today I fried up the BP series II Interact 4 and got the German so I had to reload all the parameters, but must have done something wrong as can't get the X,Y & Z ref movement. I have double checked all the parameter entries three times, but when I try and hit the start button to traverse the references, it just sit there. I think I messed up the Datrum somehow, but don't know how to correct this problem. The manual say to enter 84159 code and then use the handwheel to traverse the reference marks, but it won't move.

Anyone know what my problem is? Yea I know, I'm stupid, but what can I plead, I'm old and GOD didn't bless me with a lot of gray matter, although I did teach myself how to CNC machine. Not too bad for an OLD guy.

Ben

Check your feedrate overide knob and make sure
it isn't turned all the way down
arhctysv

Is it in emergency stop mode?
I don't know this machine, but in a lot of machines all of the overtravel limitswitches are wired in series with the emegency stop switch(es).
Any axis off limit, or something else in the emergency stop loop (like a tool changer or turret indexer gone ape) can make it hard to get moving.
Usually only the slow step or slow jog rates are active, allowing you to move the offending axis. Try all of the slow/step positions for manual feed and the jog wheel/buttons. As an example, the Bosch controller I use has a button maked like a switch, that you must hold so you can jog off the limit.
This fault often created by a power hiccup during referencing, then all of a sudden machine is broke.
If during referencing a sluggish home switch allows an axis to overtravel then this will cause same problem.

What is troubling me is the machine is in manual mode and it's displaying the X,Y & Z references to move the table and spindle in all three axis, but when I hit the start button to do this I get nothing. No error messages, nothing. the axis's are not setting on any of the limit switches and when I try moving any axis I get the "F" on the monitor showing MAX. It's like the references are all set to their limits. Using the MOD button and going to the "Position Data" all axis display 0.0000. You can change the axis readings to normal, ref, actual and one other setting. I'm sure I got something set wrong, just don't know how to correct it.

Ben

Can you get any movement of any axis?
There will be a safety contactor, that is normally in, but if any EM switches are open machine will appear dead.
Even though no axis are on their limits, mechanically actuate all of the limit switches (with the power off so unexpected moves can't injure you)
A break anywhere in EM wiring is a pain to find because all of the switches are usually in series. Unplug and replug all connectors, that may be involved.
If you do this one at a time and test each time you may find the culprit.
If you do them all at the same time, and it fixes the problem, it WILL COME BACK.

If you press the yellow button, do the drives turn on and stay on. Or do they drop out when you release the yellow button?
How about if you press the yellow button down and hold it down and see if anything moves?

George

If you press the yellow button, do the drives turn on and stay on. Or do they drop out when you release the yellow button?
How about if you press the yellow button down and hold it down and see if anything moves?

George
When I power up the machine and hit the yellow button the spindle fan comes on, but no movement with the start button on any axis. Upon release of the yellow button the fan continues to run. I'm stumped. Last night laying in bed I'm thinking that the parameters are not being loaded. According to the manual I should get a power interrupt after entering all the parameters and I don't. I tried removing the buffer battery yesterday and reloading the parameters by hand, but not getting that machine shut down. when I finish entering the parameters I hit the DEL button twice, but that isn't working, any suggestions. thanks for your help.

ben

Can you get any movement of any axis?
There will be a safety contactor, that is normally in, but if any EM switches are open machine will appear dead.
Even though no axis are on their limits, mechanically actuate all of the limit switches (with the power off so unexpected moves can't injure you)
A break anywhere in EM wiring is a pain to find because all of the switches are usually in series. Unplug and replug all connectors, that may be involved.
If you do this one at a time and test each time you may find the culprit.
If you do them all at the same time, and it fixes the problem, it WILL COME BACK.

neilw20,
when I get back from VA later today I'll try that, but don't think that is the problem. the machine was running fine before shutdown. when I powered it up I had the missing parameters and reloaded, but think I mistakenly enter something wrong in the Datrum area of the machine.
ben

Just wanted to say I got the tables to move in the X,Y & Z reference, but still have a problem--see next post
go figure!

Ben

Well now I can traverse the X,Y & Z reference points and move the table in any axis, however when I hit the program run in either step or auto buttons, the fan shuts down and I get a "Gross Positioning error" whats up with that????

Ben

When in doubt-READ THE MANUAL STUPID!!!

BEN

The reference manual might be a generic USERS MANUAL.

When you can reference the machine, you will have made some progress.
It needs to know where it's extremeties are.
Gross error means it figures it unsafe to do anything practical.
It either thinks it stupidly huge, or tiny, or upside down.
It's a pity better documentation from machine builders stays in their 'secret' you'll never nedd this again file, (especially when I'm no longer in business)
Talk to a machine builder who knows your hardware if you get stuck for answers.

The reference manual might be a generic USERS MANUAL.

When you can reference the machine, you will have made some progress.
It needs to know where it's extremeties are.
Gross error means it figures it unsafe to do anything practical.
It either thinks it stupidly huge, or tiny, or upside down.
It's a pity better documentation from machine builders stays in their 'secret' you'll never nedd this again file, (especially when I'm no longer in business)
Talk to a machine builder who knows your hardware if you get stuck for answers.

neil,
figured out the gross error problem by reading the manual and got that fixed, so now I can reference the axis. Now when I try and runa milling program I get a positioning error. I'm pretty sure I have the Actual vs the Reference vs the Dist points programmed wrong and the table isn't sure where it really is. I'm going to have to sit down with the Heidenhain manual today and try and figure out exactly what their telling me to do. these manuals leave a lot to be desired, if you know what I mean. thanks for the assistance.

ben

If the zero was set in the wrong place and the movement commanded would exceed limits, it is possible this error may pop up.
The display (relative, actual, lag) has no bearing on this.

George

Ben,

A bit of persistance has got you over the first difficult hurdle! Well done!
What/where/which table do your programs use.
Single step a program you have run before and you will soon see where it shouldn't go, even if by memory (human type).
Are your tool change (and other custom) cycles still intact?

Neil