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IndustryArena Forum > WoodWorking Machines > DIY CNC Router Table Machines > Avid CNC > Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing
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  1. #1

    Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    My 1 week only avid cnc benchtop pro 3x2 with nema 34 motors has developed a strange issue where seemingly randomly one or more of the axis will lock up like in a crash. It has happened while manually jogging the machine, while the machine is running a program, and while the machine is going to a offset location like the MTC location or the work offset zero. Once it happened during a program, and i was slow to hit the estop so i noticed that after about a second of being "crashed" the machine kept working as normal but had lost a significant amount of steps. So far I've mechanically checked both x and y axis and found no signs of anything that could cause an issue like this. My wireing generally seems pretty neat, but all the slack is birds nested in a heap under the table the router is on. I havent run the windows settings optimizer thing avid recommends since i use my "cnc control computer" (laptop) as my main work computer too.
    Wondering if anyone has thoughts about what this could be. Thanks for reading!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Something may be binding.
    Acceleration may be set too high.
    Something in the PC may be causing it.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Hi AlpaccaSlapper. I'm having the exact same problem. And I even check the same things. Did you find a solution for your issue? I have AVIDCNC 4896 PRO with the same motors, NEMA 34.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1723

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    This sounds like EMI noise to me. Try moving the machine around with the power to the spindle removed. If it works correctly with spindle motor off it is clearly EMI

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by AlpaccaSlapper View Post
    My 1 week only avid cnc benchtop pro 3x2 with nema 34 motors has developed a strange issue where seemingly randomly one or more of the axis will lock up like in a crash. It has happened while manually jogging the machine, while the machine is running a program, and while the machine is going to a offset location like the MTC location or the work offset zero. Once it happened during a program, and i was slow to hit the estop so i noticed that after about a second of being "crashed" the machine kept working as normal but had lost a significant amount of steps. So far I've mechanically checked both x and y axis and found no signs of anything that could cause an issue like this. My wireing generally seems pretty neat, but all the slack is birds nested in a heap under the table the router is on. I havent run the windows settings optimizer thing avid recommends since i use my "cnc control computer" (laptop) as my main work computer too.
    Wondering if anyone has thoughts about what this could be. Thanks for reading!
    Take some photos of the wiring you either have a Ground loop or EMI, that could be causing this problem, a pile of cable can be a bad thing also, so try and tidy that up.
    Mactec54

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    222

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    I had an issue where the fully threaded "Tension Post Fastener" would catch on a misaligned "Tension Bracket" and at first the axis would appear to lose steps. (https://www.avidcnc.com/support/inst.../rpDrive/#4318)

    I have suggested to the factory that the M8 x 90mm Hex Cap Screw should partially threaded. Something like McMaster-Carr 91310A562 (the threading isn't long enough though)

    If you look at the tension assembly on the axis and push down on the head of the bolt (or Tension Post Fastener) it should push the pinion gear off the rack easily. It is doesn't move then the bracket is catching the threads.

    When that assembly fully freezes up from the bracket alignment engaging the threads you will get some serious play in the axis.

    While I haven't yet changed over to the partially threaded bolt myself, I am waiting for the excuse to do so. When I do I will use a lite machine oil on the unthreaded portion, nothing drippy though.

    As of today the tensioner assembly is on my "pre-move" checklist and I watch them like a hawk.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by subnoize View Post
    I had an issue where the fully threaded "Tension Post Fastener" would catch on a misaligned "Tension Bracket" and at first the axis would appear to lose steps. (https://www.avidcnc.com/support/inst.../rpDrive/#4318)

    I have suggested to the factory that the M8 x 90mm Hex Cap Screw should partially threaded. Something like McMaster-Carr 91310A562 (the threading isn't long enough though)

    If you look at the tension assembly on the axis and push down on the head of the bolt (or Tension Post Fastener) it should push the pinion gear off the rack easily. It is doesn't move then the bracket is catching the threads.

    When that assembly fully freezes up from the bracket alignment engaging the threads you will get some serious play in the axis.

    While I haven't yet changed over to the partially threaded bolt myself, I am waiting for the excuse to do so. When I do I will use a lite machine oil on the unthreaded portion, nothing drippy though.

    As of today the tensioner assembly is on my "pre-move" checklist and I watch them like a hawk.
    Only someone that has one would know this, so good information. can this happen at any random point in the travel??
    Mactec54

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    222

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    In the beginning when it first freezes, it will freeze at its highest point of travel. Thus it will introduce a tiny bit of backlash in the beginning. Over time the rapid changes in direction of the axis will push the frozen tensioner further open and the backlash will grow. As the backlash grows the axis will swing more wildly and yes, it looked very random to me. I had one side of my Y axis freeze up and since that side was swinging back and forth freely, movement in the X axis also introduced movement in the Y axis.

    Another quick way to check the axis are fully engaged in the rack gear is engage the motors and push and pull on each axis. Any wiggle in there is a problem. Then check the bracket and tensioner post has free motion. AND that the tensioner post returns to fully engage the pinion gear into the rack. Mine would push down but not return to fully up.

    Have you eliminated Windows from the picture? Keep networking turned off, uninstalled any antivirus. Turn off ALL programs in "Start at boot."

