SX3 E-Stop Faulty

[SDesigns]

Hi,

The E-Stop button on my SX3 is not working properly. I had this problem a few months ago, and it sorted itself out. Now, the problem is back.

If I push the E-stop button, I can hear a relay click in the back of the machine, but the machine doesn't stop. I don't think the problem is in Mach3, since no settings have been changed.

Has anyone had this problem before?

Thanks,
Byron

[Al_The_Man]

By rights an E-stop button should engage an external hardware stop, so there is no way the machine should continue, at least not by normal practices.
How do they have the E-stop wired? Is there a print supplied for it?
Al.

[idtkid]

Remove the six screws on the back of the smaller black metal boxes. Check the double yellow wire and make sure it is seated properly in its connectors, unplug and replug if necessary. In the inputs tabs, what is your e-stop port and pin, just for kicks I have a SX3 and I can check it against my settings.

[Ed from NY]

By rights an E-stop button should engage an external hardware stop, so there is no way the machine should continue, at least not by normal practices.
How do they have the E-stop wired? Is there a print supplied for it?
Al.

Yes, on my SX3 the E-stop button will stop the machine regardless of it being connected to a computer... I think Mach3 just gets informed of the stop... well it can trigger it too, but when you press the button on the machine I think it just gets informed

[SDesigns]

Thanks for the postings,

I have checked that the cables are properly connected, and Syil don't provide any electrical diagrams. Could it maybe be a faulty spindle board?

[Ed from NY]

If you can confirm that the button is just a mechanical switch with open/close positions and a latch that the keeps it open once it has been pushed (?) then you could test if the problem is in the button itself by disconnecting the machine off the wall and connecting the two terminals together and then disconnecting the machine off the wall again and separating the two terminals.

Note that I do not know if it is only a mechanical switch, but if it is it could make finding the problem easy

[SDesigns]

It is a mechanical switch on the front of the machine. I have checked this and it is fine.

The wires run to a board at the back of the machine. This is where I get lost. I have no idea what happens after the switch makes contact. I can hear a relay switching, but the machine doesn't stop.

[neilw20]

I believed it is the relay on the big motor control PCB.

The spindle should stop.

A signal is sent to Mach3 (and if configured properly) will go to a RESET state in Mach3 and stop any feed (belatedly! often after breaking a cutter)
More correctly, the ES state should disable the drive to the steppers, but this part of the circuit on the breakout board has never been implemented - no wires, no latch (safety relay), because Syil are mechanical people, and they have been poorly advised in the implementation of safety issues.

A stalled spindle should issue EStop, but I have seen more than 1 big proper CNC machine that destroys cutters by not stopping the feed if the spindle stops. Implemented, this would be a nice feature.

Given half a chance, Syil will make it right, but we need to help them.

Don't make this is a warranty issue. Lets just help (Syil) to make it a better world for us CNC users. The SX3 has been a great machine for me.

It has been (and still is) good value for money

Neil

[SDesigns]

Thanks for the insight Neil,

Even with the inherent issues, I was at least able to stop the spindle in an emergency.

What do I need to do to get it working again?
It has stopped working once before, and miraculously, the problem disappeared.

Any idea where to start looking? the Relay ..... is this on the large board at the bottom of the machine, the one the E-stop cable connects to?

[neilw20]

Thanks for the insight Neil,

Even with the inherent issues, I was at least able to stop the spindle in an emergency.

Was that with the EStop mushroom button, just the stop button on panel, or Mach3 F5 / M3?

What do I need to do to get it working again?
It has stopped working once before, and miraculously, the problem disappeared.

Any idea where to start looking? the Relay ..... is this on the large board at the bottom of the machine, the one the E-stop cable connects to?

The relay on the large board (motor BLDC controller) - at the bottom of the machine?
is the one I am speaking of.
The relay(s) on the breakout board near ribbon cables is for the coolant M7/M8/M9 - which operates if configured correctly

The pictures and documentation should assist you.
The red/black wire to the switch is the CNC/manual switch.

The yellow wires on picture are EStop . Follow E-S cables around your box.
It starts at front panel, silly perspex hinged (into the bin) switch, then follow it as it chains from 1 pcb to another, ending up at the break out board.

Neil

[Al_The_Man]

IMO, Its rather short sighted to omit an electrical print of the machine in the manual.

With respect to oversights in other machines such as not implementing features like feed hold on a spindle failure, I have seen many oversights similar to this and it is often when some get into the retrofit or MTB business to make a quick buck and they have not have solid grounding in machine control, especially CNC.
Any OEM worth his salt will try and cover all bases, all it takes is a bit more care in writing the Ladder or machine logic.
Al.

[SDesigns]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the attachments.
I checked all of the connections again. Nothing loose.

My Spindle board is a version 1.4 Quite different to your one. I see your version 1.2 has the ability to adjust the display if you are using the high speed spindle pulley. Mine does not. Shame!
The E-Stop wires that connect to my v1.4 board are red / yellow. These run from the spindle board to the controller card that has the four stepper controller modules connected. All connections fine there. (See attached pic)

The main board (see other attached pic) has a rather odd shaped black relay on the top right corner. This relay is the one that clicks when I hit the red mushroom.

By the way, that perspex clear cover that guards the spindle. The switch on the inside of the little black cover does stop the spindle if running in manual mode. If the CNC switch is flicked, the switch becomes an ornament. I have removed my cover, since it always seems in the way.

Does this shed any light on the problem?