Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: patsgunrepair on February 01, 2016, 12:03:36 AM
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Okay I need a little help. I have been running the same CNC setup for about 3 years now without any really problems. I will list my setup below for those who wish to look at it. Anyways I can run a g-code for about 4 hours or 4 parts then the gremlins get a hold of the x and y axis. The Both of these axis start to jerk like the motion controller is losing the signal to the motors, but it never really falls short of the intended spot but goes long. If I'm lucky I get the CNC shutdown before it trashes the part. So I'm thinking that if I re-home the machine it should be off right? Wrong!!! It is on the money, I than check my zeros and they are right on. Even after I stop the g-code the x and y axis still jerk around, can even go on for 5 minutes, I assume it's running to end of the line of code. So my question is what the Heck is going on. I have replaced my wireless keyboard, updated my anti-virus, turned off my screen saver and still the same thing. I've read about turning off the tool path but it sounds like it's for programs with over 250,000 lines of code. This program has about 25,000 lines. Besides I have used this setup for years without a hitch. My next thought is to shutoff the anti-virus, go back to a restore point a couple weeks back, and maybe even the toolpath. Anybody have anymore ideas???? Thanks for your help in advance.
Pat
Dell Opti-plex
Windows XP updated
Parallel Port run Mach 3
Gecko Motion Controllers
Mill - Drill Rongfu with ball screws
3 Axis Movement
Milling out pockets
BobCad V27
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Personally i would get rid of the antivirus and run a clean, disconnected system only.
No idea if thats the issue but antivirus is a bad idea.
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I agree with Dave - it's always best to have a dedicated PC (which does not have other software (which may run in the background) and is not connected to the net) running Mach3.
Tweakie.
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Sounds to me like the computer itself may be the issue.
Look inside see if it is dirty, see if capacitors are bulging, look in bios and see if the temps and voltages are in spec.
Hood
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I'm with hood
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Make sure the drives aren't overheating.
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I am with the anti virus removal and the cleaning of the PC, also make sure that you turn the view port off. Especially if you are using onboard video. The viewport updates in real time as the tool moves. larger Gcode files have a lot of lines to "render" per say. Any interrupt in the pulse stream and you will see the effects on the part. It also happens very randomly as well.
Also check the task manager to see if you have other programs running in the background, trying to poll the network card for updates ect.
I always stress that the computer running the mill is NO LONGER A PERSONAL COMPUTER. It should be viewed as a dedicated CNC control. So dont go putting Itunes on it and other stuff. Dont be using it to search the web ect. Any change in the windows environment can potentially cause issues with mach3.
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Okay thanks for the replies I will try them all. As for a dedicated computer, that is what I'm doing. I have the Anti-virus software on the computer to help with any virus I may get with the other computer connected to my network. I like to be able to transfer files from the computer running the BobCad V27 software (which has anti-virus softeware installed) to the dedicated CNC computer. Do I need to worry about virus transferring from BobCad computer to the CNC computer? Also Hood do you mean the computer or the controllers overheating? I have cleaned out both of these but didn't look at the capacitors. However it is also something I will do anyways. Thanks for all the help I will let you know what I find out.
Pat
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Okay thanks for the replies I will try them all. As for a dedicated computer, that is what I'm doing. I have the Anti-virus software on the computer to help with any virus I may get with the other computer connected to my network. I like to be able to transfer files from the computer running the BobCad V27 software (which has anti-virus softeware installed) to the dedicated CNC computer. Do I need to worry about virus transferring from BobCad computer to the CNC computer? Also Hood do you mean the computer or the controllers overheating? I have cleaned out both of these but didn't look at the capacitors. However it is also something I will do anyways. Thanks for all the help I will let you know what I find out.
Pat
Is either pc on the internet??
No, then you do not need antivirus software.
If the non-cnc pc is on the 'net then i would sever the connection and use a usb drive to transfer the files.
The chances of getting a virus on a cnc pc is bugger all as they usually transfer with word files or audio/picture files etc. Virus software is a major workload on a pc, Norton being one of the worst but any is bad news.
Even the network card itself can be bad news and if not connected should be disabled in windows networking as it will constantly send out packets in search of other computers which it cant reach as its unplugged so it just sends and sends, working the cpu wastefully.
I have no idea if these points will help but ruling out basic stuff is always good i think.
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I was meaning the Computer but also as Gerry said it could be your drives overheating.
Hood
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something I read in the OP. You said that if you home the machine its dead on. Well that is to be expected because any loss in position is nullified by the re-homing. You are telling the machine to reference itself again. That means that your known zero point will then be picked back up from home positions. have you checked its zero points right after it went bonkers?
You would be surprised at how many gremlins I have solved on aged machines just by taking the LPT cable off, turn it around if it can, and plug it back in. turning it around makes sure that both ends where completely removed and plugged back in. This was the number 1 fix on alot of dot matrix printers back in the day as well.
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Here is an update of what I have done. Removed the internet connection (USB), Uninstalled the Anti-virus software (McAffe Live safe), When it happens I 've looked inside the CNC Control cabinet and felt the capacitor, motion controllers (they were cool), Felt axis motors(they were cool), looked inside the PC and didn't see anything wrong. So it is happening more often now. One thing I did notice was when the "X" and "Y" axis starts to shake I grabbed the "X" axis hand wheel to see if I could stop it and I couldn't. I did feel though at times as if the axis motor wasn't locked up for a short interval and then it would lock back up. So one of my thoughts here is if the mill becomes labored with a plugged tooth (haven't seen it)or whatever, in other words the axis motors is pushed to its limits would this cause the problem. I'm guess I'm going to have to try a different computer. Anybody have any thoughts?
Pat
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I would do a complete format of your hard drive and re-install XP up to service pack2 (someone may correct me on that), then re-install Mach3 and associated drivers purely for the CNC you run nothing else, complete bare bones means that.
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I am using a old Dell Optiplex, 2 gig, running xp. I had the same issues using the PP connected to a Gecko 540. Tried everything to solve it and no luck. Finally went to ESS and never had the problem again. I read someplace that certain Dell Optiplex models use a 3.3v PP output which could be your problem although mine was 5v. I suspected the PP on Dell Optiplex are handled differently in BIOS than other pc brands. I gutted my Dell of all unnecessary programs, antivirus and startup services except what is needed to run Mach 3 and use a USB stick to transfer files. Especially make sure the automatic update are turned off as this can eat up tons of processor time.
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Hey GEH7552, I'm trying to figure out what ESS means. Also what is crazy about this is that the configuration I have , has been working for at least 3 years without any problems. So that has me wondering why would it act up all of a sudden? Thanks
Pat
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ESS= Ethernet SmoothStepper sold by Warp9. It's a external controller card. Don't get the USB version as it has a history of problems.
Clearly something has changed in your pc to start causing the problems. Could be as simple as the PP card is failing. Even though Microsoft stopped supporting XP it's still sending out updates. I have another Dell 8400 running XP Pro connected to the internet that I use for AutoCad work that last month got a bunch of automatic XP updates. Surprised me! Could be one of the updates is affecting Mach 3.
Try rolling back to a previous date where you know the PP issues didn't happen.
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okay I will roll back to a previous date and see if that works, If that doesn't I'm going to go back and reformat the drive and have a clean install of mach 3. Was wondering what files I should back up for mach 3. I assume the XML files?
Pat
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Safest to copy the whole Mach3 folder to a usb stick - no chance of losing a file then.
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IF it is an old PC I would consider replacing the Memory with NEW stuff at least 2gb
(;-) TP