Reply with Quotethe motion mechanic screen you posted shows no errors, not sure if the keypad simulator was actually meant to run the machine. The handheld controllers are pretty sturdy, did you order a cable at the same time?
multicam 3000 - running cnc without controller
We have a Muticam 3000 CNC router that we expertise for research and educational projects. As most Muticam products the machine is always busy. Two days ago we had an unforeseen mishap when one of our trainees dropped the CNC handheld controller. There is no display on the KDM-20 controller (see attached pic- keypad.jpg).
I opened the controller and the problem seems to be damaged circuitry.
We contacted our local agents and placed an order for a new controller however there will probably be over two weeks of down time on the machine until we get the new controller.
I have a basic understanding of electronics and I’m persistent to try to make the CNC operate without the controller as we just cannot afford the downtime.
Proposed solution: I discovered that Multicam suit 4 has a keypad emulator. If the keypad emulator works then we would have a temporary fix until we get the replacement controller. I opened the program and it had connection issues(see attached pic- keypad emulator.jpg).
I then opened motion mechanic program, and I realised that if I restarted the CNC, the motion mechanic dialog box displayed what the keypad controller used to display (starting details of CNC, enabling of motor drives, faults, etc). The dialog box passed all the test except it reported a fault (error A1) which I presume is the controller(see attached pic- motion mechanic.jpg).
I also assume that the CNC during start-up test identified that the keypad controller was not working and populated an A1 error code. This is probably why the keypad emulator was unable to connect as the CNC identified a keypad error.
I also discovered that I am able to reboot the CNC using motion mechanic/live update(see attached pic- live_update_reboot.jpg).
This proves that I can control the CNC to a certain extent. If I was able to disable the A1 error then maybe the keypad emulator would work. This probably would involve modifying the CNC start-up test to disable keypad checks. Maybe “ini_selftest” (see attached pic- machine update.jpg).
Please help, and I hope im moving in the correct direction.
Ugan
email: ugan@dut.ac.za
Similar Threads:
the motion mechanic screen you posted shows no errors, not sure if the keypad simulator was actually meant to run the machine. The handheld controllers are pretty sturdy, did you order a cable at the same time?
Re: multicam 3000 - running cnc without controller
Reviving ooold thread for help!
Pff, I wish.Originally Posted by xjdubber
Anyone got insight on this? Same situation as @ugan.git as the controller screen wen't dead. I can control the machine out of my memory but would be nice to have visual feedback on things.
Did you get rid of the A1 error ugan?
Micromechanic
Turku, Finland
Re: multicam 3000 - running cnc without controller
Reviving an old reply to an even older question, but I know this issue keeps coming up and I just stumbled onto the thread.
This error is generally caused by parameter 59 set to something other than 1020. Solve by opening Motion Mechanic (you may need to select Controller/Restart w/ Inits in order to get > sign), type QC, select edit/select all/copy and then paste into notepad just in case you have a typo later and need to reset everything.
Go back into motion mech, type this exactly
59 GI .
and hit enter (it is parameter number <space> GI (get integer)<space>period)
It will probably read 20. You can also scroll through your QC above or in notepad to see what 59 is set to.
To change this parameter to enable graphics mode, in Motion Mechanic type this exactly
1020 59 Set_Integer
and hit enter. Then to double check (mostly ocd) repeat GI)
59 GI .
This time it should say 1020
Next type Cold and hit enter (make sure machine area is clear and z-brake is operative because machine will immediately reboot)
Open keypad emulator and you should have full remote display and control. 1020 in parameter 59 also allows you to use the graphics functions of the keypads which have a G at they end of the model number on the back. Works well on a windows tablet too, only problem is you lose the mechanical e-stop. I use the emulator with Virtual Desktop and network cameras to run test operations on multicams I repair remotely in VR. Gives me full machine control from anywhere in the world.
Re: multicam 3000 - running cnc without controller
You might be able to change parameter 60 to 2 but you might still run into the issue of not having the correct inits and firmware to run the system without the keypad.....
Re: multicam 3000 - running cnc without controller
that keypad emulator doesn't work for the 3000 series. I've been down that path before with multicam service techs and it just ends with disappointment.
i'd dropped these keypads and they're pretty rugged. I HAVE thought i broke it before, but if you open up the controller you'll notice that the board itself may have just unseated itself from the pin connector. Another time, the solder points on the backside of the board where the communication cable connects just needed to be resoldered and I was up&running.
