Need Help! Spindle won't turn on


Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Spindle won't turn on

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    3
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Spindle won't turn on

    Just putting together my new pcnc1100 and I cant get the spindle to turn on when on "auto" mode and using mach3(tormach version and controller). I can get the spindle and VFD to work when I switch to "manual" mode and use the switches and dial at the front panel.

    Anyone know why the spindle and VFD won't work int "auto" mode using mach3? Is it a software issue or a hardware issue?

    Thanks

    Similar Threads:


  2. #2
    Registered Scott_M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Medina , Ohio USA
    Posts
    439
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Does anything work on tne mach3 screen ? If not maybe you did not click the RESET button which enables the controller. This will light the "computer" led on the machines control panel. If the LED is on then the machine sees the computer. Try typing in 500 for the S word and hit enter then click the spindle button. Or try typing M3 S500 into the MDI line and hit enter. If neither of those work it is time to start trouble shooting.

    Scott

    www.sdmfabricating.com


  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    3
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott_M View Post
    Does anything work on tne mach3 screen ? If not maybe you did not click the RESET button which enables the controller. This will light the "computer" led on the machines control panel. If the LED is on then the machine sees the computer. Try typing in 500 for the S word and hit enter then click the spindle button. Or try typing M3 S500 into the MDI line and hit enter. If neither of those work it is time to start trouble shooting.

    Scott
    I tried everything that you suggested already. X, Y, and Z steppers all move and display in mach3. The mach3 display indicated that the spindle is moving, but never actually does.



  4. #4
    Registered Scott_M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Medina , Ohio USA
    Posts
    439
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    If the motor runs in manual mode then the motor is OK and the safety lock out switch on the cover is closed. If the spindle DRO is lit then Mach thinks it sent the signal. So I would check to see why the signal did not get to the motor. things like
    Parallel cable not properly seated
    Ribbon cables on control board not properly seated.
    Check the little buss fuses on the control board.

    Scott

    www.sdmfabricating.com


  5. #5
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Suffolk, UK
    Posts
    2512
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Have you gone through the spindle troubleshooting section in the manual.

    If you have exhausted the manual troubleshooting possibilities you probably should contact Tormach.

    Phil



  6. #6
    Registered
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    3
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott_M View Post
    If the motor runs in manual mode then the motor is OK and the safety lock out switch on the cover is closed. If the spindle DRO is lit then Mach thinks it sent the signal. So I would check to see why the signal did not get to the motor. things like
    Parallel cable not properly seated
    Ribbon cables on control board not properly seated.
    Check the little buss fuses on the control board.

    Scott
    I checked the parallel and ribbon cables and all are OK. All fuses are still good too.


    Quote Originally Posted by philbur View Post
    Have you gone through the spindle troubleshooting section in the manual.

    If you have exhausted the manual troubleshooting possibilities you probably should contact Tormach.

    Phil
    I went through the troubleshooting section, but it wasn't much help at all. Tormach is closed on weekends.


    Thanks



  7. #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    11
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    The last time I had something like this happen was when the motor cover door wasn't shut all the way disengaging the little micro switch.

    andyc



  8. #8
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    usa
    Posts
    143
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    double check the key switch. I think i had same problem



  9. #9
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Uk
    Posts
    45
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Did you get any resolution on this? I'm having the same problem.

    Spindle works fine in manual mode, but Mach can't get it going. Axis moves work fine. The spindle DRO turns yellow, I guess it is meant to be green?

    I've set the switch to auto. There is no relay noise, unlike when I start the spindle manually, so I guess the signal is getting broken somewhere between the parallel port and the spindle drive.

    Luke



  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    789
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Spooq View Post
    The spindle DRO turns yellow, I guess it is meant to be green?
    The spindle and coolant are yellow when on, I've never seen green.



  11. #11
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Uk
    Posts
    45
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tbaker2500 View Post
    The spindle and coolant are yellow when on, I've never seen green.
    In that case, Mach thinks everything is fine. I first realised something was up when I ran a test pocket in the air, and the spindle didn't start, but the program kept running. Until then, I'd been manually setting the spindle speed.

    I've emailed Tormach about this, so between the forum and them, am hoping to get some advice on how to investigate the problem further. I have a multimeter, and suspect I'm going to need it pretty soon.

    Luke

    Last edited by Spooq; 04-14-2012 at 10:40 AM.


  12. #12
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Suffolk, UK
    Posts
    2512
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Obvious but just in case, have you set the spindle lock-out key correctly.

    Phil

    Quote Originally Posted by Spooq View Post
    In that case, Mach thinks everything is fine. I first realised something was up when I ran a test pocket in the air, and the spindle didn't start, but the program kept running. Until then, I'd been manually setting the spindle speed.

    I've emailed Tormach about this, so between the forum and them, am hoping to get some advice on how to investigate the problem further. I have a multimeter, and suspect I'm going to need it pretty soon.

    Luke




  13. #13
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Uk
    Posts
    45
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by philbur View Post
    Obvious but just in case, have you set the spindle lock-out key correctly.

    Phil
    Yep, tried all the knobs several times. Matt from Tormach suggests the parallel cable as the prime suspect, so I will check that as soon as I get a chance.

    Luke



  14. #14
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Uk
    Posts
    45
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Spooq View Post
    Yep, tried all the knobs several times. Matt from Tormach suggests the parallel cable as the prime suspect, so I will check that as soon as I get a chance.

    Luke
    Good news, it was just a loose cable!



  15. #15
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    789
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Excellent! Which cable was it, inside the housing or the one from the computer?



  16. #16
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Uk
    Posts
    45
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    The one from the computer, and it was loose where it plugs into the back of the machine.



Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Spindle won't turn on

Spindle won't turn on