mach 3 keeps stopping

[mark.a]

im hopping someone can help. when i am running mach 3 the cnc stops moving, the code is still running on mach but no motor movement.
if i shut down mach then restart the motors will run again.
any help would be great.

[Senna]

It would be helpful if a bit more info was supplied.

What version of Mach3?
Is this a licensed copy?
Does machine movement stop at the exact same location each occurrence?
OR do you get further along on a cold machine and stops occur more quickly when warm?
How about vice versa... machine goes further in the code when warm vs cold?

More info would certainly help us help you...

Steve

[mark.a]

version r1.83.027
yes it is licensed
i havent really noticed wether it stops in the same place all the time
i dont think it does. dosnt seem to make a difference if it has been on for a while.
i am running windows 7 32 bit
hope this helps if you need any more info just ask. many thanks

[mark.a]

just an update.
i ran the same code today when the pc was first turned on so everthing nice and cold, went through complete code without stalling. sounds like the driver board may have overheated and shut down.
one other thing i found was when i did the original drawings i used google sketchup. when you draw a circle you have to tell it how many segments it is with a max of 999, when you convert it to run in mach3 it produces 999 codes for a circle. i think this may have had something to do with it.

[Senna]

With the success you had at cold startup I'm thinking the problem is NOT with Mach3... but electronics... most likely in the controller.

These types of problems can be frustrating to hunt down... one way to eliminate Mach from the mix is to run code without having your machine on. If Mach digests your code with full runs... it can be eliminated as the source of your issue.

Good hunting!

Steve

[mark.a]

i think you are right senna i have a cheap chinese controller, with the help of
GrootWitBaas i have managed to modify the board to stop it missing steps. he also adviced me to remove the heat sink fan which seems to be the culprit (drawing to much current) been running a lot of code since with no problems. fingers crossed. by the way i have a 4" 240v fan now colling the whole board.

[Senna]

Originally Posted by mark.a i think you are right senna i have a cheap chinese controller, with the help of GrootWitBaas i have managed to modify the board to stop it missing steps. he also adviced me to remove the heat sink fan which seems to be the culprit (drawing to much current) been running a lot of code since with no problems. fingers crossed. by the way i have a 4" 240v fan now colling the whole board.

Good deal... I'm rooting that you have vanquished the gremlin. Happy cutting!

Steve

[mark.a]

well the problem is still their. while running code the cutter keeps stopping tried changing the kernell speed to see if that made any difference. the only thing that happend when i changed the speed it would start again, so i dont think it is the board overheating.
the other thing is when the axis stop moving and you try and use the jog buttons you can hear the motors jerking a little.
all in all its starting to get irratating especially when your half way through a cut.

[restless1]

can you load mach3 on an xp machine and try it?
Since you have a licensed version why don't you upgrade to the latest I believe its free upgrade from a licensed version.
the latest version is Mach3Version3.042.040 and yours is woefully old..(with lots of bugs..
If your having problems upgrading mach3
Send a copy of your license to license@machsupport.com
and ask them to help..

[ger21]

Originally Posted by restless1 the latest version is Mach3Version3.042.040 ............

3.42.040 is not the latest anymore. But you can get it from the ftp site

Have you run the drivertest, and if so, do you get a flat line?

When the machine stops moving, open Task manager and see what the cpu load is.

[restless1]

thats what i get for looking to quickly lol..

[mark.a]

just tried downloading that version it got about 5mb then stopped.
i have been onto their web site they have a version Mach3 R3.043.022
do you no if this is a full working version.