Desktop keeps stopping mid job

[Zamm]

Hello, I have had a Desktop model for about a month and it has stopped 4 times on the same part at different spots in the tool path. Most of the time a pop up on the comp says that the tool isn't connected and offers to switch to preview mode. I called Shopbot tonight right as they were closing, we went over a bunch of things such as:

-Dust collection grounding problem: Can't be since it is cutting nothing and the vac has not been connected

-Turning off virus protection: did that on the last run

-Turning off all other programs: I only run the shopbot software while cutting

-Changing the USB port it plugs into: This is the 3rd port I have tried

I bought a new Dell Inspiron with Windows 7 only to run this machine. After getting off the phone I changed the USB, restarted the computer, turned off the virus software and ran the same program. It got relatively far for the piece and stopped cutting at about 3 minutes. This time the computer still thought the machine was running since the pop up didn't come up and the "Stop" button was still an option to click off.

I don't know what to do at this point. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[jerry_stanek]

check to see if the usb power management is set correctly

[scottp55]

Kevin, Have you checked all the usual suspects? Is it connected to the Internet/screensaver/windows update/ANY UPDATES set to NEVER and power settings set to NEVER TURN OFF?
Joe wrote a good one. Link in this thread.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20757
Have you read Steve W's thread and tried some of those?http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20757
Lots of stuff out there in the forum or google search "let'stalkshopbot" about "lost comms"
Hope this helps.
scott

[Zamm]

Thanks, I will check those links. I know I have my comp set to not sleep for an hour untouched. But I will change all the settings to never turn and sleep since I only use this comp while the machine is cutting.

[scottp55]

Don't forget to let us know what it was Kevin.
Hope you're going soon:)

[Zamm]

I finally got around to testing it out again. Shopbot suggested putting the computer on a different circuit. I used the one with the best grounding. The Machine stopped in the same spot as last time! The screen said it couldn't locate the machine. It's starting to feel like I bought an expensive boat anchor.

I will read through more articles and try more possible solutions. I have cut the tool path a couple times before with no problems.

[Brady Watson]

Kevin,
The Winter can be brutal on machines due to high voltage static electricity. This can occur from the material being cut, but most likely from any kind of dust collection you have running. Are you running dust collection? What material are you cutting?

It is very important to have your dust collection system grounded for CNC duty using a bare copper wire. I have posted about this ad nauseam.

The other thing that is a major source of disconnects is the computer itself. Can you list brand/specs/OS? You should not have the ShopBot plugged into a USB 3.0 SS port. It should be 2.0.

Don't worry...it'll all work out.

-B

[Zamm]

Kevin,
The Winter can be brutal on machines due to high voltage static electricity. This can occur from the material being cut, but most likely from any kind of dust collection you have running. Are you running dust collection? What material are you cutting?

It is very important to have your dust collection system grounded for CNC duty using a bare copper wire. I have posted about this ad nauseam.

The other thing that is a major source of disconnects is the computer itself. Can you list brand/specs/OS? You should not have the ShopBot plugged into a USB 3.0 SS port. It should be 2.0.

Don't worry...it'll all work out.

-B

Thanks Brady, I don't have the dust collection connected or running since it has not made a new cut yet. I am cutting wood. I bought a new Dell Inspiron with Windows 7 only to run this machine.

[scottp55]

Kevin, Did you re-read Steve Wonsers post of the 11'th?
Here is the link that helped him solve his problem.
http://www.fixedbyvonnie.com/2013/11/fix-usb-root-hub-power-management-issue-windows-7/

At that particular point in the file, check the position on the line code and manually move it to that position and closely check all wire connections to see if something is rubbing. On mine once, at a certain position the dust hose hit the upper Z prox wire and caused a disconnect, when I did my Z upgrade, I had too much slack in the same wire, and the cable chain brushed it at one point.
One other thing to check, On Mine, when the Z-plate is pushed in ALL the way apparently there is a single spot where it grounds out and interrupts the cut(very intermittent and only happened 3 times), Cannot seem to isolate that single point and nothing is visible:( simple solution was to NOT slam it into the slot, but leave it out a 1/4" and it NEVER happens:)
Think its most likely a computer issue, but just a couple things to check.
Good luck,
scott

[Brady Watson]

http://www.fixedbyvonnie.com/2013/11/fix-usb-root-hub-power-management-issue-windows-7/


Good one...

