Newbie with an oldie PR

[nailzscott]

I just picked up an old cable drive PR warthog frame with shopbot. I bought it from a guy who got it from an estate sale. Nothing came with it except the machine, control box, and computer with software loaded. The estate family apparently did not save anything else for it. So here I am starting from scratch and would appreciate any help you can offer. Using the old DOS software, I cycled (move/jog) x, y, and z axis. All seems to work except x has a problem. It travels fine at it's higher speed if moving a long distance - say 5"; but when it starts to slow down, it will begin slowing down to a crawl, getting slower and slower, but never reaching the end of the travel. To test the encoder, I slid the chain off of the encoder and moved/jogged the x. Seems to run fine at high speed with encoder disconnected. I always have to hit space bar, with or without encoder, to stop x travel. Goal is to switch x and y encoders this weekend to see if problem switches from x to y. Anyone have any ideas as to what could be the problem? Thanks. I've read for hours on this forum and other resources. I have many more questions, but this is the most pressing at the moment.

[billp]

Scott,
When you say "cable drive/PR frame"does that mean you still have the cables on this rig? If so there is a command ( you can probably find it in the old manuals online somewhere) to accommodate the "stretch"of the cables. If the cables came with this machine they are probably very old, and worn out. In that case you have to "calibrate" the machine very often as the machine will NOT travel as far as you tell it to go.You will first tell the machine to move a specific distance, ans then measure how far it REALLY went. You'll enter that second number into the calibration routine, and it will make the adjustments for you. I believe you can still buy cable from Shopbot, and if I were you I would certainly do so...

[nailzscott]

I have not been able to find the old manuals online (if someone knows where they exist for this, please let me know), but I have seen how to calibrate the moves. But calibration of the x travel is not possible since it will never stop- just a slow down endless crawl in the x axis. That is the primary thing I need to get fixed first. Once I get that fixed, I can determine repeatability of the moves (and the stretch of the cables).

[billp]

Scott,
You should try to contact Shopbot directly and see if they can help you locate an old copy...

[nailzscott]

Bill,
I got it going today. I downloaded and installed shopbot 2.38, calibrated the machine and did a dry run through the ShopBot logo file that comes with the software. Everything looks tight. I am printing out the command documents now in order to see if they will help me start learning. I have emailed shopbot, but they say the manuals are hard to come by. I may start a new thread to search for documentation. Thanks for your help.

[ron_varela]

Scott I talked with my father today since he has every shopbot that was ever made.
If he can help in any way send him a an email and I will see he gets it.

Gean

[nailzscott]

Gean, Thanks for the response. Can you send me his email to my nailzscott54@hotmail.com (mailto:nailzscott54@hotmail.com) account? Thanks