Router doesn't turn on when "Start" is selected

[kartracer63]

I need your help here guys. I have a BT48 PRS Buddy.

Yesterday I upgraded my "Partworks" from V2.5 to V3. Today I went to carve a sign and the router didn't turn on when I hit the Start button to carve my first file.
The router went to the starting point of the carve and proceded to dig into the wood. After a closer look at what's going on here, I've noticed a small box (on my monitor) that says it's in preview mode. But, it's not in preview mode.

I'm not very familiar with the settings in my set-up. Actually I'm pretty stupid when it comes to that stuff. I'm really stumped and could sure use some help.

Thanks in advance,

[ken_rychlik]

Hit "alt 4" Then hit "alt 1" Does this start your router?

[kartracer63]

Yes, it turns on.

What next?

[Gary Campbell]

Eric...
Which post processor did you select when you saved the toolpath?

[kartracer63]

Gary,

Post Processor is: Shopbot TC(Inch)(*.sbp)

The only other choice in the dropdown was (metric)

[Ryan P]

The new Post uses C6 to turn the spindle on. What version control software are you using(newest version is 3.6.32)? If it is an older version try updating to the newest version http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/controlsoftware.htm . The newest version is also included in the download of PartWorks3. It does not install by default you would need to check the box to install Shopbot control software. If this does not start the spindle please give us a call. Shopbot does have after hour support by phone or email. If you leave a message someone will call you back.

[Gary Campbell]

Eric...
ShopBot is implementing a new system. The TC(inch) post uses custom 6 to call up the "MTC on" file to start the spindle. You must also have a variable "&ATC=0" line correct. I dont use or have PartWorks or any of the OEM posts on any of my machines, so I cant give you the proper stuff or direction.

What you can do is look in your Partworks folder and see if your former postP is in there. Copy it to the postP folder and you should be good to go. Or email/call tech support and they should get you going in a few minutes. Or, maybe someone that has PWks will chime in with the fix.

[ken_rychlik]

Eric, your old post that you used to use is still under the version 2.5 heading, if you want to copy it and paste it into the new 3.0 version.

If you want to download the newest SB3, it seems to be working pretty good for me.

If everyone is being pushed toward a tool change post p and they are not prepared for it, it could be interesting.:eek:

[Ryan P]

Since PartWorks2.5 the tool changer posts are the only post that have been installed. PartWorks 3 also has a new location for storing user data. The post folder is now located here C:\ProgramData\Vectric\PartWorks\V3.0. This folder can be opened from PartWorks, go to File and select to open Application data folder. You will see in the PostP folder there are only two post and a folder named old post. The Old post folder has all the posts that Shopbot has ever used. You should be able to find your older post in this folder and can move it to the PostP folder.

[kartracer63]

When I installed the V3 Partworks, I never installed the new version of SB.
I installed the new version of SB and was able to get everything working.

Although, it's quite different fromwhat I'm used to, I was able to cut my sign. So... thanks for getting me up and running again. You guys are the best.

Next question: (and maybe this is Ryan's specialty) If I liked the way my old post processor worked. Can I use the old post processor with the new versions of Partworks and SB? And will everything work just as it did before I upgraded to the new software? I'm a creature of habit and really liked things the way they were.

Thanks again guys for all the help,

[Gary Campbell]

Eric...
Quick answer, Yes. You may want to give the "new stuff" a try for a while. They do have some good stuff in there. You will always have the option to use your old postP if you move it into the correct folder as Ryan says above. You will have the option to select any from the drop list.

You can always modify either to add/modify features. There is a giude on this on the Vectric site.

Be advised that some modifications can be dangerous if done improperly.

[srwtlc]

Eric,

You can use your old postp file. I have been using my custom one for Aspire with the latest version and the beta with no issues. Just get things in the right place as stated.

On another note...

I don't like the direction that is being taking with this TC postp and the use of more custom cut files that lead to more files that lead to more..... I'm sure that they have their reasons (safety being one and actually making the toolchange work being another), but I can see this causing problems for more and more users. Most of us don't have toolchangers (can't afford one) and more of the (C)ustom cut numbers are being used leaving less for personal use (for actual custom cuts as initially intended). Yes, when you install SB3, you can choose not to over write your custom files, but how many people pay attention to that. It seems to me that things are getting to where it's easy to not have all the parts of the puzzle in place or have the wrong puzzle parts or have an error in any one of them. Why not move these two custom cut files to the higher numbers or better yet, make them "System" files that are integrated into SB3. Have you taken a look at the SBparts folder lately? Ya got folders of Custom, Custom Copy, Custom Old and all the files needed to make the TC setup work, it's easy to see where something could get mixed up. Time to clean things up a bit maybe.

Not everyone is computer savy enough to ferret out all these things without some help when things go wrong. Course that gives us something to do on the forum and keeps support on top their game. ;)

ENDRANT

Scott