CNC stops randomly while cutting

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berrows@comcast.net
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Model of CNC Machine: probotix fireball 90

CNC stops randomly while cutting

Post by berrows@comcast.net »

HI, the machine is on it's own power source, but continues to stop wherever! I do a restore in Mach3 quite often but doesn't seem to work. My machine is a Fireball V90, driver is Probotix using Mach3 software. Anyone have a clue on how to fix this...thankyou for any and all help.

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TReischl
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Re: CNC stops randomly while cutting

Post by TReischl »

Not sure this will help, but years ago I had a similar problem. Machine would just flat stop, varied from day to day, hour to hour.

Turned out that the stepper drives were overheating and the thermal sensor would kick them off line, it was a gecko g540.

Sooo, if you think that might be it, try putting a small fan blowing on your drivers. Worked wonders on mine.
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns

berrows@comcast.net
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Model of CNC Machine: probotix fireball 90

Re: CNC stops randomly while cutting

Post by berrows@comcast.net »

Thankyou for your reply. I understand what you said, I just think it's something else. My reasoning is, when cutting, it's not uncommon for me to cut more than 18,000 lines and believe me those motors get HOT and it never faltered. Besides, today I just started up the machine and they weren't even warm yet, so I have no clue! But thank you again for your help...good cutting...Doug

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Adrian
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Re: CNC stops randomly while cutting

Post by Adrian »

All motors get hot when working so it's hard to tell by hand what is too hot.

Other possibilities are static or the computer. Is the machine grounded? I had random issues with mine which were solved by grounding the frame to a 4ft copper spike and running a copper wire through the dust extraction hose to the same spike.

Have you turned off auto updates for Windows and other software if the computer is connected to the internet?

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TReischl
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Re: CNC stops randomly while cutting

Post by TReischl »

I was not talking about the motors.

The stepper drivers.

In other words, check that the electronics are not over heating. BTW, the gecko was not even warm to the touch.
"If you see a good fight, get in it." Dr. Vernon Johns

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Re: CNC stops randomly while cutting

Post by ger21 »

Is Mach3 stopping? Or does Mach3 continue to run, and the machine stops moving?
If Mach3 is stopping, there will usually be some type of error message on the screen.
Gerry - http://www.thecncwoodworker.com

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adze_cnc
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Re: CNC stops randomly while cutting

Post by adze_cnc »

What we know so far:
  • machine has own power source
  • machine is Fireball v90; Probotix driver; Mach 3
  • "restoring" Mach 3 doesn't seem to help
  • stops even when motors are not hot
Nothing at all about the nature of "stops randomly"—such as does the machine stop moving and the spindle keeps running? spindle stops running? spindle goes back to z top? Mach 3 freezes up? does that machine eventually start again of it's own accord?

Basically anything at all regarding the nature of the problem. Without that kind of information you might as well try to divine the solution via reading tea leaves or casting chicken bones.

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