2 problems....any advice

[JohnG]

1st problem...... Why does my "unit values" keep switching to the wrong settings? I notice the values have reverted when I Zero my axis's and my "Z" is sitting 2 &1/2" above my material & the controller says 1"?

2nd........My machine makes ALOT of , shall we say GROWLING noises. Seems it does this mostly when its moving in small increments....or maybe when its doing a couple movements at the same time. Definately makes you take notice, and think that something may be out of align......but when moved manually it seems to roll fine. As for alignment, I'm as close as 1/16 of an inch on the x axis (8 ft measuring opposite corners). Possibly this is just normal? The x & y are the worst. The z is somewhat nosier than what I would think normal also, but the x & y actually scare me.

Thanks in advance,
John

EDIT: I should have put this in the "Troubleshooting" section......sorry.

[ken_rychlik]

How are you setting the unit values before they seem to switch back on their own?

What are your UV's set at and what year and model machine are you using?

If you have an older prt that has not been upgraded to the 4g, the motors are very loud and yes it seems as though they are growling and fixing to come apart. This is normal for the older prt's.

If you have a newer machine, then it could be a problem with it.

Kenneth

[JohnG]

re-setting the unit values, I go to the utilities tab on the shopbot console & (r) reset the unit values for my correct size machine. This does the trick, but these setting always seem to revert back to the original settings.

As for the "racket" vs age of my machine.....this is a new machine.

[JohnG]

Forgot to add....

I have a prs standard 96-60-6 with a spindel. This is a brand new machine.

[Gary Campbell]

John...
A few things that will help diagnose your problem:
What version of SB3 are you running? Have you upgraded/downgraded lately?
What model of machine do you have? Need more info than "new"

When using [U] [R] do you reset defaults or load the settings for your machine from the list?

[ken_rychlik]

The registry of your pc holds some of the unit value info and you may need to go into there and delete that info.

That is why some of them revert back to old values.

If you are not comfortable with the registry, tech support can talk you through it.

As for the growling racket, you may be able to play with the move and jog speeds to find a more "comfortable" speed for it, but other than that, I would call support for some help there also.

Is it an alpha or std and if it's std, does it have the aluminum control box, or more like a pc box?

Kenneth

[JohnG]

John...
A few things that will help diagnose your problem:
What version of SB3 are you running? Have you upgraded/downgraded lately?
What model of machine do you have? Need more info than "new"

When using [U] [R] do you reset defaults or load the settings for your machine from the list?

The SB3 is WorkShop Ver 3xx
-No upgrades or downgrades
-Machine bought in Dec 09
-prs standard


The registry of your pc holds some of the unit value info and you may need to go into there and delete that info.

That is why some of them revert back to old values.

If you are not comfortable with the registry, tech support can talk you through it.

As for the growling racket, you may be able to play with the move and jog speeds to find a more "comfortable" speed for it, but other than that, I would call support for some help there also.

Is it an alpha or std and if it's std, does it have the aluminum control box, or more like a pc box?

Kenneth

I spoke with tech support the week before last, and he corrected the unit values with me over the phone. The control box is a large aluminum box that hinges at the bottom (tech asked if it hinged at the bottom or side also). Since then, it keeps reverting back to the original settings.

As for the Move/Job speeds, I did play with that also. It didn't seem to make much difference.

[ken_rychlik]

the sb3xx doesn't give us any info.

There is 3.6.11

3.6.14

or whatever it actually is that you are running.

Did tech support talk you though cleaning out the registry when you changed the unit values?

Kenneth

[Gary Campbell]

John..
What operating system is on the control computer? This will let us know where the .ini file is located

Looks like you have a PRS std RBK

Look under [H]elp [A]bout and it will list the software version

I suggest doing a search and deleting all instances of "shopbot.ini"
Save or rename any modified user files in C:\Sbparts
Install latest version of SB3 software from the SB site
It will install as tho it has never been installed
select your proper machine and load defaults for it

[JohnG]

the sb3xx doesn't give us any info.

There is 3.6.11

3.6.14

or whatever it actually is that you are running.

Did tech support talk you though cleaning out the registry when you changed the unit values?

Kenneth

the version information must be on the install disk itself (its at the shop)?? I checked "properties" for SB3, and all that was listed is 3xx.

I checked through the software and found this...... any help???

[JohnG]

I clicked on the "Help"....then "About", and it said.....hey stupid, this is version 3.6.11

ugggg its late. (has that excuse been used before?)

[ken_rychlik]

The ini that list 6.11 is probably telling us you are running 3.6.11

I would follow Gary's suggestion with a fresh download of new software.

Somehow when it changed unit values, it has them saved and is reverting back to them. You have to get it cleaned out and do a fresh install to make it not do that anymore.

If your software that came with the machine ran fine and you want to use that, you can, but the new downloads "usually" run better.

Kenneth

[JohnG]

Thanks Gary & Ken....


John..
What operating system is on the control computer? This will let us know where the .ini file is located

Looks like you have a PRS std RBK

Look under [H]elp [A]bout and it will list the software version

I suggest doing a search and deleting all instances of "shopbot.ini"
Save or rename any modified user files in C:\Sbparts
Install latest version of SB3 software from the SB site
It will install as tho it has never been installed
select your proper machine and load defaults for it

Gary, my computer is running xp-pro.
I will give your suggestions a try. I didn't know I could install the latest version from the SB website. Thanks for the tips.

[JohnG]

Thanks again....I'm sure your software tips will get me fixed up. The unit values are more of a nuisance than anything else.


The "growling" drive motors are another story. This can't be normal. When I was in NC for training, I think I would have remembered that racket.
I'll talk to tech support tomorrow.

Thanks again.

[ken_rychlik]

I had an issue with mine, when things were not square and free. The motors were basically fighting each other when I pulled it square before turning the power on to my controller. After I got the mechanicals fine tuned, the motors run more free and smooth.

I don't know if this could be affecting yours, but maybe.

Here is the place for the latest download of the sb3. They are up to 3.6.18 but I am running 3.6.14 with no issues on mine.
http://www.shopbottools.com/controlsoftware.htm

It also gives some instructions there for removing the ini files.

Kenneth

[JohnG]

This is copied from the SB website....


Get the right version. If your control box is a large, aluminum box, you have a PRSalpha or PRTalpha. If your control box looks like a computer box (either beige or black), you have a PRSstandard or PRTstandard.

Mine is the large aluminum box, although I have a standard machine. Would the reason be that I have the spindel? So basically I have an Alpha control box that is configured as a Standard? :D

[zeykr]

To find the version, click on the help menu then 'about'.

In the program files/shopbot/diagnostics there is a speedtest.exe program. Run it and let us know what your transmission efficiency is. Shopbot tech has told me that slow communications from the pc can cause a growling sound. I get it in certian instances with my alpha.

[JohnG]

I'll check that out Ken. Thanks for the input.

[jerry_stanek]

I thought after the 4g series they started using the aluminum boxes on the standard also. If yours is new then it most likely is a standard.

[ken_rychlik]

It used to be that if you had the aluminum box it was alpha, but they both have the same type of box now.

Those were some older instructions and they just apply to older machines.

Kenneth