Gecko drive problem

[contractdesign]

One of my drives on my bridgeport / mach3 / gecko rebuilt machine keeps dropping out. By dropping out I mean in the middle of a program run the y axis motor stops turning but the digital display on Mach 3 shows the y axis readout changing. When I look at the red led on the gecko it is dimmer than the other two "x" and "z". I keep thinking it is a loose connection on the gecko because when I shut power down and push on the terminal strip and power it back up the problem goes away. I might also mention that this problem is at it's worst while running a circular cut in the x and y directions. I suspect that the connections on those gecko terminal pins are the culprit. Any advice or help would be appreciated

[Hood]

swap the drives around, if the problem follows the drive its a drive problem. If it stays with the same axis then its a wiring or software problem.
Hood

[contractdesign]

I've had this problem on all three drives, always one at a time. I'm pretty sure it's the connection method on the removeable terminal strips on the Geckos.

[Mariss Freimanis]

It would be helpful to know what drive model number you are using. If you contact me I'd be happy to send you new connectors for free. We ran into a problem with our original connector vendor when they switched from normal connectors to ROHS ones about a year and a half ago. We had to dump them because they overdid the ROHS thing by taking Berillyium out of the Copper contacts and all the 'spring' with it. The vendor's product we use now doesn't seem to have any problems.

ROHS is a totally pointless disaster being visited on the electronics industry. In the past we have always used good vendors that have made good parts we use in our drives. Now we have to sort out who makes ROHS compliant crap that's not quite as bad as someone else's ROHS compliant crap. You as consumers ultimately pay the price for this environmental idiocy fad until things get sorted out. When they are, they won't quite as good as it was before tree-huggers got involved in dictating engineering parts qualification.

Mariss

[contractdesign]

Mariss, Thanks for your reply. I used the G202 drives on all three axis. Are the new connectors direct replacements for the plastic removeable terminal strips?

[Mariss Freimanis]

They are.

Mariss

[mxtras]

I would suspect that you are missing steps - possibly from having the motors tuned a little too hot??? Have you tried decreasing your acceleration and velocity profiles?

Scott

[contractdesign]

Scott; I did try lowering the accell curves and speed profiles, no luck. As I said, this problem comes up once in a while, but this week was a nightmare on one particular part with a round pocket cut.

[mxtras]

I figured you likely had done so, but just thought I would mention it.

Please update the thread when you get the problem licked!

Scott