Super X3 Spindle Issue

[dafowfidy]

My spindle has not worked properly on my machine in CNC mode since July when I first started running it. It really sucks, the RPM is erratic, it stops completely at times, and sometimes it doesn’t even start with an M3.

I have been though more hoops than I can count trying to fix it. At first Syil America diagnosed that it was a PC issue so I went out and bought a new one and $400 later and a couple of weeks dealing with Art Soft, I had all of the same problem as before. So finally on 12/13/07 Syil America asked for a PO number so I was assuming send me a new spindle control board but I havent heard from them since. I have tried a couple of times to get an update on the progress of my part but no reply.

So I am at my ropes end in trying to get what I paid for last February. For those of you who have received good service and are happy with your Super X3, I am Jealous. As for me I am truly beginning to believe I made a mistake.

Other Issues:

(1) Spindle reverse button on the quill handle does not work.
(2) Coolant does not turn off and runs when ever the machine is powered up.
(3) The shock on the side only provides resistance on the way up not down. Is this right?

[skmetal7]

It could be your speed controller, the super x3 has had issues with its 3 phase controller in the past.

I don't know what to say but keep buggin them!!!

[LeeWay]

I don't have this machine, but on the gas spring, it should provide some resistance when going down and help take some of the Z axis weight off on the way up. If you remove the spring and it stays collapsed and is hard to extend, then it is either the wrong type or it doesn't work. When removed it should extend fully.

I am not familiar with how the coolant is setup, but it sounds like a relay for that isn't working right either. The software should tell it when to use coolant or mist and is initially coded by the Cam software. I am sure you are aware, but Mach also has settings for flood coolant. It may be that you are getting conflicting directives from mach and the Gcode. Or a bad relay. You should be able to test the relay somehow though.

What operating system did the new computer have? What type CPU does it have?

[dafowfidy]

Well I sent Syil America a email when I posted this and I got a board next day mailed to me, so thanks. But I am still having the same problems, I am still waiting on some more advise from those guys but I am going to look for loose wires until a beter light bulb comes up.

As for the gas spring i belive it simply failed because when I power down the Z axis free wheels until it hits something now.

[LeeWay]

I have heard of these springs failing quite a bit. My spring has only been installed about a month now, so time will tell. Mine is only rated for 30 pounds, but keeps the head from moving when I power down. Before it would slowly spin down to crash on the table. I have one more as a spare, but I think if this one fails, I'll go the old fashioned route and use window weights or large sinkers and a pulley system off the back. Those don't generally fail unless the rope breaks.

Hopefully someone with a machine like yours will drop in and help out.

[neilw20]

Cut and pasted from SYIL CHINA EMAIL:

we feel sorry for the problem of RPM,this is a firmware problem on the motor interface PCB.you can get the correct RPM in mach3,set pulley spindle on 0~3600,that will ok.but the display on front is still 1800 max. RPM on display : true rpm =1:2
I test the machine ,M3/M4,M5 is all ok ,when use M3/M4,the speed will be down to 400rpm,then change the direction,use M5,the spindle will stop in 5S.
if you use tapping function,the max speed is 500.you can tap a hole in the speed between 200~500RPM.about the problem of green switch,you should hit heavily, I think you can fix it yourself if possible. Yeah. How?

My fixes, (not happy though):
1.) My forward reverse has bad connection between the shaft and electronics. Hold a green button and wiggle the handle reverses. Not much good like this for small taps in blind holes. HIT THE BUTTON HARDER!!? crap!
2.) PWM frequency for spindle control in Mach3 needs to be 500Hz minumum.
3.) Because I have no tool changer I control the spindle manually. M3 is crap.
4.) Coolant: In config you may need to fiddle the settings. And/or try using the output from the other relay on the spindle control board. Then use M8/M9
5.) My shock strut is really strong. It is a rat trap to remove.

I bought a fully fitted out factory conversion.
25% of screw terminals not tightened correctly.
Drive coupling on Z axis not installed properly. Stripped hex socket grub screw.
No lock washers on screws holding stepper modules. 1 nut fell into the power supply and blew it up. (new 1 in 4 days from China. Well done.)
Wrong crimping tool used on Stepper Connectors. I made a special pin removing tool, and recrimped the lot. ALL were bad. A loose connection here can conceivably blow up a stepper driver module.

It could have been worse I suppose.
I want to fix the spindle. I want spindle speed to read correctly. Not 1/2.
We need more complaints about the admitted firmware problems.
Band aid fixes are a safety issue.

[dafowfidy]

Well I have been waiting since last Thursday or Friday and I have not received any suggestions or anything for that matter.

Anyway all I have found is a pinched wire that goes from the RPM display to the board with the manual spindle controls. It seems that is I leave the display loose and dangling the spindle will run some what correctly but if I give it a S3000 M3, it only displays 2350.

(1) Does anyone know what kind of cable feeds that display? The outer insulation is ripped and I see that there is some kind of copper winding inside of the outer insulation with the individual insulated wires running in between it. I am going to have to try the radio shack I guess.

[thackman]

There isn't much of a chance that this is your problem but I thought that I would throw it out there in case anyone else was having a spindle problem. The magnet on the chip shield came out and the chip shield would swing just a tiny bit when the head moved or I powered up the spindle. This was causing random estop issues until I tracked it down.