy the backup xml file to the mach3 folder?
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Well, if its working I would just copy the xml that is working good and then copy it to a safe place like a thumb drive. I'm not sure what all may be wrong with the xml you posted but assigning hot keys is pretty straight forward. Just go to config., system hot keys, click on the axis and direction buttons and for each push the key you want to move the machine it that direction. Need to stick with the defaults though as you can get in trouble wondering away from them. X+ is right arrow, X- is left arrow, Y+ is arrow up, Y- is arrow down, Z+ is page up and Z- is page down. I would like to know if that is all that was wrong.
Brett
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I copied the original XML file to the mach ,3 folder and I'm getting the same erratic results w the Z ax sis. Frustrating to me,
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I really want to get this machine running, what if any recommendation would you give me.
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Brett....Check this out, I used the Mach loader, picked the mill option. Loaded mach3 and the Z axsis runs smooth as butter. I load the profile you created for me Marksrouter and it sticks like mud with the Z axsis. I think its softerware at this point. You asked me for the xml file, here is is.
I copied the original XML file to the mach ,3 folder and I'm getting the same erratic results w the Z ax sis. Frustrating to me,
Is the machine not running right with the xml that fixed it earlier?
Brett
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Still, I replace the old XML file with the new one that was working and it's still stuttering on the z. should the date change on the file every time I use it
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I sent you a PM
Brett
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I'm available by phone...call collect!
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241 reads, I know some of you have this machine or something close to it.....how irritating is it when you consider yourself knowledgeable, able to work through most issues and then find yourself scratching your head not knowing which way to turn. Who else has this machine? what are your experiences and perhaps post your XML file on this forum to better the use of our tools...Come on man!
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Opened up the box and looked at the stepper drivers and there is a red light on the Z board, the x and y have a green light lite. Any ideas except that red means stop.....
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Can you post some pictures of the box and wiring and drives? Just make sure they are named something original and not too big or the forum will not accept them.
Brett
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T65-3A with the red light on, this is my Z axses
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all three
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OK the board is smoked. a puff and its done. I need an alternative to this Chinese crap. stepper driver T65-3A. I will take a guess at the nomenclature - the 3A prob means 3 amp. Who has had a good experience with one brand or another.
Thanks
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GECKO 540
I own two. When my 3020 box dies I will own a third.
You will need a power supply and spindle drive board.
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Would you buy the new motors and cables ?
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You can keep the motors and cables.
I would update the motors and cables. A little easier if you can wire.
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Great the BOB and stepper driver boards came in from China today. Installed the hardware, started Mach3 and damned if I still don't have the same problem with the Z axises. I jogged the y all the way to the end of the table, tried the Z and it worked fine. Move to the middle of the table, did not work. Move back to the end, works. Besides having to replace the one driver board, this really sounds like a wiring issue. My continuity tester is at a job right now...
Any advise? Replace the one faulty wire or should I replace all of them?