4896 issues... where to start... (Long)?

[Dave's_Not_Here]

This almost sounds like a cabling issue! either you are getting interference with the SCSI cable from the card to control box or you are getting noise in the lines from the motor(S). Is the machine reliably electrically grounded?

What constitutes reliably grounded?

The motors are grounded through the control board & there are half a dozen grounding wires run to the grounding block on the control board's aluminum backing plate.

I have disassembled anything to do with the 4th axis, reset the various jumpers back to their original locations and reformatted the HD and reinstalled the Techno Interface and XP OS. The only remaining upgrade not changed, is the 4th axis chip on the PCI card, and I don't even want to try removing that without the correct tool.

Still have the same issues with the GUI Buttons and spindle.

This is starting to take a toll.

I researched WinCNC and their forum is clustered with people having their major issues.

The DMM Technology website has some funky problems with text wrapping around places it doesn't belong, which doesn't instill confidence in their products or people's attention to technical quality... but their prices are very attractive... but then it just might be "you get what you pay for."

Then there's MachMotion, which has no forum here but has a few positive comments and no negatives, has a turn-key upgraded Mach3 solution, but will set me back $5K just to get a divorce from Techno.

If Techno cannot correct the issues (and I bet the resolution will be to ship the Control Board and PCI Card to NY) I will be forced into making a decision that will cost me a good amount of money either way. Either that or I will have to consider selling off the router, as I am already on the edge and just lost two clients over this issue.

American Products and Customer Service just isn't what it used to be... then again, maybe it never was.

D

[cabnet636]

"I researched WinCNC and their forum is clustered with people having their major issues."

i have wincnc on 3 machines and work with all of the camaster owners who have it on the well supported machine owners forum, there have been machine companys sell it with out supporting it or teaching it to respective owners, i do not know anyone who we work with who is not successful with it, we did go thru learning curves a couple of years back, and i get company response from wincnc in a reasonable time when i go thru my machine support channels correctly. basically all issues were owner oriented and easily solved. i do agree one must go where comfort finds them best and i agree wincnc is not for everyone i am sure you will find what you need, i have mach on the new "stinger" i recently purchased and it works well yet given a choice i would still go with wincnc. i can really understand how high your level of frustration is at this point and wish you good luck, me i am gonna cut today!!

jim

[advt001]

Dave what part of the country are you in? Some of us maybe able to help you get caught up.I do know how stressful your situation is.

Regards,
Scott

[Dave's_Not_Here]

Dave what part of the country are you in? Some of us maybe able to help you get caught up.I do know how stressful your situation is.

Regards,
Scott

Scott,

I appreciate the offer. I am in the NW.

Unfortunately, in an effort to help out the customers, I directed them to alternative sources already; and in one instance, handed him a check to offset the inconvenience he was caused... even after that, he stopped by my shop and gave me an ear full... with Techno on the phone!

Can't win for losing sometimes.

D

[Dave's_Not_Here]

Jim,

I didn't mean to come off as critical of WinCNC. I just wasn't in a position to take on the challenge of considering control software that other users seem to be having problems with.

It's one of the reasons I never went with Mach3... it seemed that you had to be an electrical engineer to configure the the system, then deal with troubleshooting issues, etc...

When you are trying to run a one-man business, all you want is a system that works, and when it doesn't, you want to be able to call the mfg. and get help.

Please accept my apologies if I came across as slamming WinCNC. That was not my intention.

D

[Dave's_Not_Here]

... I spent a lot of time on the phone with Mike, at Techno. He was a real lifesaver. Knows the electrical component side of their machines like the back of his hand. He assured me we would get it fixed today.

In the end, we were able to trace the final problem back to a wire that had gotten loose inside the Z Axis slide, running to one of the Homing switches.

I am currently running the 420Q Build; all Axes' are running and Home as they should. So, 2 1/5 weeks later, I am, (cautiously he says) back in business.

I still have to configure the A axis properly, and Mike has committed to getting me up and running. He also seem surprised that I had to get a complete servo package just to correct the encoder issue, as he said they can be replaced. So, I will be following up on that with him, to see if anything can be done to offset the $900+.

I am looking forward to trying to relax over the weekend and assess what I can do to recoup business... but at least, for now, I am not having to worry about the router.

Thanks Mike!

D

[Ed Lang]

Hello Dave,

Very glad to hear that Techno was able to work with you and find the problem.

I am very happy with my LC4848 I bought used and without the PCI card or software. Techno has been fantastic to work with in getting me the missing parts, quickly and helping me get them connected and working.

I hope everything returns to normal next week after a restful weekend!!

Best wishes from the east coast out your way.

Ed

[Dave's_Not_Here]

Ed,

Thanks for the encouragement. I look forward to a better week next week.

I gets really frustrating, quickly, when a lot of money (for me anyway) is on the table and the help you get is not what it should be.

I agree that Techno can be very helpful and get the job done, but it seems to be dependent upon whom you are dealing with. Mike was stellar!

Once I get the wiring done in a more robust and professional manner, I should be back to 100%. Mike is also helping me get the 4th axis up and running properly, which will be a HUGE plus. It is solely because of his efforts, performance and attitude, that I will give very serious consideration to staying with the Techno CNC Interface.

From the left coast, have a great weekend yourself!

D

[Ed Lang]

I would also like to throw out another name... Charlie Bible. He is in sales and if anyone needs help, this man is the one to go to. If he does not know the answer, he will find it for you or get you in touch with the person who does know the answer. I have spoken with Charlie several times and emailed him a lot in the past year. Always professional, fun and willing to do what it takes to help.

On a different note, I am running the 420Q software and have had no problems at all. The machine I bought used came with the 4th axis but I have not connected it yet.

I also found out that the grease gun for my chain saws nose sprocket is the right gun to grease the fittings on the X and Z axis.

Take care!

[advt001]

Is Techno still shipping the machines by Mayflower?

[Dave's_Not_Here]

I would also like to throw out another name... Charlie Bible. He is in sales and if anyone needs help, this man is the one to go to. If he does not know the answer, he will find it for you or get you in touch with the person who does know the answer. I have spoken with Charlie several times and emailed him a lot in the past year. Always professional, fun and willing to do what it takes to help.

On a different note, I am running the 420Q software and have had no problems at all. The machine I bought used came with the 4th axis but I have not connected it yet.

I also found out that the grease gun for my chain saws nose sprocket is the right gun to grease the fittings on the X and Z axis.

Take care!

Ed,

I second your opinion of Charlie. I, too, have had great experiences with Charlie in the past.

My 420Q seems to be working well. On the last install, Mike told me not to move or rename the original Techno CNC Interface folder; just install the 420Q drivers and Interface. So I did, and all worked well. 420Q has big issues if an older build (400 in my case) is still on the HD. Apparently, overwriting the older Build (***) version is the preferred method.

Let me know how your 4th axis setup goes... I will be finalizing mine over the next week or two. What 4th axis software are you using or planning to use?

Getting back on the horse this week... hoping all will be back to normal. Nice to enter the shop and not HATE your CNC Machine every time you look at it!

[Ed Lang]

Dave, I am going to wait to hear all is OK from you before I start anything with my 4th axis

I have Vectric Aspire and really don't do any 4th axis work, but it came with my machine so I'll give it a try later this summer.