    Problems with Windows can look like "crashing" at random times.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by subnoize View Post
    In the beginning when it first freezes, it will freeze at its highest point of travel. Thus it will introduce a tiny bit of backlash in the beginning. Over time the rapid changes in direction of the axis will push the frozen tensioner further open and the backlash will grow. As the backlash grows the axis will swing more wildly and yes, it looked very random to me. I had one side of my Y axis freeze up and since that side was swinging back and forth freely, movement in the X axis also introduced movement in the Y axis.

    Another quick way to check the axis are fully engaged in the rack gear is engage the motors and push and pull on each axis. Any wiggle in there is a problem. Then check the bracket and tensioner post has free motion. AND that the tensioner post returns to fully engage the pinion gear into the rack. Mine would push down but not return to fully up.

    Have you eliminated Windows from the picture? Keep networking turned off, uninstalled any antivirus. Turn off ALL programs in "Start at boot."

    Problems with Windows can look like "crashing" at random times.
    I must be a lucky one as I have never ever had a windows problem, in over 20 years, I build my own machine computers though.
    Mactec54

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    222

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    I must be a lucky one as I have never ever had a windows problem, in over 20 years, I build my own machine computers though.
    That is good then! I found that no matter the machine, most Mach4 users are cutting wood and not holding a high enough tolerance to see the stuttering cause by Windows doing its thing. And that is "all good" as they say!

    You really don't need much of a computer to run Mach4. It isn't Mach4 that causes the problem anyways. Custom building a PC for running Mach is a bit overkill IMHO.

    I just upgraded to a MeLE J4125 running Windows 10. I wrote a custom plugin that looks and disables wireless when you hit the cycle start and reenables it on completion.

    You can pick them up for cheap here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by subnoize View Post
    That is good then! I found that no matter the machine, most Mach4 users are cutting wood and not holding a high enough tolerance to see the stuttering cause by Windows doing its thing. And that is "all good" as they say!

    You really don't need much of a computer to run Mach4. It isn't Mach4 that causes the problem anyways. Custom building a PC for running Mach is a bit overkill IMHO.

    I just upgraded to a MeLE J4125 running Windows 10. I wrote a custom plugin that looks and disables wireless when you hit the cycle start and reenables it on completion.

    You can pick them up for cheap here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    That is almost the same as the computer I build which I mount the same way on the back of a 12" monitor.

    I have a 10" touch screen tablet that run windows10 and runs any of the cnc software packages also.

    The stuttering you are talking about is call the jerk factor, which has nothing to do with the computer, this is a Drive and motor problem. when using steppers, you will always see this just the nature of the beast, I only build machines with Ac servo with 20Bit Encoders you never see the jerk factor with high PPR Encoders
    Mactec54

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    222

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    The stuttering you are talking about is call the jerk factor, which has nothing to do with the computer, this is a Drive and motor problem. when using steppers, you will always see this just the nature of the beast, I only build machines with Ac servo with 20Bit Encoders you never see the jerk factor with high PPR Encoders
    Yep, we are talking about completely different things

    I am talking about how an improperly configured Windows machine can cause starvation of instructions to the Ethernet Smooth Stepper. Makes for fun machining (sarc) until you nail down the issue.

    I have a touchscreen mounted to the frame and that is it for the interface.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by subnoize View Post
    Yep, we are talking about completely different things

    I am talking about how an improperly configured Windows machine can cause starvation of instructions to the Ethernet Smooth Stepper. Makes for fun machining (sarc) until you nail down the issue.

    I have a touchscreen mounted to the frame and that is it for the interface.
    That and a Handwheel is all that is needed

    As I said before it would have to be a really bad computer, for it not to be able to supply enough instructions to the Smooth Stepper buffer to keep it going.
    Mactec54

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    222
    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    As I said before it would have to be a really bad computer, for it not to be able to supply enough instructions to the Smooth Stepper buffer to keep it going.

    I am now more certain we are talking about completely different things and that is a good thing.

    I am really happy you have had a positive experience. That always is good news.

    To AvidCNC's credit their setup script does a great job of eliminating all of the known issues.

  15. #15

    Re: Avid Benchtop Pro Crashing into nothing

    Quote Originally Posted by AlpaccaSlapper View Post
    My 1 week only avid cnc benchtop pro 3x2 with nema 34 motors has developed a strange issue where seemingly randomly one or more of the axis will lock up like in a crash. It has happened while manually jogging the machine, while the machine is running a program, and while the machine is going to a offset location like the MTC location or the work offset zero. Once it happened during a program, and i was slow to hit the estop so i noticed that after about a second of being "crashed" the machine kept working as normal but had lost a significant amount of steps. So far I've mechanically checked both x and y axis and found no signs of anything that could cause an issue like this. My wireing generally seems pretty neat, but all the slack is birds nested in a heap under the table the router is on. I havent run the windows settings optimizer thing avid recommends since i use my "cnc control computer" (laptop) as my main work computer too.
    Wondering if anyone has thoughts about what this could be. Thanks for reading!
    Hi There
    Did you ever found the root cause? I have suddenly the very same Problem after about two years of flawless operation of the Desktop Pro with Mach3. It came from one day to the ohter and I have no clue where to search more.
    Thanks for any answer / hint
    Roman

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