Machine stops

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jimchi52
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Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:56 pm
Model of CNC Machine: rockcliff d

Machine stops

Post by jimchi52 »

I have mach 3 and a ethernet smoothstepper. Today I was running the program a second time and it just stopped. Had restart mach and smoothstepper. Any ideas. It cut the same program earlier today and ran fine

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martin54
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Re: Machine stops

Post by martin54 »

Not really much info to go on :lol: :lol:

Does this computer do anything other than run mach3 ?

What operating system are you running & Is the operating system optimised for mach3 ?

There are quite a few things that could have caused your problem but without knowing more about your system & set up it is really just guess work :lol: :lol:

jimchi52
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Re: Machine stops

Post by jimchi52 »

Windows7 not sure what you mean by optimised

ger21
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Re: Machine stops

Post by ger21 »

Today I was running the program a second time and it just stopped
Were there any error messages?
Did Mach3 freeze?

Hard to say without a lot more information, but often this is due to electrical issues, like ground loops or static buildup.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

NormanAlbert
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Re: Machine stops

Post by NormanAlbert »

Hi: Hope you don't have the router on the same power supply as the computer. Stray RF noise can cause such issues. Norm

jimchi52
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Re: Machine stops

Post by jimchi52 »

No errors just that the smoothstepper stopped talking

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zeeway
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Re: Machine stops

Post by zeeway »

My issues were greatly reduced after grounding my control and computer and dust collection hose to a common ground.

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martin54
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Re: Machine stops

Post by martin54 »

Mach3 doesn't play well with others so really best to use it on a computer where nothing else is going on, when I say optimised I mean everything that can be done to prevent possible problems with Mach3.

My control computer is a cheap second hand machine that doesn't have a particularly fast cpu & only has a small amount of ram (3 or 4 gig I think) since mach3 is the only program installed you don't need a high end machine to run it. Mine is actually overkill for mach3 but it was what I had lying about at the time.
Everything in windows that isn't needed to run the computer has been removed or turned off, no internet connection so no need for auto updates to be set or anti virus software to be installed, sleep mode, screen savers & other power settings such as turn off monitor after a period of time have all been disabled.

You have been a member for a while so guessing you have had & been using your machine for a while, so have you had problems like this in the past & have you made any changes to your set up recently ??

jimchi52
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Re: Machine stops

Post by jimchi52 »

How do post a pic of my error

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martin54
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Re: Machine stops

Post by martin54 »

Below the box you type in is an option to upload attachment, when you select that you will get a pop up box which you can then navigate to where you have the picture saved. Open the picture & select attach file, once you have done that you will get the option to place it inline. i.e. inside the box you type in :lol: :lol:

There are suggestions on what size to make the pictures before upload as there is a limit but can't remember what they are, search on the forum should give you the required info.

jimchi52
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Re: Machine stops

Post by jimchi52 »

I tried that and it says the image file is invalud

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martin54
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Re: Machine stops

Post by martin54 »

what file format is the image you are trying to post ? try posting the image as a jpeg as I think they upload OK

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