-B

[Zamm]

Kevin, Did you re-read Steve Wonsers post of the 11'th?
Here is the link that helped him solve his problem.
http://www.fixedbyvonnie.com/2013/11/fix-usb-root-hub-power-management-issue-windows-7/

At that particular point in the file, check the position on the line code and manually move it to that position and closely check all wire connections to see if something is rubbing. On mine once, at a certain position the dust hose hit the upper Z prox wire and caused a disconnect, when I did my Z upgrade, I had too much slack in the same wire, and the cable chain brushed it at one point.
One other thing to check, On Mine, when the Z-plate is pushed in ALL the way apparently there is a single spot where it grounds out and interrupts the cut(very intermittent and only happened 3 times), Cannot seem to isolate that single point and nothing is visible:( simple solution was to NOT slam it into the slot, but leave it out a 1/4" and it NEVER happens:)
Think its most likely a computer issue, but just a couple things to check.
Good luck,
scott

Thanks Scott, I just did that and it got a bit further. I am very new to CNC so I don't know how to skip to that part. It is still stopping. I removed the flexi vac hose that Shopbot includes. I have had 2 runs since removing the hose and changing the power management settings. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

[Zamm]

Also the new warning is USB control box problem.

[scottp55]

Kevin, Don't know about that new USB control box problem. Haven't seen That one, BUT, do you have all of your wires and cables neatly wrapped and coiled tightly together?
DON'T!
Try separating and uncoiling the wires(especially USB to 'Bot) as I've seen other people mention "crosstalk" of even a few milli(micro?)volts is enough to interrupt comms.
One guy on Vectric had problems from an old radio, and another from his lighting ballast being fluky. If possible run the 'Bot from a dedicated circuit on your panel.
Just tossing stuff out I've read.
Keep trying,
scott

[ssflyer]

Yep, I was a little too anal when I setup my PRS Alpha the first time, keeping a my wiring in a neat little bundle... :eek:

And I KNOW better! :cool:

[ron_moorehead]

Hi,

I saw in one of the messages that you had bought a Dell Computer. Brady Watson, had posted in another topic this:

"Dell has crappy USB hardware. Upgrade to a 2.0 expansion card and plug the bot into that. Your problems should go away with it on it's own non-shared bus."

You can find the topic here:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20906

About transferring files.

[Zamm]

Thanks guys! I do not have the wires neatly wrapped. I have a brand new dedicated circuit just for the machine. The guys at shopbot read my problem log and had me do an update and run some diagnostics. They said it looked great. I tried again and it got a bit further and stopped again.

Shopbot mentioned possible EM interference.

I will buy a separate USB 2.0 card it's worth a shot. I have a feeling it is the computer. I will let you guys know how it turns out.

[Zamm]

I have not found a USB 2.0 port locally yet. A friend mentioned trying to get the machine to run with the spindle at 0 so it doesn't spin and increase the Z zero so it cuts mid air to see if it finishes the cycle. The part has 3 steps down and it didn't even finish in the first step this time.

I turned the comp and CNC off after that. I just tried it again and when I used the key pad to move the X axis it moved about an inch then stopped moving with no pop up on the comp.

A side note, Shopbot mentioned to make sure the USB cable is not looped or running against the power cord. It is not touching or near the power cord and is in a U shape.

[shilala]

I thought maybe you had USB hubs stacked on the same IRQ, but then saw you were running Windows 7. It does a great job allocating resources.

I'd suggest uninstalling your control software and reinstalling it.
Then reboot your computer and Bot before you run the software.
Try changing the usb port your machine is plugged into.
Ideally, you'll do that when you power down your computer and before you restart it.

That stuff is just rudimentary troubleshooting, but it might help.

[Zamm]

Shopbot had me install an older version of the software.They said one or more of the driver motors might be bad. I installed the software and the firmware. when I open the program it says "Problem with response from Shopbot on Port 3. Shopbot seems present but is not responding. Check to make sure the control box is turned on?"

I am so shot with all this trouble shooting. I have only made 4 items on the machine since receiving it new in December.

[Zamm]

I thought maybe you had USB hubs stacked on the same IRQ, but then saw you were running Windows 7. It does a great job allocating resources.

I'd suggest uninstalling your control software and reinstalling it.
Then reboot your computer and Bot before you run the software.
Try changing the usb port your machine is plugged into.
Ideally, you'll do that when you power down your computer and before you restart it.

