Controller more bugs than an old dog

[daisydog]

Hello,

I have posted in the Wincnc area already but maybe you can help me?

I have a 2006 ShopSabre with low hours. I am running servos and love the machine and have no complaints with the support from ShopSabre. However I have a serious problem with the z axis, it randomly likes to crash into the spoil board. I have re-set the g37 tool touch switch spoilboard setting several times useing the instructions that came with the switch and also a slightly different method that the ShopSabre tech uses. In both cases the machine would work for a short while then the bug returns. The z soft limits will not work after the bugs return they think absolute zero is about 5" to 7" above the spoil board. The whole z axis is so unstable that the machine is unusable unless I want to risk wrecking the spindle and or whatever is being worked on. Twice in the last two weeks I have had to hit the abort as the z bugged out and crashed, once into the spoil board and once into a project.

Does anybody know of a cure other then switching controllers.

Thanks,

[cabnet636]

daisy if you post in the shopsabre thread with the most post you will wake up some of the participants other wise one would have to wait untill they just happen to check the thread

jim

[pescado_loco]

I have a 2006 shop sabre with servos also. No problems so far but I just got it a few weeks ago. I'm not sure what is causing your problem but I would suspect the controller or encoder. Could also be a loose or frayed/bare/short wire. I would check every inch of wire for bare spots & shorts. Check all the connections & check for kinks that could cause a broken wire inside the insulation. If you still can't find the problem then it could be the encoder or controller. $$$$$$$$$

[pescado_loco]

Another thought!
The encoder could be loose on the shaft, but I think that would cause a more permanent problem.

[daisydog]

Thanks Loco, I'll give the wires a good look. With the problem being of an intermitent nature a ground fault is a definite possibility.

[pescado_loco]

Ddog,
Any luck finding the z goblin? Where are you located? If your not too far, perhaps I could come by & take a look. Being an owner of basically the same machine, I really want you to get this solved.

[daisydog]

I sincerely appreciate your help Loco. I am located in s.w. Michigan, Kalamazoo to be exact.

I have not traced the wire from controller to motor yet, that will happen this afternoon. I am also going to call Shopsabre again and see if they have any more ideas.

I am leaving for a one week vacation Sunday and hope to have something figured out by then.

Thanks Again,

Joe Ddog

[pescado_loco]

Ddog
Just a little too far for a visit. I'm in Pensacola, FL. I'll help from here as best I can. I talked to a friend who is a wizard with electronics, he thinks it's a short, loose/broken wire, cold solder joint or cracked circuit board somewhere in the encoder circuit.

[daisydog]

HI Loco, I think I'll just come down your way and forget about my cnc problems till Spring.

Thanks for the time and input I will use the info during my next session with Ben from Shopsabre. I did trace down the z axis motor wires and they looked good, there could still be a problem that is not readily visible.

Thanks,

JoeDdog

[pescado_loco]

ddog,
Keep after it. You'll find that gremlin.

[rgh]

I had the same problem with my previous ShopSabre. We were never able to identify it, but they thought it might be in the WinCNC software (which doesn't make sense sense to me as an intermittent thing). I just received my new ShopSabre, and it is working great using the old controller. (The problem with spoilboard crashing is it is very intermittent, so I may still see it) Here is my thought though ... Check to ensure nothing, or noone, is bumping the tool height switch during operation. This is probably nothing, but the last time this happened to me, I had bumped the switch with my elbow and didn't think much of it until the next tool change, when the problem occurred. Not something I want to test for sure, but if this is the problem, then WinCNC should disable the switch if it is not specifically being used.

[cabnet636]

what do you mean by a tool height switch, i have two machines one with multiple tools and one with only one, i have custom screens and the wincnc is fully changable, can i see a screen shot of your screen? we call setting tool depth or "z" height, "touchtop" this is done with a macro and the screen has a button for it, setting multiple tools is automatic on my screens, my tool change screen is at shop so i will show you later.



jim