Major Issue - Software or Machine?

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WaltS
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Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by WaltS »

Yesterday things worked fine. Today, not. I tried to cut a toolpath after I had gotten a new bit. I entered the bit in the DB just like others. Saved the toolpath just like others. The material setup is at 0,0 datum. The preview shows it perfectly. The actual piece, not. I had cut this exact same toolpath before, with a different bit, no problem.

1. The spindle did not turn on - it was turned on at the machine, but when I ran the cut it did not come on. I didn't know it because of the dust boot and vac noise until after. Note - the spindle came on and ran fine during the warmup routine just before.

2. The 0,0 points were not the same. Software was at bottom left corner. What actually happened looked like something, either software or machine, thought X,0 was in the middle.

3. I had X,Y zeroed the machine to the bottom left corner before running the cut.

4. The red diagonal line in the preview is because I have my machine set to return to the middle of the cutting area, and that's also where it starts.

Pics and cut file attached. Baffled.
Attachments
nspreview.JPG
nsbad.jpg
V-Carve NS 60 1-4 010 tip Ons.txt
(213.15 KiB) Downloaded 251 times

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Turtle49
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by Turtle49 »

If the preview shows fine in Vcarve, the issue typically will be in your machine or control software.
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by 4DThinker »

Triple check that you used the correct post processor.

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Rcnewcomb
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by Rcnewcomb »

The code you posted uses a custom command C6 to turn on the spindle. Is that custom command set up in your ShopBot control software? Otherwise you may need to select a different post processor
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by garylmast »

Every once in a while my machine will do the same thing. I unplug it from the power, then have to type M3S18000 in the input line (I'm using Mach 3), which starts the spindle, which usually solves the problem. I haven't figured why it does it, but a least I know how to fix it. Gary

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WaltS
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by WaltS »

It is the Shopbot version of VCP, there is only the Shopbot post processor to choose from. I have made no modifications to it.

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scottp55
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by scottp55 »

Try an aircut today doing everything the same.
Is DC hose grounded with bare braided copper wire all the way back to a decent ground at the vac with none of it touching the Desktop? Static season.
Make sure you've taken the USB out and cleaned.
Has your packet ET changed? Should be below 20.
If none of the above, shut EVERYTHING down and unplug for about 20 minutes, boot back up, and in SB3 run a UR from command line/ then a UI/ then type VN and make sure your limit switches are still on.
Is DC hose bumping against the spindle power cord?
That's all I can think of.
Good luck Walt!
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WaltS
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by WaltS »

ShopBot support came through quickly with the answer. It had to do with the tool number (35) I had used. Complete answer here for other SB owners:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showth ... post194560

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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by IslaWW »

Walt...
Sorry.. I am not ShopBot support, but I was fortunate enough to be able to assist the ShopBot R & D group back in 2009 in writing and testing the code for their MTC system. Call me an experienced user, not factory support.

I wrote a 2 part article regarding ShopBot's Virtual Toolchanger on the ShopBot Blog in 2009. Here is a link to part 1: http://www.shopbotblog.com/2009/06/the- ... olchanger/
Gary Campbell
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GCnC411 (at) gmail.com

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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by WaltS »

Thanks Gary. I had no idea that the tool numbers meant anything except to a tool changer, which I don't have, so I didn't worry about it. The reason I was numbering my bits was so when the prompt comes up "is tool # such and such installed" I could glance at my bit holder and confirm I had the correct bit in the machine. But being I have more than 19 bits that idea won't work now, from what I just learned. And yes, per your other post, it was "operator error", not machine or software. There's a lot I don't know, and never will know.

Thanks for the link. All that is way over my head, but was interesting reading none the less.

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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by martin54 »

There's a lot I don't know, and never will know

That's true for a lot of us Walt but on the bright side you know more now than you did a couple of days ago so your heading in the right direction :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by Adrian »

I rewrote the MTC routines in my ShopBot software a few years ago to get rid of that limitation. Not sure why they still have that fixed as it's not something that would really apply to most people using manual tool changing routines and should be optional.

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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by WaltS »

Adrian, would you be willing to share how you did that? I don't need to go messing in there without some good guidance.

Martin, you are correct. If I don't learn something new everyday I'm a little unhappy.

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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by Adrian »

PM sent

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WaltS
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Re: Major Issue - Software or Machine?

Post by WaltS »

Thank you so much Adrian!

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