Yeong Chin MXP-200i stops but

[bborb]

Hi All,
I'm trying to figure out why this Supermax FV56A will start a program that has run for years and stop after the first toolchange as the first tool approaches the part. By stop I mean all axis motion stops but the spindle and coolant continue and when looking at the screen the program continues to scroll line by line exactly as if the program is still running. The machine jogs in manual fine but when we start the program the table positions as normal, the spindle travels to toolchange and performs the ATC action perfectly, the spindle and coolant come on and then Z-axis starts down towards the part and stops several inches above the part, no axis motion after that, but the screen shows the program continues to execute normally, line by line.
Any ideas why this bizarre scenario is happening?
I think an MXP-200i is like a Fanuc 21i
Thank you for your time.

[dcoupar]

Could you please post that section of your program here?

[fordav11]

He said the program has run for years so looks like some kind of machine fault?

So what happens if you leave the machine running through the program?
Does it finish each operation and change to the next tool?
Does the readout move in XYZ and the table not move at all?

Maybe it's an ATC switch problem. Possibly the machine does not know the tool has changed and its still waiting for the completion signal?

[dcoupar]

He said the spindle and coolant start and Z starts down towards the part after the tool change. That would seem to eliminate an ATC switch problem.

Maybe someone edited his program.

[fordav11]

Maybe.
The only normal way a readout can move but machine not move is if machine lock is on.
But the Z movement discounts that theory.
It's a strange one for sure.

[alexfanuc]

Maybe the dryrun button is on and Z moves because it has a G0 ?

[bborb]

Hi again All,
I apologize and I'm kicking myself. Unknown to the operator the machine has been switched to metric, and to the naked eye all axes appear motionless. The operator reported the motionlessness to the foreman who concurred and reported to the department head who in turn witnessed "motionlessness" and agreed they had a wierd problem. As it turns out, the machine that is set to metric is running a program written in inches, so the distances and feedrates, etc. are all miniaturized but the machine is performing exactly what is asked of it.
Whoops.
I'll definitely keep this one in my back pocket.
Thanks for yout time.
-
Edit: Nobody knows how the machine got switched to metric, everybody swears they didn't do it. I've switched the machine back to inch mode and now all is well.

[dcoupar]

Originally Posted by bborb Hi again All, I apologize and I'm kicking myself. Unknown to the operator the machine has been switched to metric, and to the naked eye all axes appear motionless. The operator reported the motionlessness to the foreman who concurred and reported to the department head who in turn witnessed "motionlessness" and agreed they had a wierd problem. As it turns out, the machine that is set to metric is running a program written in inches, so the distances and feedrates, etc. are all miniaturized but the machine is performing exactly what is asked of it. Whoops. I'll definitely keep this one in my back pocket. Thanks for yout time. - Edit: Nobody knows how the machine got switched to metric, everybody swears they didn't do it. I've switched the machine back to inch mode and now all is well.

Some programmers put a G20 at the top of the program to ensure Inch mode.
Glad you got it worked out, nonetheless.