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Messages - jengineer1

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1
My computer quit last week and I had to move everything to a new computer. homing worked on the last machine.
Before the machine completely stopped working I managed to copy the profile folder from mach 4.

I installed mach 4, copied in the plugin files, and copied my profiles over to the new computer.

Problem. I can jog the machine in all directions, but when I hit "home all" the z axis moves very briefly (not getting to the switch) and stops. Then I get the error "motor not enabled" for all the motors.

If I enable the machine again I can run gcode as long as I don't home the machine.

System specs
Windows 10 pro 64bit.
I attached a screen shot of the black window that is usually open in the background, and the text log of events from diagnostics.

Steps taken so far.
1. I updated the hicon firmware to version 2.50.23 today, but the same problem occurs.
2. I updated the config files inside the plugins folder as well.
3. scrolled through the motors settings and all the appropriate boxes seems to be enabled inside of motors, axis mapping,
4. Restarted the controller and computer just in case.

2
I checked the setting for the z axis. They are correct. when I move down towards the plate the numbers count in the negative direction (-1, -1.1 etc) as they should.

I checked the fixture offsets. G54 had an offset. I changed it to zero and restarted everything.

1. open Mach 4
2. checked that all fixture offset was still zero.
2. jog head away from start position.
3. turn on THC- (green light on)
4. start cycle
5. torch moves to start position
6. torch moves UP to home zero.
7. sequence aborted.

Testing a theory... I homed the machine 1" from the plate.... checked fixture offset Then tried again.

1. closed and open Mach 4
2. checked that all fixture offset was still zero.
2. jog head away from start position and "ABOVE" home position.
3. turn on THC- (green light on)
4. start cycle
5. torch moves to start position
6. torch moves DOWN to home zero (1" above the plate).
7. sequence aborted.
logs are attached.

3
As stated before in earlier post...

1. I tested the probe signal it works when I manually jog to the plate. the light comes on in both mach 4 and on the hicon controller.


It will never find the digitize signal because it is moving the wrong direction. I will email support soon with my settings but here is a screen shot of the mach 4 window with settings showing.

It doesn't work with any gcode. I even went to MDI and entered "M03" as the code. Same problem. However, I have attached the code.

4
I jogged the machine a little between each one. I also used the logger.

The files are attached.

5
The jogging works fine now. Sorry about the confusing message below.. please check the second part of the reply.

This is what is happening now.
Jogging works as it should, but probing still doesn't work.

This is the sequence that happens now.

1. hit cycle start
2. Torch moves to start position.
3. probe move up (position direction) until it reaches home zero.
4. stops and give aborted message.

I tried changing the machine home location to different heights to confirm that was the stopping location. It is. The THC max is set to 5.0". So I set the torch about .25" above the plate and made that work zero... it moved to 5.14" to reach the home position and stopped.

Previously it moved down first, so I guess it is moving in the wrong direction for some reason. The axis orientation is correct is that z+ is up and z- is down when jogging the machine

6
I updated the firmware as suggested. I went ahead and rebooted the computer, and controller after all that was complete.

The z-axis still wouldn't. When I tried to move it with the plugin screen it said the motor was not enabled in mach 4. Finally I disabled it everywhere and re-enabled it everywhere and that worked.

Now.

New sequence.
1. Torch moves to start position.
2. probe move up (position direction) until it reaches home zero.
3. stops and give aborted message.

I tried changing the machine home location to different heights to confirm that was the stopping location. It is. The THC max is set to 5.0". So I set the torch about .25" above the plate and made that work zero... it moved to 5.14" to reach the home position and stopped.

Previously it moved down first, so I guess it is moving in the wrong direction for some reason. The axis orientation is correct is that z+ is up and z- is down when jogging the machine. 


7
I have installed the files and new profile you sent and now the machine can't move the z axis. History and pictures of my setup are attached.

I had to redo all the settings for axis mapping, step count and inputs and outputs. I took pictures of the wires so you could see everything was connected correctly I believe. If I use a different profile with the same settings for axis mapping etc the z-axis moves correctly. I have checked that everything is "enabled" as it should be.

Only the integra profile can't move the z axis with jogging or with the probe move.

When the probe sequence starts it just says "Torch enable error. Switch motor control error"

When I try to jog the z axis nothing happens. The z position still reads zero and nothing moves. There are no warning lights or errors on the drive which moves the z axis either.


8
I could not reach email support. The message bounced back... it looks like a forwarding error of some kind.

Here is what it said.

"mkhan@vitalsystem.com
    (ultimately generated from support@vitalsystem.com)
    This email account's owner has suspended delivery for the account."

I am available all day today and tomorrow. I don't want to post my email address here, but if you fix this error or give me a new email address I would love to get this resolved today... or tomorrow.



9
Below is a picture of the unit I purchased.

The probe light comes on every time. Here is the sequence.
1. I start g-code
2. probe/torch moves down to plate.
3. touches plate and light comes on... both on the hicon and in Mach 4.
4. torch moves up to exact 1" off the plate ...This doesn't seem to match any settings I have.
5. Everything stops.
6. History shows error message.

I did this three times in a row to confirm. I have attached the history. It was the same all three times except one time Mach 4 said it lost contact with the controller which was new error.

If I touch a screw driver between the torch probe and the plate the probe light comes on with no problems on the controller and in mach 4.

Additional observation
4b. There seems to be a very slight pause (perhaps at the .06" height I have set for torch height)... but it keeps moving after that and stops at 1" every time. There are no physical reasons it can't go up past that point.







10
I have not be able to get this system to work since I bought it. This is a link to the first time I reported the problem. I have upgraded windows since then and the type of error has changed. https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=41710.0

Problem:

At the start of a program the THC sequence begins...the torch moves down, the probe is active, the torch moves up. and then the sequence is aborted.
This happens "almost" every time. Sometimes it will fire the torch and immediately shut off the torch and abort.

Other relevant details.

-The probe signal alone seems to work fine. If I activate it, both Mach 4 and the controller board light up.
-Even if I turn off the THC on the panel it runs the probe sequence but continues to push into the plate requiring e-stop to quit.
- I had to create a different profile in Mach 4 to test everything else. It runs the gcode and cuts the plate without a problem setting the height manually.
-Attached are screen shots of computer specs, the last sample G-code etc.

Things I have tried.
-Restarting everything
-GCode with only "M03" inside it
- Double checked the wiring.



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