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'''Spindle power''': 2.2KW, 3HP | '''Spindle power''': 2.2KW, 3HP | ||
'''Spindle type''': VFD based motor. (VFD is a commander SK from control tech [ | '''Spindle type''': VFD based motor. (VFD is a commander SK from control tech [[:File:Commander-SK-Basic-User-Guide.pdf|user manual]], [[:File:Commander-SK-Advanced-User-Guide.pdf|advance user manual]]) | ||
'''Max feed rate''': 750inch/min | '''Max feed rate''': 750inch/min | ||
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=== VCarve === | === VCarve === | ||
To create designs for routing, we have a makerspace-licensed version of VCarve Pro. This means you can download, install and run VCarve Pro Makerspace Client Edition on your home PC or Laptop. '''For free!''' | To create designs for routing, we have a makerspace-licensed version of VCarve Pro. This means you can download, install and run VCarve Pro Makerspace Client Edition on your home PC or Laptop. '''For free!''' | ||
Follow this link to create a Vectric account linked to Protospace: https://portal.vectric.com/organization/shared-invite/X6Ds8uH2G5HfJKP6xjKr Then after installing the free trial and logging in you will have full use of the Makerspace Client version. | |||
Once you've installed Vcarve, you can create files at home then export gcode from the licensed classroom and music workstations at Protospace. | |||
Tutorial for installing and using VCarve Pro: https://portal.vectric.com/organization/238/makerspaceEntitlement/469 | |||
=== Fusion 360 === | === Fusion 360 === | ||
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==== Spindle ==== | ==== Spindle ==== | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| | |Automation Direct | ||
GS21-23P0 | |||
|Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for Spindle | |Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for Spindle | ||
<small>(240V, 2.2 kW, 3HP)</small> | <small>(240V, 2.2 kW, 3HP)</small> | ||
|The VFD providers power to the spindle | |The VFD providers power to the spindle | ||
Mach3 speaks to the VFD using Modbus via an RS-485 card, configured in Mach3 to communicate via a dedicated "Brain". | Mach3 speaks to the VFD using Modbus via an RS-485 card, configured in Mach3 to communicate via a dedicated "Brain". | ||
So far, we have not been successful at receiving messages back over Modbus (e.g. true spindle RPM).<ref>https://forum.protospace.ca/t/wood-cnc-precix-help/3389/23</ref> | So far, we have not been successful at receiving messages back over Modbus (e.g. true spindle RPM).<ref>https://forum.protospace.ca/t/wood-cnc-precix-help/3389/23</ref> | ||
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In our setup, Mach3 sends pulses to the a servo driver which moves each servo while monitoring the axis' reported movement via direct feedback from the rotary encoder, at a resolution of 128ppr (x4 = 512). <ref>https://forum.protospace.ca/t/cnc-router-acting-funny/243/29</ref> That part of the system is “closed loop”. | In our setup, Mach3 sends pulses to the a servo driver which moves each servo while monitoring the axis' reported movement via direct feedback from the rotary encoder, at a resolution of 128ppr (x4 = 512). <ref>https://forum.protospace.ca/t/cnc-router-acting-funny/243/29</ref> That part of the system is “closed loop”. | ||
However, Mach3 doesn’t know if the servo kept up or not and if the machine is in the expected position. The servo driver knows if it went as far as it was commanded, but if the discrepancy gets too large, all it can do is raise an error signal or shut down the driver. When this happens | However, Mach3 doesn’t know if the servo kept up or not and if the machine is in the expected position. The servo driver knows if it went as far as it was commanded, but if the discrepancy gets too large, all it can do is raise an error signal or shut down the driver. When this happens, the "machine" no longer knows where it is and must be rehomed (Ref All) to the limit switches. | ||
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|- | |- | ||
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|V7-2B17D8-201 | |V7-2B17D8-201 | ||
|Limit Switches | |Limit Switches | ||
|One limit switch is used to find "home". Another | |One limit switch on each axis is used to find "home". Another limit switch at each end of each axis tells the CNC drives to "shut down, you've gone too far!" (see Troubleshooting, below) | ||
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|- | |- | ||
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==Troubleshooting== | ==Troubleshooting== | ||
===== "Logon method is not allowed on this computer" when trying to sign in to the computer with your Protospace username and password ===== | |||
Your account is not authorized/enabled to use this machine, have you taken the training? Did you pay for, attend on time and pass/participate in the training? Were you vetted at the time that you took your training? Did the instructor mark you as Attended? Please [https://my.protospace.ca/training verify your training records on Spaceport] and check in on the forums to update your account. | Your account is not authorized/enabled to use this machine, have you taken the training? Did you pay for, attend on time and pass/participate in the training? Were you vetted at the time that you took your training? Did the instructor mark you as Attended? Please [https://my.protospace.ca/training verify your training records on Spaceport] and check in on the forums to update your account. | ||
