Coms problem

[Bob Eustace]

Having a bad bout of comms problems. No rain for a month and humidity is only 30 to 50%. This is the only variable from when it was running error free. Its in an exceptionally clean air conditioned room. Would a humidifier possibly assist?

[garyc]

Bob...
Make sure that yur dust collector is properly grounded. Verify every connection. Take a peek at the attached docs, they may help.

[Ajcoholic]

Bob,
Our winters here (due to the fact its cold, and forced air heat) are dry as well. I moniter the RH % daily year round. It goes from a high of 87 or 88% in the mid summer, to the low 40's % just about now.

Actually, this winter I recorded a record low of 43% for the three winters I've been in the new shop (2% lower than last two winters).

Luckily, although I feel the static in the shop, I havent had any issues with the bot.

I was just talking to my heating guy, though, and am considering a humidifier system - probably for next season - to try and equalize the swing of humidity.

I am having some issues this winter with excessive wood movement. I am finding it one of the worst in years...

AJC

[myxpykalix]

Andrew,
I think the culprit is GLOBAL WARMING!:rolleyes:

[Charlie Iliff]

Bob:
It's a long shot, but I had comm problems that I ultimately traced to a bad fuse. (F4) Instead of failing open, the current limiting fuse ratcheted the current up and down on one leg of the 240V supply to the machine. The only indication of a problem other than periodic comm loss was the spindle fan a little slow to spool up on initial start in cold weather. Replaced the fuse and got no more comm problems.
Charlie Iliff

[Ajcoholic]

Andrew,
I think the culprit is GLOBAL WARMING!:rolleyes:

Well, it was -20 when I went to work today. WHere the heck is the warming? :)

[gerryv]

Any progress yet Bob?

Nothing else at all changed during that period? If not then possibly a wear and tear issue? Here's a few random guesses.
- Perhaps due to cable movement or the wire on your ZZero plate being flexed a conductor is breaking down inside the plastic coating?
- If there is a bare copper ground wire inside your dust extraction pipe to prevent static buildup, perhaps it's been worn away by constant dust abrasion?

[Bob Eustace]

Thanks for all the help - much appreciated! Running the humidifier ($70) and maintaining 60-70%RH. Now 48 hours without a sign of a glich on the same components cutting the same wood (eastern mahogany). Might be on to something maybe?????

Gerald - zero plate wires renewed 6 months ago when I nearly killed my wife with the clip flying into outter space! Now clip onto the spindle as advised by the forum.

Gary - thanks and I just about know those PDFs off by heart!

Charles - will look at that if it re-occurs. Had a horrible problem with glass fuses on motorhome solar taking three days to diagnose.

Andrew - thanks to you we clean up every night (will never catch up though!!!) Also having a bad time with timber warping etc. and put it down to no rain. Have those little hygrometers all over the shop (unbelievably only $2.45 on Ebay free postage) as you get widely varying readings. Last night we had bushfires in the south, north and west but as I write this the temps down to 16C and its raining! No wonder the poor old bots having a rough trot.

Jack - you could well be right! Your pet fox is trying to get into the kooooool!!

[shilala]

I throw a bucket of water on the concrete floor every day to keep the humidity up out here in the shop. I'd run a humidifier but I let it go cold sometimes.
It certainly helps with the static and those odd comm problems.

[ssflyer]

Bob,

Just a note re: spindle ans ZZero plate. I have the same spindle on my PRSAlpha, and it doesn't need the clip at all. The spindle is already grounded, unlike the router motors.

You may want to try it - saves some time and potential disasters. Of course try it first by simply touching the plate to the bit and making sure it works for you, before actually running the C2 routine. ;)

[Bob Eustace]

Ron,

Are you leaving the clamp permanently hooked on somewhere?

[ssflyer]

Nope, not connected at all...

[Brady Watson]

Ron,
This isn't 100% true for all machines with a spindle. Some have continuity & others don't, so the clip may be required even if it is just clipped to bare metal somewhere near the spindle.

-B

[garyc]

Ron, et al...
Many of the newer control boards have the 5 and 24V grounds isolated from the chassis ground. These boards require that the clip be placed on the bit to ensure proper continuity for the ZZero routine.

[gerryv]

Thanks Gary,
Are there differing, recommended ground wire(s) routings associated with the older and newer?

[Jerome]

I tried Ron's suggestion of not using the clip on my spindle. When I touched the grounding plate to the bit the light came on just like it would with the clip attached. I ran the Z zero routine without the clip attached and it worked fine.

Question
Can anybody see any reason I should be using the clip?

Jerome

[ssflyer]

I understand that they aren't all grounded, that's why I mentioned trying it first by simply touching the plate to the bit.

Jerome, since you've tested it, I'd say you are good to go.

Gary - Good to know; when did they change?

[Jerome]

Ron

Thanks for the info about the grounding clip. It should save some time but more importantly it is one less thing I can forget to do.

[Bob Eustace]

Update on using a humidifier - doing the same job with the humidifer OFF with the room reading 52% got comms failure at line 8700. I do think there is a definite link with comms failure and humidity and have started a daily log to confirm. Finished the job and have to wait for another long run.

[garyc]

Bob...
Sounds like you are close to determining that static caused by the lower humidity levels is a problem. The doc posted in #2 (above) should virtually eliminate the static if ALL the steps are taken.

This time of year (winter in US) there are thousands of ShopBots operating in below 30% humidity. Proper static control is a must for CNC.