Installing 3.8 On New Windows 7 Computer

[Jerome]

I have a PRS Alpha with an Automatic Tool changer and spindle, Purchased in 2010.

I am getting com errors every once in a while using an older Dell with XP.

I am getting ready to take the plunge and install 3.8.6 on it and switch out the Dell for a new Windows 7 machine.

Any suggestions on issues I may run into.

Thanks
Jerome

[jerry_stanek]

You may want to try the dell running 3.8. My old HP runs it fine with no com errors. Also we have seen that some to the multi core computers don't like 3.8

[adrianm]

I'll second that. I run an old Dell with XP and 3.8.6 runs like a charm on it.

[Jerome]

I had some problems with the old Dell about a year ago so I don't know know how dependable it is.

I think I may put 3.8 on both that way if I have problems I can switch computers.

[jerry_stanek]

Remember that each time you switch you have to do a firmware update to match the computer to the controller.

[Jerome]

I knew I would have to upgrade the firmware with the new 3.8 software but I didn't know it had to be updated when I changed computers.

I will try to remember that if I have to revert to the old dell

I did the upgrade yesterday afternoon and it went off without a hitch. So far everything seems to be working like it should.

They do seem to have the jog speed set too high. Mine was set on 12 and I slowed it down to 6.

One reason I have been putting the upgrade off was I thought I might have to recalibrate the tool changer and that is not a fun job. I was able to copy the old settings over so that saved a couple of hours.

Thanks for the help
Jerome

[bleeth]

Your machine should jog at 12ips very easily. Set up a jogging tryout routine by just drawing a bunch of line and arc segments connected and going all over your table and cut along vectors with an air cut. If you end up losing steps it means your axes are out of square or rollers not adujusted or something like that.

[Jerome]

I had not seen the bot move that fast before. It was a bit scary when it took off at 12 ips. I will try your suggestion

Thanks
Jerome

[bleeth]

I know what you mean. My machine when new jogged max at 4ips but when I went to Gecko's it got 10ips on a PRT Standard chassis and motors.
It took hours for the grin to come off my face!!

[Jerome]

I took the plunge and upgraded to 3.8.6 on a new Windows 7 HP computer.

I don't want to brag too soon but I worked the bot pretty hard this weekend without a single problem.

I removed every program from the HP and used the Black Viper suggestions for shutting down any unnecessary services on the HP.

Everything seems to work smoother than it did with 2.6, one thing I really like is 3.8 remembers where I loaded the last cut file. 2.6 would always start in the SbParts folder.

I did take one precaution, I did the install on a weekday so I could get help if I needed it. I didn't have to call but it was comforting to know they were there if I needed them.

One very small problem came up when changing tools and when zeroing the tools in the rack. The carraige was returning to X0 during the operation. I emailed Shopbot and Nate sugessted I remark out that line and I was in business.

Thanks for the suggestions
Jerome

[GlenP]

I know what you mean. My machine when new jogged max at 4ips but when I went to Gecko's it got 10ips on a PRT Standard chassis and motors.
It took hours for the grin to come off my face!!

Dave, what are you running now...standard or alpha? Interesting how your PRT machine would jog at 10 ips yet my PRS Standard machine will not ??? That fact has always been in my mind...actually drives me nuts at time. :confused:

[ssflyer]

Glen,

My PrsAlpha jogs at 12ips, even with the old software - Is there that much difference betwen the Alpha and Standard?

Sounds more like a comm issue between your cpmputer ans control box, perhaps?

[jerry_stanek]

I can jog at 10 without any problems I even surface at 10 this is on a PRS Standard

[bleeth]

When I rebuilt the rails and gantry to PRS style My max jog went down to 8 safely, but by then my motors were near 6 years old. This is due to the increased mass of the gantry from a PRT style. I just received my next upgrade, a new Alpha control box and 7.2/1 Alpha motors that I will be engaging "soon" but we also just moved the shop and I am burdened with much electrical and organization stuff while still getting some production out. I think a 12ips jog with a PRS Alpha is conservative. I know folks who hit 16+, but jog is only a small part of the story since you spend more time cutting. That, of course, is highly dependent on tool, fee, speed, and material, as well as the design. No matter what you have complicated 2.5D carving is limited by ramping needs, for example. Maxing out cutting speeds is best done with a close eye to Brady's info on adjusting ramping to match the project.
It also has much to do with whether you really want/need to push it to the limits. I actually set most cut speeds fairly conservatively to minimize tool breakage and get best cut qualities. For example, I really don't want to cut out my cab parts so fast that I have to sand the edges that need banding.

[GlenP]

Ron. My PRS is circa 2007 and I think, and this is just my opinion but when the first PRS standard machine went out they had the 1.5amp motors and now they use 2 amp. I have always felt the motors are under sized to move the weight of this new PRS gantry. I am thinking of ordering the newer 2.0 amp motors to see if in fact does help.

Jerry- What year is your machine? DOes it have the 2 amp motors?

While I am bantering here it has also bugged me that my 4 x 8 machine didnt have centre leg when they were first built but now have the centre leg. It is $600 USD plus shipping for the centre leg kit to upgrade my machine. IMHO the fact that they now but them in the PRS machines tells me there was a issue and required them so why not give us first buyers of this style the leg kit....call it a recall. Or at least offer it at a reasonable price. And again imho $600 is not reasonable.

As to the 3.8 software. I have been using it with almost no issues. I did make a boo boo yesterday and forgot to zero a bit after a bit change and the machine tried to drive a .25 endmill into the table. I was right there to stop the machine but before I could hit stop or keyboard the shopbot control software completely shut down. I had to restart (open) the software to continue. It was weird. I would have never thought that is the machine starts growling due to trying to take too much material out that is wold close the software. I have tried to simulate it again without the growling or driving the bit into the table but have not been successful.