one year with the Bot... do I "need" to update anything?

[Ajcoholic]

I have been using my Shopbot Buddy now coming up to my first full year. I have not downloaded anything new in terms of the programs (is it software, or firmware? ).

I come from the camp of "if it ain't broke... don't mess with it". I have never had any issues with the machine or my control computer. I do update my windows every once and a while but that's it.

Am I supposed to update anything from SHopbot, for the machine, or the control program? Is it absolutely necessary? I really dont want to update anything if I dont need to, and then have the possibility of issues. Like I said, it been running flawlessly ever since I started using it.

Advice and/or opinions please from those who really know about this stuff. Thanks!

[gene]

If it aint broke do you fix it ?

[Ajcoholic]

i dont think so, but recently (I cant seem to find the thread) I believe it was Gary who posted a maintenance schedule, and on the list of things to do yearly was something along the lines of updating the software or firmware... hence my question.

AJC

[jTr]

Andrew - I had that thought a few weeks ago. Link below was response I got. After looking at the bot with this in mind, I found a VERY loose roller on y-axis. Quite surprising, as I saw no drastic changes in cut quality...

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/sho...998#post139998

The remaining steps I took:
Remove oiler covers from all rollers - re-wet wicks with 3 in one oil.
Check ALL rollers for snug fit prior to replacing covers.
Remove all axis drive motors, clean excess grease/re-grease, re-snugging pinion gear to rails as you re-attach. Re-grease all rails. (I've done this 3 times since new in Feb -wicks should have been done that many times as well).
I would advise inspection of all wire routing, as I've found some that twisted surprisingly close to cables they shouldn't be near, even though they appeared to be properly tethered.

When I can make time, I plan to verify level & squareness of table. I'm sure I read about using the bot to lightly score 4 corner marks on table to measure, verify square and adjust accordingly. We're not newbies anymore - should be able to figure that one out on our own. ;)

In lieu of a printed schedule of steps, we can always crack open the manual and review all adjustments listed as part of assembly.

When it comes to software, I agree - if it's working, why fix it.

Can you imagine what we'll have built with our 'bots by this time next year?

I'm with you - just want to treat it right so it keeps doing the same for me!

Jeff

[dana_swift]

Andrew you have done more in your first year than many botters do in several. I have enjoyed your posts, and admired your creations.

Glad to have your contributions.

I have often said that buying a shopbot changed everything, because I was able to make things quickly and well that before I would not have attempted. It seems the bot has been that way for you also. You are applying it to home projects, commercial projects, etc.

Its an amazing machine, and you are an amazing contributor.

Just a note of appreciation!

***

As to your question about changes, just look around and be sure wires are not rubbing off the insulation somewhere, the gears all lubed, motors tight. Check play. Check gantry squareness, just to be sure everything is still running at spec.

I'm with you "dont fix it if it aint broke". Software changes can lead to some headaches. The problems usually dont show up until you have this rush job to do..

D

[Bob Eustace]

Hear, hear Dana. Reckon all of us who have come under Andrews magic all feel the same way. He certainly gets stuff done with about zero procrastination. What a spotless shop tooo. I feel soooooooo guilty!

[GlenP]

Well Happy Anniversary Andrew. Yes I also have enjoyed your posts and envied on how friggin clean you shop is.:D
What I recommend you should do is replace all your bits....they must be getting good and dull from all that cutting, from your nice and appreciative Canadian Distributor...lol
Seriously for maintenence I check, clean, replace, grease pinions and all moving parts and give everything a good once over. But I think you probably already knew that. As far as software goes I am one that takes the approach if it ain't broke don't fix it as well. I have done some softare updates only to remove them due to some issues. Every machine and environment is different so control software version that seems to work for others may give issues to others. At least thats the way is seems in my opinion. Make sure you update to the new Aspire when it becomes available.:)

[Ajcoholic]

OK, that answers my questions... leave the software as is :)

I do regularly grease and oil the Bot. I also check most of the bolts (especially the spindle mount) every once and a while, although I have not checked the pinions... will do that.

Thanks,
AJC

[donek]

OK, that answers my questions... leave the software as is :)

I do regularly grease and oil the Bot. I also check most of the bolts (especially the spindle mount) every once and a while, although I have not checked the pinions... will do that.

Thanks,
AJC

They say replace the pinions once a year I think. Although I got my first machine in 1999 and didn't replace the pinions until last summer. They were quite a bit smaller than the new ones and the everything it cut was just a bit smaller than it should have been. This was particularly noticeable when running ops on the same parts on two separate machines.

[Ajcoholic]

They say replace the pinions once a year I think. Although I got my first machine in 1999 and didn't replace the pinions until last summer. They were quite a bit smaller than the new ones and the everything it cut was just a bit smaller than it should have been. This was particularly noticeable when running ops on the same parts on two separate machines.

I thought the one year was if you use your machine 30 to 40 hrs per week.

Mine gets used in spurts... some weeks its 4 to 6 hrs a day, or two full days - but then it might sit for a few weeks barely doing anything (remember I do a lot of other work in the shop that may not require the cnc router).

I think my pinions will be good for a few years based on the hours. I might start logging my run time this year, to see exactly how many hrs use it gets. Some of my equipment has HR meters on it, so you know when to perform routine maintenance like lubrication, cleaning, etc.

I wonder if that would be something you could add to the Shopbot as it is already computer controlled?

AJC

[rb99]

Better would be a mileage counter so you would know how much travel each axis has done.

[bill.young]

Hey Andrew,

Information on every file that's run is stored in the sbsys.log file, including the elapsed time, whether it was run in Cut mode or Preview, and if it ran to completion or was stopped early. It's usually found in "C:\ProgramData\ShopBot\ShopBot 3", and can be enabled in the [VD] menu in "write system log" if it's not already turned on.

There's a very rudimentary program in ShopBot Labs called the "Odometer" that basically turns your sbsys.log file into a report that's easier to read. Someone with real programming chops could elaborate on it and create a pretty neat job management program.

Bill