Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jerky movement running code, but jog is OK!

« on: July 15, 2015, 08:33:44 PM »

Problem Solved!

Miscommunication about the "CV FEEDRATE" button on the Settings Screen... Turns out it actually had been set.

The onsite operator re-checked the setting, and turned it off.... system runs as it should!

He turned it back on to verify it was the source of jerkiness, and proved it was!

Thanks, Gerry (CNCZone - ger21) for the directions he followed to resolve this issue.

Paul

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jerky movement running code, but jog is OK!

« on: July 14, 2015, 09:41:46 PM »

Presuming the jog speed is the same as Motor Tuning Velocity Speed... yes, the code feed rate is the same (190 ipm).

3

General Mach Discussion / Jerky movement running code, but jog is OK!

« on: July 14, 2015, 08:17:43 PM »

I have a client system running Mach3 on a router:

32 bit Windows XP SP3
On-board parallel port
PMDX boards interfacing between PC and OEM controller cabinet
Stepper motor/ballscrew axis drives

Problem: After a 4 month period, trying to run previously proven code, the machine axis moves are jerky when running code, but move normal in jog mode.

I have read various threads with similar symptoms, and have applied, or checked for the many solutions presented in those threads... with no improvement on this system.

Items checked:
CV-Exact Stop, and Look Ahead setting in Config (no change)
G8 entry in code (none present)
G1 after previous G0 (correctly placed in code)
Motor tuning Vel and Acc set correctly for previous proven code runs
Driver Test reports System Excellent
Re-installed most recent Mach3 release

Initialization in code:
G20G64G17
G90
G91.1

Non of the equipment was powered up during any storms/blackout/brownout

Attached are the .xml, and a video of the X-Y axis jerkiness while running code

I have run out of ideas for checking a system that ran fine the last time it was powered up.

Any help ideas will be tried quickly and results reported back here.

Thanks, Paul

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-axis losing position

« on: June 16, 2013, 12:15:13 AM »

All seems to be working after a day's running...

In addition to repairing the spindle motor cable shielding, the owner purchased a high end interference filtering power strip for the Mach3 computer, to replace the economy department store variety he had... as per one of my earlier recommendations.

So, which remedy cured the glitch is a local debate. Owner is happy, and going to bless me with a check Monday. 

Everybody is happy here!

Thanks to all,
Paul

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-axis losing position

« on: June 14, 2013, 08:38:15 PM »

Ran first side of the two-sided 3D project with no sign of axis shift after repairing and grounding spindle motor cable shielding... fingers crossed for the flip side later this evening.

I wrote a simple looping code to exercise all three axis, going up and down around an imaginary six inch square, and stopping at reference zero. Thirty iterations, and no shift.

Paul

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Rectangular Pockets have curved ends

« on: June 14, 2013, 08:31:10 PM »

Just checked my code, and TurboCAD/CAM had inserted a G64 line. I've changed it to G61, and will see what happens next run.

Thanks, Paul

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-axis losing position

« on: June 14, 2013, 04:43:10 PM »

Just got a call from the electronics guru, at the machine site...

The shielding in the pic is for the spindle motor, and it is severed at the exposed location. It is not grounded at either the motor or controller end. He is going to try a splice/jumper  repair of the braid, and chassis ground the shielding.

I'm waiting for a call-back to see if the patient survives surgery! 

Paul

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-axis losing position

« on: June 14, 2013, 02:45:36 PM »

And here's an updated copy of the xml...

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-axis losing position

« on: June 14, 2013, 02:43:56 PM »

Well... I checked the pics I have of the machine, and it appears the spindle motor cable is  shielded.. kind of. 

I'll contact the owner and have him get his electronics guru on it!

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Y-axis losing position

« on: June 14, 2013, 01:22:41 PM »

I mistakenly re-posted after getting up... old-timer's desease... sorry.

Attached are pics of the items. The machine is a 20 mile trip away from here. The only data I have access to is the vendor site posted in first message. The three ring binder with the machine only covers the pendant controller... since replaced with the PMDX boards.

Rich,

The behavior is completely random... that's why I'm here. Trying to troubleshoot with no ability to produce errors "on demand" has made this a very frustrating venture.

The machine owner is non-technical, and was convinced by the Chinese vendor that all he had to do was plug in a thumb drive with the stl file, and press the "go" button... presto, carved part... using the added 4th axis no less! Only had a 5mm ER11 collet with a 1/8" reducer insert, and two wing nut stamped toe clamps. Convincing him to invest in additional tooling, measuring, and workholding (the basics) has been a major battle. Replacing the motors on a "let's see if this works" basis is an argument I really don't want to add to my stress level. 

I need to make an effort at resolving this with what is on the floor. Was called out of retirement to help out, but payment is based on how the owner gets paid for his work (sculpture)... on delivery of product. 

Thanks, Paul