Machine hang during tool change

[javajesus]

Sorry to hear that you are still down. I had a little scare today when my mill lost home. Turned out to be a chip hanging out on the prox switch on the X axis. I did talk to Ed at Sharp regarding the tool change hang issue and he said he would look into it and see what he could find out. For the time being, I am just happy to have the machine run a full cycle. Thanks again Spock and keep us posted.

[spock]

Sharp is sending me a new brake, so I should be back up Monday.

My repairman has a theory on the hangup, I will run it by you and see what you think:

He says that the toolchange macro is processed in a different section of the control than regular programs, and that because of the speed at which these things process it could be "jumping" back into the section where regular programming is run, before the macro is actually finished, (and has populated the plc with the correct info before it takes off again). this might explain why the machine is using the 100% rapid on all G0 moves, (from the macro) and is hanging up at the next toolchange, and why the dwell fixes it.

I do plan to reduce the dwell amount some and see what happens.

[javajesus]

I got my dwell down to a 1/2 second to where it's almost not noticeable but is still a little. I am going to play a bit and see where I end up. The repairman's theory makes sense to me. It could be any number of things causing it and we may never know.

[neilw20]

Originally Posted by javajesus I got my dwell down to a 1/2 second to where it's almost not noticeable but is still a little. I am going to play a bit and see where I end up. The repairman's theory makes sense to me. It could be any number of things causing it and we may never know.

Timers are not a very good programming strategy.
Event driven is best.
You should only use timers to catch unexpected hazards (like a tool missing etc.)

[spock]

Neilw20, the time I alluded to earlier was a delay, IIRc. Been several days ago, now, so I dont remember what it was for.

And, the fun continues......Sharp thinks they know what the part is that I need, and sent me one next day air. I needed a "brake" they sent me a "book", an operation manual for a conventional mill. Of course, I called the parts dept. and left messages. They didnt call back today, so getting the right part tomorrow is now impossible. Come to think if it, they have yet to return any of my calls or those of my repairman.

I am beginning to think it is good that they make such a dependable machine, if I were to have alot of problems I dont know if I could handle this for long. You get to feeling all alone when you have been down 8 days and machine tool company wont talk to you, and the only help you have gotten from your dealership is from the secretary. i have heard guys complain about poor service before, but never experienced it for myself until now. I know I am starting to whine a little, but if you have read this far, at least you are listening....

[neilw20]

I just got a warranty 600w power supply direct from SYIL to Melbourne, Australia in 4 days, and you are having trouble with the locals??

By the way, the earlier free repair offer is still current (LOL). Sorry. I shall not LOL. You have a real problem and I see they are doing it by the book.

[longcut]

Sharp has a new tool change macro you can try either via internet or through a flash card.
I used the macro for a while and the the same thing came back after a while. (FYI in the trouble shooting screen, all the 1's and 0's are lined up saying all is cool (mechanically/limit switches/I/Os) to change a tool so it appeared to be a software issue.
I did add dwell as mentioned and it cured the problem....so far. Seemed that the tool change macro was moving to fast for the control to read. Knock on wood.
Oh...keep an eye on the "air only" tool release cylinder. Had some issues with that and Sharp sent me an Air over hydraulic cylinder that is working great. Later, Matt

[javajesus]

Well, it's been almost a month since I added the dwell and it seems as though that has fixed my problem. My machine has not missed a beat since adding the dwell and the small delay is almost imperceptable now. I would just like to thank everyone for helping out.

[spock]

Mine is humming along as well with the added dwell, I would still like to see the new one offered.