My PCNC1100 Series 3 from 2015 has developed a fault. The symptoms have changed slightly since the problem started last night. Here's the situation with the machine:
The spindle will not work in auto mode. At first it was erratically turning on and off/changing speeds by itself, now it doesn't respond at all. The VFD does not turn on in auto mode. BUT it does in manual mode. In fact manual mode works perfectly (initially it didn't, now it does after updating PathPilot to the latest version).
I've checked every cable/jumper for loose connections, plus the spindle door switch (which seems to be a common cause). I've also reinstalled PathPilot from the disk, and updated again to the latest version.
- Tormach advised me to measure the voltage of wires J1-1 and J1-2 on the main control board. This should change as the spindle speed command from PathPilot changes, but I measured a constant 0.22 VDC. In manual mode this voltage changes between 0.76 VDC and 5 VDC at the spindle speed is increased.
Page 200 in the troubleshooting section of the user guide details some things to check:
- "Ensure you have 115 VAC measured from wire 100 to wire 106."
Actually measured 126 VAC.
- "Make a jumper wire and momentarily jumper wires 106 and 107. If contactor C2 pulls in (you will hear an audible clunk) while you have the jumper on but drops out as soon as you remove the jumper, the holding contact on C2 is defective. If C2 stays powered on, the control board is not pasing the run signal to the circuit. Make certain you are commanding the VFD to run. If so, the control board is defective."
C2 does not respond at all to the jumper. Initially it did turn on and stay on, and the VFD also turned on (with no error code) but now there's nothing.
I'm in the UK running on mains voltage (measured at 241 VAC). I have the power drawbar and foot pedal, but no ATC.
If anyone has seen something similar, has ideas on what to test next or would like more information, please let me know! My mill is now out of warranty, but have had some replies from Tormach. Fingers crossed they don't give up on me.
EDIT/UPDATE: Tormach suggested removing the J3 ribbon cable from the control board as a temporary fix, but this had no effect other than to disable manual spindle mode.