Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

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Tlempicke
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Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by Tlempicke »

I have had my Acorn for over three years now. Since new it has has periods of intermittent faults and strange behaviors. It will run for months at a time just perfectly, then it will decide to loose steps and/or give an over torque fault and just stop moving. This usually starts when I slap a $60 piece of stock on the table! My latest problem was in the X axis. After changing motors (I have xtras from past problem solving sessions) checking all connections, tightening screws, etc. I finally saw the problem disappear when I swapped cables for the power supply between X andY axis. Ran just fine for about two weeks. This morning I trashed a piece of Micarta when the X axis gave a four blink fault and just stopped moving.
My SDSK motors are wired as per the schematic of four years ago. I am considering buying the C86 board and rewiring the whole interface. Is this likely to give any help?
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by tblough »

It might help if the motor hookup is the problem. Just guessing without a report to look at, but i suspect EMI is your actual problem.
Cheers,

Tom
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ShawnM
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by ShawnM »

As Tom stated I'm also betting you have a noise issue. We need a report to look at your error log. Are ALL your signal wires shielded AND grounded? VFD cable shielded and grounded ? Clearpath cables shielded and grounded? A C86 board will not help with noise issues and probably create more headaches before you actually get it working. Find your current problem before you add another.
Gary Campbell
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by Gary Campbell »

My guesses would be EMI first, and motor tune on the ClearPath motors second
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by suntravel »

Drive fault delay is 1000ms default, I change this to 100 or 50ms, so my machine stops if one drive faults before the part and/or tool is trash usually...

Uwe
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by RogDC »

Do you have the resistors installed per the latest Acorn/SDSK documentation for Step/direction/Enable?
Tlempicke
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by Tlempicke »

Yes I did put in the resistors and also have done a pretty complete job of EFI proofinf.

One of the problems I have had involved a very large toolpath. Am I correct in guessing that Centroid loads the whole toolpath into RAM memory just before starting the cut?
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by ShawnM »

What resistor value did you install? Can you please post a current report?
Gary Campbell
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by Gary Campbell »

If as you say, you are getting a 4 blink code, then one of the 4 options in the manual should provide the reason for the fault. If you connected the MSP software and it does say "RMS torque limit exceeeded" then you most likely have a mechanical bind in the Axis mechanics.

Assuming the Buddy X on a power stick (if memory serves correctly) they are famous for binding and causing issues.
What motor are you using on the X?
Is it set to 100% torque?
Was it tuned multiple times?
Was weight added to the axis during tuning to allow for weight of the blank?

It appears that you are getting a legitimate fault on the axis, so no, adding a C86ACCP will not help.
I amend my "guesses" above to Mechanical bind, possible motor specs not matching the loads, Motor Autotune and lastly EMI.
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Tlempicke
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Re: Random faults will a C86ACCP help?

Post by Tlempicke »

Thanks Gary
I think the light just went on and I will be following up on it. My machine has an E Chain that is at least ten feet long. The two Axes that have been deviling me (X an Z) run through that chain. So does the power cable for the spindle. So there is quite a load running through that E Chain. Power to each of the two motors, power to the spindle, power to the limit switch and probably something that I am forgetting. The spindle is a shopbot supplied item and the cable for it must be 25 feet long. My VFD is old enough that is must weigh 20 lbs anyway and is mounted on a roll around stand that has the computer, keyboard, etc. on it. I am hoping that the cable is shielded, but it was supplied by shopbot as a unit with the spindle, so I am going to have to investigate.
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