Random Z axis plunge <com errors>

[CentroidFrog]

It looks like your communication issues have been sorted.
There are several ways of seeing the message log to which cnckeith was referring.
1. In the cncm directory find file msg_log.txt.
2. In CNC12 Router: F7 Utility > F6 User Maint > F6 Logs > F1 Errors.
3. In a report.zip find the urf.zip folder; msg_log.txt can be found here.

[mjgraber]

CentroidFrog, thank you for your response! I did view those error locations, just don’t know what it all means.

I was hoping that there would be a listing somewhere of all the error messages, that I could view and determine what might be going on with the router/acorn/computer.

Hoping Amazon delivers computer early tomorrow morning (most likely late in the day). Either way I should have the computer installed asap and will try running program again. As soon as I know something I will let you all know.

Once computer is installed and program runs with/without a z-axis drop , I’ll start the z-axis tuning.

You can view some videos on my YouTube channel (GrayBurrWerks) of the progress of the router build. Attached a few pictures.

Thanks again to all, for your help to a newbie!
Mike

[cnckeith]

Mike, be sure to run the Centroid PC Tuner on the new PC.
download and how to video is here.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... loads.html

and WOW on the RJ45 adapter and bulk head connector! it had no chance.

[ShawnM]

Once computer is installed and program runs with/without a z-axis drop , I’ll start the z-axis tuning.

Mike, the z axis does not need “tuning”, the stepper drive and Acorn are simply not configured correctly with the proper step/rev. Don’t mistake DIP switch settings with tuning. Incorrect settings on the steps/rev will affect how the machine cuts.

[cnckeith]

related reading.
viewtopic.php?t=1801

[mjgraber]

All,

Computer came in late as expected, I did spend a few hours going over everything today (Sunday) and setting up the new computer (updates, etc.). I did take screen shots of the wizard settings on the old computer so that I could input them easier and double check as I went thru them on the new computer.

I still need to set the backlash on each axis, and I did reset the Z axis turns and switches on the driver to match the other X and Y axis and set all backlashes to zero.

Bad news it gives more comm errors than the last computer and will not pass the hardware check or screen size using the PC Tuner. I don’t think the screen size is an issue. I delated quite a few programs (games, MS stuff, etc) and went thru TB 309 a few times to make sure I was getting everything correct. I’m using the same ethernet cable, so I feel confident that it is good seeing how comm errors were eliminated on the old computer. I did power everything down (computer and acorn) a few times as I went.

I will reach out to Centroid tomorrow and see if they have any input or suggestions on the recommended computer. It may well be an old link that worked on previous releases or may not work on the router module, or the computer manufacturer changed something. I kind of feel that there is some issue with the ethernet jack on the computer, just a feeling because that is one thing that changed and the ethernet adaptor that I had on before was causing a comm issue.

If Centroid doesn’t have any suggestions, I may try resetting the turns and redoing the switches on the Z axis driver to see if that has any effect. I may also hook the old computer back up and see if that resolves the comm issue. Otherwise I will try and return the computer. Any suggestions you all can give me as to another computer would be very welcomed.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

[Ken Rychlik]

It is possible that the acorn is the issue. I have an older board I got from Keith and I was going to use it on a test machine in my shop. I tried everything much like you did and could not stop the comm errors. I put another new acorn on it, and everything works fine. I would say I have installed around 20 of these systems and that was the only one to give issues, but it is possible.

[mjgraber]

Ken, Interesting…never gave that a thought. I wonder if there is a way to check the acorn to ensure that it is working correctly. I still lean towards the computer as the issue, due to the fact that the comm issue was pretty much resolved and reappeared when the new computer was added.

Thanks for the input!
Mike

[mjgraber]

All,

Good news today…I was able to solve the comm issues.

I decided to use the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method for trouble shooting the com issue. The biggest change was the addition of the computer. So I started there and decided to look at the most basic things that I could check/change and see if the com issue was resolved. I looked at how all the wiring was laid out going to/from the computer to the Acorn. I noticed that this computer had an external power supply and the old computer had an internal supply. I looked at the external power supply and noticed it was very close to the ethernet cable and port at the computer. I moved the power supply away from the ethernet port and cable (about 8 inches). I then ran the stress test and it passed. Could it have been that simple? I shut the computer and Acorn down and reloaded. I then loaded the “Connecting Rod” that Centroid supply's and ran it dry (no material), no errors. I then turned on smoothing and ran the program dry again, no errors. I loaded the 2- 3D program's (surfacing and roughing) and ran it dry with no errors.

The real test will be later today when I set backlash, check the hardware in PC Tuner (it did fail the hardware test yesterday) and run the 3D program with material. I’ll report what happens asap. Attached is todays report.

I almost feel like I hit the lottery with the solution on the first thing I tried this morning.

Mike

[ShawnM]

Your error log is STILL filled with com issues on your latest report. Have a look at it. Have a look at TB270 again with the new PC.
viewtopic.php?f=61&t=1451

I see you now have all three axis set to 4000 steps/rev which is correct. However, as I mentioned before, your overall turns ratio is far outside the "sweet spot" for a router.

1.095 for X and Y is practically 1:1 and no good for a router. You should seriously consider some gear reduction either with belts or gearboxes.

Your Z axis is 2? How is this possible? You stated you have a ball screw for the Z axis and I'm guessing it's a metric ball screw. Have you verified the pitch? I'd like to see the Z axis assembly and how it's configured.

Please start a google album and add ALL your pics there and share a link with us. This keeps all your photos in ONE place so we can see them rather than scatter them throughout your posts.

Also suggesting you change your screen resolution to 1920x1080. Other resolutions with a 16:9 aspect ratio will work but screens may be shrunk to fit.