Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 02, 2011, 11:09:31 AM »

just a basic question on maintenance.  But have you cleaned the dust out of the computer?

Yes, quite often. This is also the 2nd computer I've used in the shop, but unfortunately continues to freeze.

8 out of 10 times a computer freeze in itself is due to thermal issues.  Have you checked to make sure all fans are running?  Heat sinks are not clogged?

Yes, when cleaning out the dust from above.

I was working with a client that had mach3 internet, skype ect all running.  he kept telling me that mach would randomly lock up.  (smooth stepper based).

he lived in a 3rd world country so "SEEING" the machine was a no go.  After DAYS of skype chatting, I finally got ALL the information....... it would seem that when his computer screensaver came on, mach3 would freeze when he wiggled the mouse.

I try very hard to stress to people, the computer is NOT a desktop computer.  It is a cnc control.
Windows updates, screen savers, power management, internet, antivirus all make changes to the windows environment.  That is the LAST THING YOU WANT!

Now Im not going to lie, I have some computers with tons of programs installed on them.  They are my DIAGNOSTIC computers.  I would never run a production environment with them.  More along the lines of getting everything to work to build an XML file or test a file.

Good luck with yours!

I'm not looking to play Warcraft on the computer when running the machine. One would think streaming music in the background is a mindless task that Mach3 could handle as it does 95% of the time. It's that other 5% that bites ya!

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 02, 2011, 11:02:19 AM »

" I tolerated it long enough. In today's day and age, I need the multitasking capabilities. "

YEP  GBS for sure (;-)

Good thing you have not bought a modern $100,000 machine center lately as they don't do EMAIL or Have radios built in (;-).

(;-) TP

Nah, just a 27 year old doing quarter million dollars in sales part-time from home. Life's rough, I know.

I need that extra time for my tunes and toys!

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 02, 2011, 10:37:44 AM »

I know; may be time to upgrade to WinCNC.

Or you could just buy a radio !

For the amount of money to purchase WinCNC, I could equip the shop with surround sound!

I tolerated it long enough. In today's day and age, I need the multitasking capabilities. I may also upgrade to that new fangled CD player all the kids are talking about these days.

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 02, 2011, 10:14:21 AM »

You normally do NOT have the MACH3 driver running in other cases of computers. THat MACH3 driver is a mix of wizardry and trickery JUST to be able to do what it does with Mach3.

Have you ever noticed that NOONE else can run CNC from the lpt port in WINDOZ. (;-)

BIG DIFFERRENCE , (;-) TP

I know; may be time to upgrade to WinCNC.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 02, 2011, 09:49:35 AM »

I also find it odd that the entire computer just locks up and freezes. I would understand if Mach was so demanding of the resources that the machine would stutter step and produce crappy cuts, but freezing the ENTIRE computer, really? I've never had a program that would lock up the computer due to lack of resources. It may run slower, but never call it quits.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 02, 2011, 09:44:47 AM »

NOW for the flip side I use a Usb stick all the time it stays in the machine AND i transfer back and forth with it. ALL the cut files stay on the stick.

 NOT a single glitch in years from the use of the stick.

I guess it all just depends, (;-) TP

Same here. USB stick hasn't moved from the back of the computer in years. Acts as my backup.

I'm going to run in stealth mode and completely optimize Windows for Mach and run nothing but the controller during cutting. Last night was the first trial and the machine ran like a hot knife through butter for the hour and half I needed it. We'll see if this continues.

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 01, 2011, 03:22:55 PM »

That's just a hard pill to swallow because I've been checking email and streaming music every day for years when running the machine. It doesn't happen all the time nor can I ever estimate when it will freeze. I've gone weeks of running the machine with IE streaming music behind Mach3 and never a single hiccup. It's completely out of the blue. However, when the machine is running, I dare not touch the mouse to surf the net or change radio stations. I've seen the machine hiccup when that happens.

8

General Mach Discussion / Computer freezes while running Mach3 - Windows XP SP3

« on: December 01, 2011, 01:30:48 PM »

I've had our CAMaster MC2840 CNC machine since November 2009 and have used our own computer as the controller. However, every so often from the very beginning to yesterday, while the machine is cutting and Mach3 is controlling, the computer would suddenly freeze up. The CNC would stop in it's tracks and I'd be dead in the water until I did a cold boot. Sometimes the computer would unfreeze itself and the operation would restart without skipping a beat, but usually I don't have the patience to wait for it to "thaw" and do a hard cold boot.

I wonder if the PC I'm running isn't up to par with what is required?

Here are our specs:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.66GHz
1 GB of RAM
Windows XP, Version 2002, Service Pack 3

It's basic computer with Cut2D and Mach3 installed. It is also connected to the internet and has Internet Explorer running in the background for mail and radio.

9 days out of 10 we run without a hiccup. But it seems like the past few days has had a hiccup or two each day.

Any idea what may be causing these intermittent problems?

Thanks,
Bryan

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3/computer freezing during operation

« on: March 09, 2010, 03:31:38 PM »

You can get an idea if it is spindle motor noise causing the problem by 'air cutting' something with the spindle off. If you can run without problems like that then it is likely a motor noise issue. If you still have problems then it is something else (could be both as well).

I wish it was a problem that happened every day. However, it isn't and I have no idea of ever knowing when it could happen. Makes it very difficult to solve.

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General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3/computer freezing during operation

« on: March 09, 2010, 02:53:52 PM »

I like to recommend a line filter on spindle motors to keep the electrical noise they generate from getting back into the control and PC and causing problems. I carry a 10A unit here: http://soigeneris.com/cncparts2.aspx , if your spindle motor draws more than 10A you should be able to find a similar unit with a higher current rating. Also, if your switching you spindle with a relay you should install an arc suppressor across the relay contacts.

I use a Porter Cable router that turns on when I flip the switch.