[JohnLucas]

Any ideas about what might have happened here:



Line N96 had correctly finished. (97, 98 and 99 had also completed (I retracted the cutter before taking the screen print but Z was correctly at -0.2326.

About 2/3 the way through the circle at N100 the cutter plowed into the blank and an EStop was triggered. Ouch!



Using a Taig DSL2000 mill with Mach3 current release.

Thanks in advance

John

[awerby]

Your attachment didn't work, so it's hard to diagnose your G-code. But it sounds like you may have been trying to cut too fast or too deep. At least the system realized there was a problem and shut down before more damage was done.

[lsces]

Yep - getting page not found on the attachment ...
When I get prblems like this I simply try running the job in the air and see if it repeats. I presume that the cutter was suposed to stay at the same height? In which case did the Z axis actually move down? I've seen the ocasional problem when the cutter works loose and 'plows into the material' and we have had the ocasional report where the leadscrew nut on the Z axis has actually warn to the point where it's not actually supporting the head. Need a little more input to help.

[JohnLucas]

Sorry about that. Attachment in original message was updated. Also added picture of the part!

[JohnLucas]

Yes, the Z axis advanced 0.01" per pass and before I retracted it was at the correct depth. The cutter was not loose and there is little wear on the Z screw and nut.

I have added a picture (to the original post) showing how the cutter suddenly veered off track. I'm beginning to think this is more an electrical problem than mechanical. The controller/Mach3 seem to have correctly tracked the new course. The question is where did the new course come from?

Thanks
John

[JohnLucas]

A 5/32" mill at 4,400 rpm stepping depth at 0.01" and feed rate of 10

[awerby]

That seems reasonable enough; I can't blame your feedrate or DOC. You say the DRO updated the position as it went into that ugly gouge? That is unusual for a normal crash. It does seem like some kind of electrical noise issue might be to blame. Did somebody fire up a TIG welder nearby? Have you checked your grounding?

[John44]

No welder but there is a heater on the same circuit that comes on and off as well as my small air compressor. Grounding should be ok. I'm just under the limit for the breaker!

I was thinking of running the PC and Taig controller from a small UPS/Surge Protector. Do others do this?

John