Multicam SF Series machine won't home

[RFG88]

So I have a 2 head Multicam SF series machine, and today when I tried to rehome it, in froze when trying to find the z2 home. Is there a fix I could do whether it's just unplugging the 2nd spindle, or would it be better to call a tech to come look at it?

Thanks

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[NSchlee]

Might be the Z nut, I have MC Pro with 2 heads and depending on use I have to clean the Z nuts every 6 months or so due to debris. One of the weak points of some MC machines is the zero backlash plastic Z nuts.

Neal

[RFG88]

I can manually move the head up and down by turning the z screw by hand, but it won't move when trying to move it on the controller.

[NSchlee]

Have you loosened the motor coupler and see if the motor runs when finding home?

[RFG88]

I removed the stepper motor from the machine, but left the wires connected to see if it would spin when trying to find home, and nothing. It seems like the motor locks up when it receives power.

[NSchlee]

have you tried using the other Z motor to see if it runs when connected? If the second Z motor does not run then it may be the motor driver, I've had them go bad in the past. You can swap in a known good driver to help track down the problem. Some of the older stepper drivers MC used are no longer made. Another thing to check is the wiring continuity to motor. I've had the wiring go bad from stretching and flexing in the gantry causing intermittent motor problems.

[RFG88]

I did check the continuity of the wires to the motor and everything seemed good. I did not however swap the motors to test if thats the issue. The only other good motor I have is in the 1st head. Is there a way to force move the machine without having to re-home?

[NSchlee]

Not that I'm aware of. Ask Maurice, his contact info is on here, he's a MC Tech.

[MCPservice]

Good train of thought NSchlee....post a pic of the control cabinet...I can tell you which cables to move.

[RFG88]

I just got off the phone with a multicam tech, and he suggested my stepper card for z2 was bad. I plugged the z1 head into the z2 stepper card, and it froze just as the z2 head initially did. So my stepper card for z2 is bad then? Where could I purchase a replacement?

[MCPservice]

Its a Pacific Scientific stepper card....
https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/pro...tepper-drives/

Check here....The drives are still manufactured.

[NSchlee]

Make sure the new drivers dip switch settings match the old drivers settings before powering up.

[RFG88]

I ordered the new stepper drive. It is going to take 4 weeks to be delivered. Is there a way I can run the machine with only using one head? I mean I know i can but in order to use the machine at all I have to rehome it, and it still tries to find z2 home. Can I disconnect that some how?

[NSchlee]

Not sure if this will work, but would be interesting to see if it does. Try at your own risk. Since it's a open loop stepper system with no feed back other than the proximity switches, have you tried placing a pc. of metal close to the proximity switch when it's trying to find home on the #2 Z? It may signal the controller that it has found home and move on, allowing you to cut with the #1 spindle. If it works you would not want to use the Z's parking feature and make sure your tool path files do not specify any #2 spindle tools. And make sure the controller is NOT set for ALL Z's when cutting.