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Thread: Machine flaky ..... 2020 ?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Lakin KS
    Posts
    316

    Default Machine flaky ..... 2020 ?

    I used my PRT standard Monday, everything worked just fine. When I was done and shut the shop down for the day, I turned the control box off. This morning I went to cut a file and I started the software program first, then turned on the control box. It came up with an error message.

    Invalid expression [special use only (20-340)&

    Thinking it was a problem finding the machine I turned both off and restart, but the same message pops up. I hit OK and it continues to start Then this error pops up

    The Remote Stop Button connected to input #4 appears to be on and needs checked
    (Or if an 'alpha' ShopBot, you may have forgotten to hit the reset Button after turning the control box on)


    Not an Alpha. So I check the Stop button and cycle it a couple times , still the error persists. I take the top cover off and check the switches (appear to be OK) put it back together and reboot computer and restart control box. The first two errors go away, so I think I'm ready to Zero the machine (Z) and start cutting.

    I give it an M2 12, 5 command and the machine only moves in the x direction, Y stays at 0. Even though the display says Y is at 5. I turn the control box off and restart the the program and give it a JH command. it begins then grinds to a halt about 4" away from the 0,0 position. I give another MX -4 command and get this message.

    X Axis Beyond software table limits !
    'OK' to temporarily Disable Limit checking and continue this file or Move.


    Now just any command I give it that error message comes up.
    What sort of demons have possessed my prt? I really would appreciate any help you can give me.

    Oh, I upgraded to V4,17 control board about a year ago.
    Tom Bachman,
    Drafting/Woodworking Instructor RETIRED!
    Lakin, Kansas

    2001 PRT4896
    https://i.imgur.com/xWEFfDk.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    River Fall WI
    Posts
    796

    Default

    I had an odd thing kind of like this a while back when one day our Desktop thought it was a PRS alpha and keep telling me to push the reset button (there is no reset button on a desktop). So, the short of it is I have to go back into setup and tell the PC that I had a DT and all when back to normal.
    Kyle Stapleton
    River Falls Renaissance Academy
    Math/Technology Education Teacher


    PRS Alpha 96x60 2.2 hp spindle, Double Air drills, 6" indexer, Fein 5 zone vac table
    Desktop w/spindle
    Potter Pen
    Aspire 8.5, Creo 3.0

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Diamond Lake, WA
    Posts
    1,746

    Default

    Ive had friday shutdown, monday startup issues since a bought my PRSAlpha in 2009. I'm convinced there are problems with setting files and config files being corrupted on shutdown on friday. Can't verify this, but it's the only thing I can think of that can cause this to happen. Machine is shut down all weekend.
    Don
    Diamond Lake Custom Woodworks, LLC
    www.dlwoodworks.com
    ***********************************
    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece; But to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, bank accounts empty, credit cards maxed out, defiantly shouting "Geronimo"!

    If you make something idiot proof, all they do is create a better idiot.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Springfield Mo
    Posts
    851

    Default Nice to see you back

    Tom, Nice to see you back. I am not much help on your problem but...

    I thought you once had sold your machine and given up on V4 but I could be mistaken....
    The decimal point seems to be the most important on the z axis... x & y not so much....
    ShopBot... Where even the scraps and things you mess up and throw away are cool....

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Lakin KS
    Posts
    316

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by curtiss View Post
    Tom, Nice to see you back. I am not much help on your problem but...

    I thought you once had sold your machine and given up on V4 but I could be mistaken....
    Didn't get rid of the machine, just worked went back to the original board and got it going. Then last year (almost exactly one year) the control board shot craps completely and more or less forced me to buy a V4.17 board. The old machine has been running pretty solid since then... until today. Posted my question on the FB ShopBot user group and got a suggestion to try.
    Tom Bachman,
    Drafting/Woodworking Instructor RETIRED!
    Lakin, Kansas

    2001 PRT4896
    https://i.imgur.com/xWEFfDk.jpg

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Lakin KS
    Posts
    316

    Default

    Ok, from the FB users page one suggestion was;

    The problem is, the memory on the board in the control box is holding on to that error. You have to do a few things...
    1)shut down your computer completely
    2) shut down the shopbot completely
    3)most important step...Go over to your circuit breaker box to the circuit that controls your shopbot and shut that circuit down, and leave it off for a few minutes. Then turn it back on, power up computer, power up bot.
    Just because you shut down your control box, that does not release the memory on the circuit board. This will do that. Do this and come back and let us know if that works.

    This solution worked...except I had to re-install the control software (well didn't have to, but thought it prudent to do so)

    Now the only thing not right is the Z axis moves about 4 x the distance it should... If I do MZ 1 it moves about 4" MZ .25 moves about 1". The X and Y axis move correctly. X and Y values are 1833.4650
    Z value is 2291.8310 I do have different motors on x,y than on z.
    Tom Bachman,
    Drafting/Woodworking Instructor RETIRED!
    Lakin, Kansas

    2001 PRT4896
    https://i.imgur.com/xWEFfDk.jpg

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Lakin KS
    Posts
    316

    Default

    Ok, I think I got it. The Value for z with my pinion should be 509.2956.
    Tom Bachman,
    Drafting/Woodworking Instructor RETIRED!
    Lakin, Kansas

    2001 PRT4896
    https://i.imgur.com/xWEFfDk.jpg

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