That stuff is just rudimentary troubleshooting, but it might help.

Thanks, I have been through that multiple times.

[David Iannone]

Kevin,

No offense, but stop and think for a minute to make sure it is not operator error.

That has happened to me sometimes (operator error)

Dave

[scottp55]

Don't get too frustrated Kevin. Everybody hates trying to isolate problems like these(especially me as I don't understand all of it and learning as I go). Recently had a loose HDMI plug on my monitor That took me several hours to isolate as it was intermittent and I was ready to throw something through the door!! Turned out that it only happened when my computer swing shelf was in ONE position AND the Desktop was doing rapids in X. Piece of duct tape and two purple rubber bands cured it:) But I must have gotten out of the wheelchair and climbed under the Crate 2 dozen times to rearrange wires,swap out mice/keyboards/blow out and inspect connections etc.
One thing WAY back, was I had installed the desktop with the USB in 1 port, and when I moved the entire rig to the Crate, I plugged it into another port! Drove me Nutsos until I read that the Desktop doesn't LIKE that! So I checked my notes(start a log of EVERYTHING you change!!), found the original USB and "All Better"
Good luck, You'll get it, and it'll be WORTH IT!
scott

[Zamm]

Thanks for the support guys! I have a friend bringing another computer this week to lend me. I will treat the machine as if I just bought it and run through all the steps and see what happens.

[Brady Watson]

Great - let us know how you make out. Also, don't forget about Craigslist...you can often find a really good deal on a used one. Just make sure you wipe it and remove all the junk before you put it into CNC duty...

-B

[Zamm]

At this point I am convinced my machine has a serious problem.

I went back to the new software and had a couple of issues. First the Control box said EF instead of the speed. I turned it off and tried again ad the speed was showing. I ran the spindle at 100 for it's warm up. It stopped by itself at 12 min(I had a friend dropping off a new comp to test on, I normally stop it at 10 min) When I went to run it, it stopped after a minute cutting in the air with the spindle on.

I just ran it with the new computer setup by an IT friend of mine with all of the power down options turned off. Shopbot mentioned it might have EM interference, my dad works for an electronics company and brought me the proper items to stop EM Interference.

I got the new comp to do a full run in the air. After that I warmed up the spindle for 10 minutes. I zeroed it out again to cut. It moved about 2-4 inches when it stopped again.

I just e-mailed them but they will be closed for the weekend by now.

[Brady Watson]

EF on that VFD = 'External Fault'. Please check the physical connection at the spindle and the orange cable. Unlatch it, pull it out, re-seat it and re-latch...with the power OFF.

I would inspect the wiring below the VFD to make sure nothing got nicked pulling it out of the crate etc. There is the big orange composite cable that goes up to the spindle from the VFD, a power cable that comes out of the bottom, in addition to a smaller wire that is the actual trigger for the spindle. Make sure this little wire isn't "hurt" in some way.

On the new computer, it is imperative that you install the firmware for the outboard controller via the UI command. Otherwise the machine will run unreliably or not at all. It MUST match the control software installed.

-B

[Zamm]

Great news!!! Shopbot sent Chris to my house to inspect the machine. He couldn't find the actual issue, but he did agree it was not operating properly. He changed the entire circuit board setup and USB cable. After that we ran the machine all day with no problems!!!!

This is why I chose Shopbot, they are known for their customer service and went above and beyond for me!!!

Thank you to Ted, Chris, Jeremy and Frank at Shopbot!

[scottp55]

Great news Kevin!!
I keep telling people they're NOT JUST buying a machine when they go Shopbot:)
A load off your mind I bet:)
scott

[Zamm]

Great news Kevin!!
I keep telling people they're NOT JUST buying a machine when they go Shopbot:)
A load off your mind I bet:)
scott

You have no idea, I am going to stay very busy now :)

[shilala]

Great news!!! Shopbot sent Chris to my house to inspect the machine. He couldn't find the actual issue, but he did agree it was not operating properly. He changed the entire circuit board setup and USB cable. After that we ran the machine all day with no problems!!!!

This is why I chose Shopbot, they are known for their customer service and went above and beyond for me!!!

Thank you to Ted, Chris, Jeremy and Frank at Shopbot!
Shopbot kicks ass. Period.