[CFANDZ]

Hello all, I'm having an issue with my machine. I have the older Vcon machine with a CRP800-00E-8 nema 34 plug and play setup. On longer runs, sometimes my X axis (gantry) will stop moving. Mach 3 continues to run and my z axis and both Y axis motors continue like there is no problem. This problem has been plaguing me on and off for a few years now. It was intermediate so I never cared that much but just chalked it up to Mach 3. Problem is now a days mistakes like that cost me several hundred dollars as I'm working with much pricier materials and end mills. I have to get this fixed.

Recently I changed my PC from an older model to a newer one and installed the latest version of Mach 3 on Win 10. Previously I was running Mach 3 on XP on the old pc and still had the issue. So I know it's not my PC. If anyone can help with trouble shooting, I would appreciate it.

[kjk2002]

My first guess would be cabling. I would run some gcode that exercises the machine for a long time and work my way around the machine manipulating cables and connectors to see if I could make it fail. Something like a circular contour with a very small stepdown running at a relatively slow speed should give you lots of time to check out all the cabling.

[CFANDZ]

Well I did 2 runs each today, both over 2 hours and no problems. I'm thinking maybe noise from my VFD. It's just so random. It'll do 20 runs flawless then out of no where X axis problems. I loaded up mach 4 today. I think I'm going to try it for a while and see if the problem comes up.

[ger21]

Noise from the VFD would not stop one axis.
I'd first swap cables between the bad axis and a good one, and see if the problem moves to the other axis.
If not, then try swapping drives.

My guess is a cable or connection issue as well.

[Insect]

CFandZ, Quite interesting. I have had the same problem since 5/2020 when I bought the machine. Some of the following notes may be helpful to you in diagnosis.

Here is what I discovered:
Stepper motor with factory damaged winding, I took it apart and saw it.
Swapped motors and the problem went from Z axis to the X axis.
Then the problem started again on the Z after getting new parts.
Last night it started again on the Z.

Each cycle has resulted in Avid giving me new parts. Since it is intermittent, assurance of a fix is uncertain. They gave me: 1) new control box, 2) new drivers, 3) 2 new motors and a cable

It is hard to be certain what is up, I know moving a defective motor moved the problem (along with seeing the winding damage plainly).

Feel free to follow my document on the malfunction, here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing
The document reads from bottom upward chronologically. I welcome any conclusions you may infer after comparing the events.

[CFANDZ]

Hello Insect, looks like you have been through the wringer with this problem. Well today I was doing a probing action and again my X axis stopped, All my other axis and mach 4 kept going. I opened up the control box and the top controller was flashing red. No power was going to the motor. I checked the wire but didn't see an issue. The only thing that fixed it was cycling the power. Everything appears to be tight and secure in the box. I think I'll send Avid an email and see what they recommend. This problem is costing me money

[CFANDZ]

Noise from the VFD would not stop one axis.
I'd first swap cables between the bad axis and a good one, and see if the problem moves to the other axis.
If not, then try swapping drives.

My guess is a cable or connection issue as well.

Well it certainly is not a VFD issue. I was doing a probing run today and it happen, I did see one of the drives were flashing red after the stepper lost power. I'll swap that one with one of my Y axis motors. All though it's really hard to tell what driver goes to which motor.

[CFANDZ]

CFandZ, Quite interesting. I have had the same problem since 5/2020 when I bought the machine. Some of the following notes may be helpful to you in diagnosis.

Here is what I discovered:
Stepper motor with factory damaged winding, I took it apart and saw it.
Swapped motors and the problem went from Z axis to the X axis.
Then the problem started again on the Z after getting new parts.
Last night it started again on the Z.

Each cycle has resulted in Avid giving me new parts. Since it is intermittent, assurance of a fix is uncertain. They gave me: 1) new control box, 2) new drivers, 3) 2 new motors and a cable

It is hard to be certain what is up, I know moving a defective motor moved the problem (along with seeing the winding damage plainly).

Feel free to follow my document on the malfunction, here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing
The document reads from bottom upward chronologically. I welcome any conclusions you may infer after comparing the events.

I just looked at your video. I don't know if it is your issue but I know vacuums can create static electricity. I know when I was using a dust collection system I had to ground it. I know it will be messy but it may be worth trying a few runs without your vacuum hose.

[CFANDZ]

Per Avid, looks like I have a bad driver. I was informed generally when a driver starts to blink red it indicates it's going bad. I have one on order. I'll report back after I've gotten the new one installed and run a dozen or so runs.

[CFANDZ]

Noise from the VFD would not stop one axis.
I'd first swap cables between the bad axis and a good one, and see if the problem moves to the other axis.
If not, then try swapping drives.

My guess is a cable or connection issue as well.

As always, Gerry is correct. There was a short in a wire. I've had dozen of hours ran after the fix with no problems. I did also change out the driver.