===== "ESS did not respond to wakeup message" Dialog box appears when starting Mach3. ===== | |||
This usually means the large black controller box for the machine is turned off, or did not have enough time to start before starting Mach3. | This usually means the large black controller box for the machine is turned off, or did not have enough time to start before starting Mach3. | ||
===== | ===== "The ESS has an invalid bootloader signature" Dialog box appears when starting Mach3. ===== | ||
This happens when Mach3 didn't shut down the controller correctly. Power off the controller, wait some time, power on, launch mach3 again. This can happen if someone is logged in with mach3 running in the background, comms are impossible, and a reboot has to be used. | |||
======Mach3 errors, gantry refuses to home/move | ===== Spindle refuses to spin ===== | ||
VFD (Variable Frequency Drive motor driver - big controller box near the floor on the South side (+X) of the machine) | |||
Green light -> Power. Switch is on small box beside the controller box. Circuit breaker is on the East wall labelled Precix. | |||
Red light -> Drive fault. Press the light/button to reset. | |||
Sometimes the serial port on the PC gets into a weird state and comms are lost to the drive. A full power off, power on reset of the PC is needed to clear this problem. | |||
===== Mach3 errors, gantry refuses to home/move ===== | |||
Power is on and e-stops are out? | Power is on and e-stops are out? | ||
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Did someone not log out properly and Mach3 has the port locked under another user? Try rebooting the PC. | Did someone not log out properly and Mach3 has the port locked under another user? Try rebooting the PC. | ||
===== Trying to use the Z probe and the machine dive-crashes into the table at 100mph ===== | |||
Well, don't do that. Something about the probe screen/script being lame and leaving the machine in the wrong units, from step 6 in quick start above: | Well, don't do that. Something about the probe screen/script being lame and leaving the machine in the wrong units, from step 6 in quick start above: | ||
6) Zero the Z axis using a piece of paper and ‘INCR” jog mode, or Z-PROBE. If using Z probe, first check probe speeds and distances in the probing screen. **Mach3 | 6) Zero the Z axis using a piece of paper and ‘INCR” jog mode, or Z-PROBE. If using Z probe, first check probe speeds and distances in the probing screen. | ||
===== Ethernet SmoothStepper ran out of data in the middle of a move ===== | |||
Briefly, run your file from the hard drive, and when your job is running don't mess with the computer. | |||
* '''Best Practices''' | |||
** Make sure your GCode is running from the hard drive. Never run GCode from a network drive or a USB stick, at some point, there will be a pause while trying to access the data and the ESS will run out of data! | |||
** Don't switch screens or applications while running GCode | |||
** Try not to zoom, pan / orbit the view port (3D preview) while code is running | |||
** Don't refresh your tool path while running GCode | |||
** Close all other software when running Mach3 (so they won't consume RAM or CPU time) | |||
* '''Advanced Options''' (consult with the Protospace local Precix experts before changing hardware/firmware settings) | |||
** Replace platter HDDs with SSDs | |||
** Run [https://warp9td.com/index.php/faq/faq-windows#HigherPriorityLevel Mach3 at a higher priority level]. This is done in the SCU's Windows Performance Tuning | |||
** Make sure that the [https://warp9td.com/index.php/faq/faq-mach3#MachThreeControllerFreq Controller Frequency] is set to a reasonable value. | |||
** Warp9 reports that electronic noise or ground loops from the dust collection or VFD may cause issues | |||
** Do an air cut and check how hard the CPU and RAM are working. If the computer is struggling, pitch an upgrade on the forum! | |||
For more details: [https://warp9td.com/index.php/faq/faq-mach3#RanOutOfData https://warp9td.com/index.php/faq/faq-mach3#MachThreeControllerFreq] | |||
===== The machine has lost its way ===== | |||
The driver/encoders can lose sync with Mach3 under the following conditions:<ref>https://warp9td.com/index.php/faq/faq-mach3#DROs</ref> | |||
* Mechanical Backlash (root cause is hardware) | |||
* Incorrectly configured Software Backlash Compensation settings | |||
* Pressing the physical E-Stop button while motion is in progress | |||
* Pressing the Mach software <code>Stop</code> button while motion is in progress | |||
* Improperly tuned acceleration or velocity settings that cause slippage on an axis | |||
* Power was removed from the motor drivers, and the axes drifted or moved from their set position | |||
===== | ===== Spindle won't reach all the way down to the table ===== | ||
Someone removed the 6 screws that hold the spindle motor plate to the Z axis and raised it 2 inches. Move it back down. | |||
===== You can help expand this list by hopefully not breaking the Precix too badly! ===== | |||
<nowiki>:</nowiki>D<br /> | <nowiki>:</nowiki>D<br /> | ||
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