Stopping cut in mid file!

[gcox2]

Help.........First time this has happened. Brought a .dxf file into partworks and made a .crv with all of the toolpaths for the article. I have a buddy pr48 with spindle. After I access the shopbot software I am asked to hit the remote stop button and this will stop sometimes but not all the time. I am taking an "air" cut to begin just to be sure I don't mess up again. It sometimes goes thru 3/4 of the file and other times it stops right away. I've taken the box apart with the remote stop button and checked the connections and all seems ok. My wife hopes I can fix it soon because she is fed up with me!

[Rick W]

Gary, If I'm hearing you right. You want to stop in the middle of a file, use the space bar on your keyboard instead.

Rik

[Rick W]

Or the s key!

Rik

[gcox2]

Rick
It's not that I want to stop in mid file, it just does it randomly. It seems more like there is a short or something in the remote stop button. I've actually stopperd using the remote stop button except in extreme circumstances because it causes me to loose my x, y, and z positions.

[garyc]

Gary...
Use of the Emergency stop button should be reserved for just that, an emergency. Once pressed, the Estop button, the SB3 software, SB Control box and sometimes the control computer should all be shut down and then restarted. The spacebar should be used to pause a file, but is not 100% reliable to maintaining position due to a couple other condtions. I alway try to have users restart the file, if possible.

The stop in mid file with input 4 flashing can be a result of static and/or a low communication rate. Can you provide your machine model info and which version of the SB3 software you are running?

[gcox2]

Gary

Thank you for your response. I have a PRSalpha BT48 and am running 3.6.38 shopbot software, version 4G and Later, copyright 1996-2010.

I've been on the phone with tech support and he had me go through the control box and unplug various blocks and short across the pins. I felt sorry for the tech having to deal with a non-electrical guy but he was patient with me! Anyway the bottom line was that he decided that I should send in my motherboard in the control box and maybe that would be it?? I don't mind doing that if it might turn out to be the problem, but the tech said that usually was not the problem. Sooooooo, here I am stuck with a machine that won't function. HELP
Gary

[gcox2]

well, The tech (from shopbot) went through the routine again and pretty much eliminated the obvious things (not obvious to me!) so we decided to detach the mother board and send it in. I did so yesterday and hope to hear from them soon:)

I'll keep those interested in the loop as soon as I know what the loop is!
Gary

[MogulTx]

They turned my board around FAST when I sent it in to them. I needed it back really quickly because of the jobs I was running- and they helped me out a bunch. ( The lightning strike that took out my chips on my board and my 5V power supply was a real bummer!!).

I hope it works out well and without a major incident! Good luck.

MGM

[gcox2]

ok.......got the board back today!!!! Going to re-install it tomorrow. Let your know the outcome.

Gary

[MogulTx]

EXCELLENT! Best of luck on getting her running properly again!

(What did ShopBot indicate that they found? Dead IC's?)

MGM

[MogulTx]

Weeeeelllllll? Updates????

(Crosses fingers for you!)

[gcox2]

MGM

I replaced the motherboard yesterday and almost had a stroke when it responded the same way befor I sent it in! the Input 4 light was blinking again indicating the remote stop button was on.........well, it was. So as of now I have been able to run files without problems.

Shopbot invoice indicated this:

Relay Forced Guided
5NO+1NC, 24VDC

I don't have a clue what these are so I will call tomorrow to see if it was something I caused or if is just the price of doing business

[gcox2]

I posted a reply yesterday but can't see it! oh well, here;s the short version......

Got the motherboard in and it worked (after messing around for an hour!). the invoice from shopbot read:

Relay Forced Guided
5NO+1NC, 24VDC

Don't know what this means but I'm going to call shopbot today to see if it was me who caused this or whatever!

Gary

[MogulTx]

Hmmm. I think that is a code indicating that are 5 "Normally Open" and 1 "Normally Closed" (switches/relays?) and no idea what they are saying they had to do! I hope it was exotic so you will feel good about the $ you spent!


OH_ And I can see BOTH responses now... surprise. surprise!

Glad you are cutting again!

[gcox2]

Talked to Scott, a tech at shopbot to ask if it was caused by my actions and he said that no, even though it is not a good idea to use the remote stop button unless all fails. He said that this happens occasionally and that these relays failed and it was not likely to happen again! (I don't think I could handle that)

Anyway that's the story and I'm sticking to it.

Gary